Morning Focus began with a look at the pope. It’s been confirmed that Pope Francis will pay Ireland a visit in 2018 after an official invitation was extended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny after a meeting between the pair in the Vatican yesterday morning. However there’s hope that his holiness may stop off in Clare while he’s here as Pope Francis is technically the Bishop of Kilfenora under a Papal Dictate that goes back as far as 1883. Gavin was joined on the line by Michael Kelly, Journalist with the Irish Catholic Newspaper, and John Morgan, Resident of Kilfenora.
Morning Focus began with a look at the pope. It’s been confirmed that Pope Francis will pay Ireland a visit in 2018 after an official invitation was extended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny after a meeting between the pair in the Vatican yesterday morning. However there’s hope that his holiness may stop off in Clare while he’s here as Pope Francis is technically the Bishop of Kilfenora under a Papal Dictate that goes back as far as 1883. Gavin was joined on the line by Michael Kelly, Journalist with the Irish Catholic Newspaper, and John Morgan, Resident of Kilfenora.
Ennis Injury Unit is one of 11 Injury Units now in place across the country. Located at Ennis hospital, it’s open 7 days a week from 8 to 8 and can treat both adults and children aged 5 and over. 9060 patients attended Ennis Injury Unit last year and the HSE is urging more of the public to avail of it. Gavin was joined by Dr Cormac Mehigan, Consultant, Ennis Injury Unit.
Next Morning Focus turned to job skills. The Mid-West will this Thursday (December 1st) begin addressing its best challenge in decades – solving the skills needs created by the flood of inward and indigenous investment. Led by the Mid-West Regional Skills Forum – a department of education & skills initiative aimed at ensuring educational skills supply are meeting enterprise talent demand – the campaign commences with a business breakfast on Thursday morning to identify IT skills needs and critical shortages emerging in the region and collaboratively delivering solutions required to meet them. Orlaith Borthwick, Regional Skills Manager, Mid-West, joined Gavin on the line.
Following this we had our Financial Aid Segment with Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.
The HSE is aware of recent commentary regarding the recruitment and retention of GP’s specific to the Mid West. Recognising recruitment has been difficult in some areas, particularly remote or small rural parts, the HSE is equally concerned that a perception doesn’t develop of major reductions in the numbers of GP’s available to the public. Gavin had the chance to speak with Bernard Gloster, HSE Mid West Chief Officer.
Details of Tourism Ireland's 2017 marketing plan to promote the country overseas are being launched on Monday. This year is set to be a record one for Irish tourism with 10.5 million people visiting the island. Gavin was joined by the CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons.
After this we had our weekly segment with Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden.
Now we have some exciting news, we’re always talking about them, there’s something on there all the time. Glór here in Ennis is celebrating being 15 years old. We’re excited for them and to tell us more about the venue and its 15 years Gavin was joined by Orla Flanagan, director at Glór.
‘Banni’ was a Belarussian boy who was taken into the home by Colm and his family in 2000. He quickly became part of their lives, and while he was meant to stay for only one week, he ended up staying 18 months. The family attempted to adopt him, but their application was never granted on the Belarussian side and Banni was taken back to an orphanage there, even though he had improved so much during his time in Ireland. This summer, Colm travelled to see the brother he nearly had and his story will be aired on RTE Two on Wednesday night at 9:30. Colm Flynn came on the show to tell his story.
And to finish the show the Ennis Track Athletics Club are celebrating their 25th anniversary and the mark the occasion they are releasing a book which details the clubs history, the launch is this Friday the 2nd and to tell us more Gavin was joined by Rory Chesser and Deirdre Daly both long time club members.
