On Wednesdays Morning Focus John began the show by speaking to Joan Burton, Minister for Social protection as the government has been discussing a new plan to eradicate long-term homelessness in Ireland, as a local charity outlines the seriousness of the problem here in Clare. The Social Protection Minister has ruled out any increase in rent supplements before the next Budget. Joan Burton says any increase in the current caps would have to be considered when Budget 2015 is drawn up later this year. Her Labour colleague, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, says providing emergency accommodation is the priority – rather than "chasing rents".
Up next John spoke to teachers and parents about their fears regarding rural schools in Clare. Pat McNamara is the Principle in Flagmount National School. Pat got in touch last week after John spoke to the Education Minster about small rural schools. He feels schools should be given a couple of years to recoup the numbers of children starting at the school before cutting teachers. If it's a trend over 5 years then maybe yes cut teachers but it may just be that for one year the numbers are 1 under the quota, it's not fair to cut a teacher based on that. Aideen Flynn is a teacher in Sixmilebridge, her children go to Dangan National School which is a 2 teacher school. Aideen got in touch with the show as she said she is frustrated at the current status of the "small school" in the media and thus the local communities.
Dr Allan Mee, Project Manager of the White-tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Programme spoke to John as white-tailed eagles have successfully hatched chicks in Clare in recent weeks. Fourteen pairs of eagles are holding territories across four counties with at least seven pairs nesting and laying eggs. In the last two weeks the first chicks of 2014 hatched in nests at Mountshannon, and at Glengarriff in West Cork. Other pairs are nesting at sites in Kerry and Galway but have yet to hatch. In the last two weeks a pair was confirmed to have hatched chicks at a nest near Mountshannon. This pair created history in 2013 when they reared the first chicks to fly from a nest in Ireland in over 100 years.
Three sitting Clare County Councillors joined John in studio to reflect on their careers in politics over the past number of years as they prepare to close the door on public life. Outgoing Clare Councillors Sonny Scanlon, Tommy Brennan and Michael Kelly spoke to John about their careers and their thoughts on the changes inpolitical life over the past number of years.
A Clare hurling legend is included in a star studded line up for Sky Sport's GAA coverage. Programmes will be fronted by Rachel Wyse of Sky Sports News and former rugby player Brian Carney. Jamsie O'Connor is joined by Tipperary's Nicky English for Hurling – while Tyrone legend Peter Canavan will be the lead football analyst, joined by former All-Star Paul Earley. Jamsie joined John in the Clare FM studio to chat about his new appointment.
Paul Wolfe of the Clare Citizens' Information Service was in studio to answer listeners' social welfare, employment and consumer law queries.
Contact Clare Citizens' Information Service on 076 1075260.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.