Over 600 people gathered in Ennis last night to voice their opposition to cuts in primary education across the county.
A fifth of Clare’s national schools are set to lose teachers this September on foot of measures announced in the budget, while local INTO officials warn that up to 60 Clare schools will be destabilised by the cuts
Last night Parents, teachers, community and political representatives raised their concerns on the effects further cuts will have on children and communities at a public meeting with Oireacthas members at the West County Hotel
The possible amalgamation of rural schools, less resource hours and rising pupil teacher ratios were among the concerns raised
The speakers at the meeting included Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes, Brid Finnegan, principal of Knockerra NS, Fr Gerry Kenny Diocesan Secretary to all National Schools under the patronage of Bishop Kieran Reily, Martina McCarthy a parent of Liscannor NS; Catherine Sweeny- National Chairperson of the Irish Learning Support Association and retired from CBS Ennis and finally Sean McMahon Mullagh NS Principal and Clare head of the INTO
Addresses also came from Clare Deputies Michael McNamara, Timmy Dooley and Pat Breen were in attendance, Deputy Joe Carey could not be there because of a family emergency- Paul Bugler spoke on his behalf. Senator Martin Conway also addressed the crowd
After the official speeches the floor was opened to teachers and parents
On Tuesday’s Morning Focus we heard what the teachers and parents said and John Cooke spoke with Clare Deputies Pat Breen and Timmy Dooley and Sean McMahon, Mullagh NS Principal and Clare INTO Spokesperson and parent Martina McCarthy from Liscannor. Spokesperson
Have your say on our online poll – Are cuts in pupil teacher ratios necessary due to the state of the economy?
• Yes- 38%
• No – 55%
• Don’t know – 7%
Solicitor Marguerite Philips of Cahir and Company, Ennis and Volunteer Solicitor – Free Legal Advice Clinic at the Clare Citizens Information Centre spoke about policies and procedures in the workplace.
Tubber man Albert Moylan is the founder MooMinder.ie and is a part time farmer and part time software engineer
MooMinder.ie is a system developed by Albert which allows a farmer to be notified via text message of physiological events of each cow in the herd. These events include Heat detection, calving, mastitis etc
Completed the prototype before Christmas- now they are working on getting it
ready and aiming to open for business next September
They have been receiving emails communicating interest from all over the world – their website has already got over 15,000 hits – Albert had a word about the product and his hopes for it’s further development.
Peter Young of The Irish Farmers Journal is a hugely experienced agricultural journalist for 15 years
During that time he has written extensively on dairying, beef and farm finance but more recently he has developed the On-off farm section that focuses specifically on innovation, new trends and starting a new business in rural Ireland
Peter is the keynote speaker at the LEADER Showcase and Seminar taking place tomorrow between 10 – 1pm at Imecofarm, Clarecastle
This is the second of four such seminars- he had a word ahead of the showcase tomorrow.
As part of its Anti Litter Awareness campaign 2011/2012 Ennis Town Council is now launching Personal Poop Scoop Dispensers
These fit directly on to a dog lead so dog owners wont forget to bring them with them
Ennis Town Council has reminded the public that failure to clean up after your dog fouls will mean you are liable to be fined €150 under the Litter Pollution Act 1997
Environmental and Traffic Warden with Ennis Town Council Nora Murphy joined John in studio to explain how this will work.
Frankie Coote- Clare ISPCA Warden- also joined John in studio for his weekly slot. Contact Frankie on 087 6225253 or the Clare pound on 6820393.
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