Morning Focus began with a look at stress and it’s effects. Stress is a fact of life for most of us – and lots of it can arise from work, or indeed the lack of it. Spare a thought then for our local public representatives who often hold down full-time jobs, while also serving the people of their counties. This situation prompted senator and GP, Dr Keith Swanick to survey the stress levels of members of county councils around the country. He foudn that almost half of those surveyed say they have experienced depression or anxiety, and almost 80 per cent feel their role as a councillor is impinging on family or personal life. Two out of every three councillors report experiencing mental stress as a direct result of their political role. The most common symptom reported by the 129 councillors who took part in the survey is sleep disturbance, experienced by 54 per cent. Almost half report low mood and 26 per cent anxiety. The research was presented to the Association of Irish Local Government conference this weekend and joining me now are two members of Clare County Council. Pat was joined by Cllr Mary Howard, FG, Member of Ennis MD and Cllr Alan O’Callaghan, FF, Member of Shannon MD.
As you'll have heard in our news services, Clare's suicide rate is continuing to climb, and is now at its highest rate in a decade. The 2015 annual report from the National Office of Suicide Prevention says the rate of suicide here in the last three years has climbed. The data 2014 and 2015 is provisional, but shows Clare as having one of the five highest suicide rates in Ireland. Nationally, the latest figures show a fall in suicides in 2013, the last year for which full data is available. Bernie Carroll, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention and Dr Billy O'Connell, Miltown Malbay-based GP, West Clare Taking Care both joined Pat on the line.
If you're in business – or thinking of setting up – you'll probably know how tricky it can be to make your way through the red-tape to find out what you really need to know. And let's face it, you need to know all about what funding is available and how you can access it. Providing greater clarity and easier access to sources of funding is a priority in the Midwest Action Plan for Jobs. The aim is to create one online platform connecting businesses to the right supports. With this in mind, Shannon, Ennis and Limerick Chambers have joined forces to bring funding providers together at an event in Shannon. The Strategic Banking Corporation are leading the forum and Pat was joined on the line by CEO, Nick Ashmore, Strategic Banking Corporation.
We then had Tommy Corbett, owner of Carey Corbett Financial Solutions Ltd live in studio to discuss personal finance, specifically retirement planning and pensions.
Industrial action by secondary teachers could see parents being hired to prevent schools from closing. The ASTI, which represents 18 thousand teachers, says it will hold 7-days of strike action on dates in October, November and December and will withdraw from supervision and substitution duties from the 7th of November. Fresh talks aimed at resolving the teachers dispute between the ASTI and the Education Department will get underway this week, as the Department of Education spokesperson prepares contingency plans to cover schools in the event of strikes. It's reported that one of the options being considered is hiring parents and members of the public to become supervisors for a fee of 38 euro a day. Paul Mooney, President National Parents Council Post-Primary, joined Pat on the line to discuss the strike.
We’re coming towards that time of year again where we are all asked to reach into our pockets and give just a little to those in need, well this is a charity you can help without breaking the bank. Team Hope are launching their Christmas Shoebox appeal for the Children in Africa, to tell us more about it I’m joined live in studio by Cathy Lock, local Clare Coordinator. Cathy Lock, Team Hope Clare Coordinator, joined Pat live in studio to promote the appeal.
Collection points in Clare are as follows, Final Date is 11th November:
Ennis
Axa Insurance, 64 Parnell Street 065 6865766
Tir Na Nog Toymaster, Unit 6, Quin Rd Business Park 065 684 2388
Clare Tyres (Fast Fit) Limerick Rd 065 6820248
St Francis Credit Union, Friar's Walk 065 682 8305
Ennistymon
North Clare Community Church, Lahinch Rd 089 486 7922 / 086 261 8868
Kilrush
Olde Creamery in Kilrush 086 157 2701
Scariff
Banes Shop 086 817 7649
Shannon
RSA (EMC), Bay 81/82 Shannon Free Zone 061 725 100
First Names Group, Suite 6, Rineanna House, Shannon Free Zone 061 364 350
Tulla
Vaughns Shop and the library
We then had our resident dog warden Frankie Coote live in studio to discuss this week’s topic.
We then had a familiar voice back on the show. Mick O'Dea is an Ennis native and internationally renowned artist and he joins me today to talk about his nomination for a major award in Irish contemporary art. Mick will compete for one of the biggest prize in Irish art at 'Vue 2016' at the Royal Hibernian Association gallery from November 3-6. The €5,000 Vue Contemporary Art Prize presented by Savills will be awarded to the artist who has produced an outstanding body of work in the last year or made some other substantial contribution to the visual arts in Ireland. Mick has been nominated by the Kevin Kavanagh gallery in Dublin where he completed The Split, a series of paintings exploring the tangled history of the War of Independence. Mick joined Pat on the line to talk about the award.
If you're yearning to get fit in the months ahead, our next item is for you. Operation Transformation is on the hunt for five new leaders to inspire the country in 2017 as it celebrates its tenth year. The show recruits ordinary people who go through an intensive fitness and healty eating programme and act as role models – or leaders – for those at home. Last year’s four leaders continued their health journeys long after the cameras stopped rolling and collectively lost 11st 3.5lbs since starting on the OT Plan in January. **If you think you have what it takes and want to change your life for the better log on to www.rte.ie/ot to download an application form. If you have any queries or would like an application form sent in the post, please call Helen or Elisha on 01 864 1444 or email [email protected]. The closing date for applications is 4th November. Karl Henry, Personal Trainer, Operation Transformation joined Pat on the line to talk about the show.
Imagine what it's like to be asked if you are 'contagious' because of a long-term skin condition. Well, if you suffer from psoriasis, there's a good chance that this is a question you've been asked. Recent research on the subject found that around one-third of people with the condition have had that question put to them. The Clear About Psoriasis Survey, the largest global patient research of its kind, showed that living with psoriasis has a significant impact on the lives of those with the condition. Almost 8 in 10 (78%) experienced discrimination or humiliation due to psoriasis. 62% of people with psoriasis say they are self-conscious of their skin and it makes them feel unattractive, and over half (52%) feel less confident about themselves. A quarter of those surveyed say they feel their psoriasis has taken over their life, while 31% avoid having sex because of their psoriasis. Sadly, more than half of those surveyed had given up hope of finding a solution. Here to tell us more about managing the condition is Dr Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist, Mater Hospital, Dublin.
We then finished the show with a package from Morning Focus’ producer, Fiona McGarry.
St Aidan's National School in Shannon recently hosted a very important visitor. None other than the astronaut, Commander Al Worden, touched down at the school earlier this month, to talk to pupils about his record-breaking career.
