On The Afternoon Show today Máire Moynahan spoke with Niamh O’Cheallaigh, spokesperson for PACUB – Parents Against Cuts to Child Benefit. The National Women’s Council says proposed cuts to child benefit in the budget will make children pay for the mistakes of others. The group has made an appeal to the government ahead of next week’s budget – not to cut the payment made to parents. It comes amid reports in today’s Irish Independent, claiming child benefit is to be cut by 10 euro a month in next weeks budget.
Michelle McKeown Bennett is the Head of Department of Applied Science at the Limerick Institute of Technology. She joined the show to discuss how a research project, which was developed at the Limerick Institute of Technology, has pulled off a major international coup by being chosen to travel and be tested on the International Space Station next year. Also joining the programme was Professor Gary Stutte from the Kennedy Space Centre who described the workings of the project.The LIT project is entitled ‘Symbiotic Nodulation in a Reduced Gravity Environment’ examined how a ‘clover like’ naturally occurring bacteria fertilizes plants, and how the process can be improved. The results of the research may lead to a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilizers, with significant benefits for the global community
Brian Hynes is with the Irish Farmers Journal and he spoke to the show to update farmers on the Schmallenberg virus, which has now been confirmed in 11 herds by the Department of Agriculture. In addition to these confirmed cases, blood samples taken from herds in Cork and Wexford have tested positive for virus’ antibodies which means that the animals were bitten by an infected midge in recent months.
Joanne Callanan is from Camara Education, an Irish based charity and social enterprise that works to deliver digital literacy skills to schools in disadvantaged communities through the reuse of technology. She spoke to Máire ahead of World Computer Literacy Day this Sunday. Camara, who have delivered digital literacy to nearly 500,000 children in disadvantaged communities around the world, are asking people to give up technology for the day to highlight the digital divide that still exists in the 21st century.
Oonagh O’ Dwyer from Ennistymon also let listeners know about a special Green Christmas Craft Fair, which is taking place at the Ennistymon Enterprise Centre on Saturday from 11 to 4pm. Come along and make your own Christmas presents and decorations from unwanted or recycled material or junk! There’ll be a campfire, music and lot’s of festive good cheer
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