On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan was joined by Avina McNally, the Acting Director of the Small Firms Association to discuss the stark figures that reveal only a quarter of young people aged under 25 are working in Ireland. This figure is down from half before the recession. The stats released by the Small Firms Association also reveal that for every 10 jobs for young people that existed in early 2008, six have now disappeared. The association is urging the government not to impose any further tax hikes on employers or employees this year, as one of a range of active labour policies they’re suggesting to tackle youth unemployment.
Brian Whiteside is the Director of Ceremonies with the Humanist Association of Ireland and also joined the show to talk about how their services are in demand, particularly due to a delay in accreditation. A new law allowing for the legal recognition of Humanist weddings, which came into affect in recent months, is being hampered by shortage of celebrants. According to the Irish Times, the Humanist Association of Ireland has already received 600 requests in the first three months of the year, but they’ve had to turn many down as just one of their 11 solmnisers is accredited with the General Registrar’s office. It’s understood the hold-up at government level is in a bid to avoid having people profit from solmnising.
Also speaking to Máire on the show this afternoon was Jimmy Grady, one of the organisers of the annual Iniscealtra Festival of Arts which kicked off at the weekend – with a series of events running throughout the week. It’s a multi-disciplinary Arts Festival in the lakeshore village of Mountshannon and will highlight music, film, dance and visual arts. They will also host their annual green fair, an educational programme and participatory events. For full details of all that’s happening in Mountshannon over the coming days please visit http://iniscealtra-artsfestival.org/2013/
Today we also featured another instalment of our popular Calling Home series. Máire spoke to Helen Whelan, a native of Frehane, Mullagh – near Mount Scott who is now living in Manchester. Helen is a daughter of Miko and Margaret Whelan and left Mullagh in 1976 for Salford and Manchester to start her nursing training. She spoke about her experience of immigration and her life to date.
If you or a loved one is living abroad we’d love to hear their story – please contact [email protected]
Newmarket on Fergus girl Marie Donnellan is hoping to impress in this year’s Rose festival. The Clare Rose for 2013 – Marie will be taking part in the regional finals of the competition this weekend where she’ll be representing the Banner County. Marie is an Accountant with apple in Cork and has just returned from her travels, having spent most spent most of her time in Australia. She is secretary of Newmarket-on-Fergus Tidy Town Committee and has immersed herself in Tidy Towns duties since her return to Ireland. Marie is also involved with the Green Schools initiative in her local primary school in Newmarket. Marie was selected from 15 ladies from all over Clare and is now going forward to represent the Banner in the Irish Regional Finals in Portlaoise next weekend.
To contact the show please email [email protected]
