On todays Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
Katherine Donnelly, the Education Editor for the Irish Independent joined Gavin to discuss the use of technology in classrooms. A new report suggests technology in classrooms may not have a positive impact on children's learning and is detrimental in some cases. The OECD has measured the impact of computer and internet use on test scores and found no real improvement in countries that had invested heavily in technology for education. It also found that intensive use can lead to problems like "information overload" and tends to be associated with significantly poorer student performance.
Fine Gael Councillor Joe Cooney discussed the deterioration of the roads around the county. The Bodyke based Councillor discussed the Local Improvement Scheme with Gavin. Also joining them was Councillor Gerry Flynn from Shannon. The roads in the county are quite a big issue, the councillors are hoping the Local Improvement Scheme will develop the roads to a better condition.
Minister Alan Kelly, who is the Minister for the Environment, talked about the labour Think In, Irish Water, Homelessness and the general election as well as the Lough Derg Project. He also told Gavin that he thinks there should not be a 'Mayor of Clare'.
Many people in Ennis have been ringing Clare FM in the past few days as they are without electricity. Michael Quinn from Francis Street, Ennis rang initially to tell us about the lack of power he had been receiving. Airtricity gave a statement explaining the reason and issuing an apology.
Maria Malone is a County Clare mother to a 6 year old boy who contracted Meningococcal B Septicaemia in June of this year. She is urging the government to introduce Meningitis B vaccine for the people of Ireland. Maria Malone told Gavin she wants to make people aware of meningitis by sharing her first-hand experience of the disease during Meningitis Research Foundation’s national Meningitis Awareness Week (14 -20 September 2015). Caroline O Connor from the Medical information office in the Meningitis Research Foundation, Dublin also spoke about the disease. Helpline – 1800 41 33 44.
From Clare to Calais was set up just over two weeks ago as part of a Cork initiative and since them a large number of volunteers have offered up their cars or vans to transport goods to the french port, while Irish Ferries and Stenaline are sponsoring ferry costs. They are set to make their trip over at the beginning of next month. Gavin spoke with Roisin Garvey who is the Clare to Calais Project Coordinator. She said monetory donations are still accepted.
Have you read the 'Clare with the Hair' blog? Shannon mother of two and IT worker Clare McCarthy runs the popular 'clairewiththehair' blog covering topics related to health and fitness, food and fashion. She’s recently competed as a finalist in the UK Blog Awards 2015 in the Food and Lifestyle Category. She also contributes to RSVP Magazine. She spoke on the show about the attitude Irish people have about their jobs. She said that eight out of ten people hate their jobs in Ireland.
County Dog Warden, Frankie Coote, the Clare ISPCA Officer joined Gavin and told him about some of the ill treatment of animals during the past week. A cat was shot in Ennis, a dog was found dead in a bag in Shannon and there is a rise in the amount of bull breeds getting abandoned in Clare lately.
“Motivate a New You” – have you been thinking of losing weight or eating better? John Whyte from Motivation Weight Management and Shane O Donohoe from The West County Gym spoke to us about diet and getting started on a fitness regime before the Christmas season.
Garda Sandra Heelon from the Ennis Garda Station came on the show to talk about the young leaders in Co. Clare who will be honoured for their outstanding civic awareness and contribution for the first time in a special Garda Siochana led competition which now open for nominations. The inaugural Clare Garda Division Youth Awards, the winners of which will be unveiled at a special event at the West County Hotel, Ennis on December 3rd next have been established by the county’s Community Policing Unit to recognise the selfless efforts of six individuals and one group towards others and/or their community. Entry forms for the competition are now available and can be accessed on the Garda Siochana website www.garda.ie or at the website of awards sponsors Shannon Airport www.shannonairport.ie.The awards are open to teenagers from ages 14 to 19 from across the county, with a separate award for a group of young people involved in community activity. The closing date for entries is Wednesday, September 30th.
The Clare Outdoor Club is celebrating 30 years this month. Breda Duggen from Barefeild has been a member for 15 years, she was joined on the Morning Focus with Phil Maloney from Ennis who is a former member of the Clare Outdoor Club.In celebration of their 30th anniversary, the club are holding a photo exhibition and information in the Old Ground Hotel Ennis tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 7.30 PM. The ladies give us an insight into the club, it is not just local or national excurtions but international also from the Himalaya mountains to trekking the Burren.
