Morning Focus Friday July 20

Barnardos is urging the government to make meaningful reforms to the child income supports system
The Children’s Charity says any changes should be focused on protecting children from poverty and supporting parents in employment
It’s after the IMF yesterday proposed that child benefit and the medical card be means tested, in its latest overview of the Irish economy
Minister Noonan says the IMF recommendation is only advice, and not a requirement to be included in December’s budget.

On Friday’s Morning Focus Catherine Joyce, Advocacy Manager with Barnardos, joined Marian Egan.

Sean in Kilmihil spoke with Marian to give his views that child benefit should be means tested

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Meanwhile, some of the IMF’s proposals have prompted an angry response from a group representing older people
ARI is calling  on TD’s to safeguard living standards for older people saying future budgetary measures must not impact negatively on older people’s quality of life or prevent them from living at home and ageing healthily within their own communities
Maureen Kavanagh- Chief Executive Officer with Active Retirement Ireland – said the elderly have contributed to society and they should not be made suffer anymore cuts

The country’s first National Carers Strategy was launched yesterday by Minister For Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch, T.D
Ennis-based Caring for Carers organisation said the Strategy, entitled “The National Carers Strategy: Recognised, Supported, Empowered”, included commitments from all Government Departments to meet the demands and needs of Ireland’s growing number of family carers of all ages, estimated to be around 187,000
Brigid Barron, Innovation and Programme Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, joined Marian in studio to welcome the strategy and explain what it means for carers
Contact Caring for Carers on 065 6866515.
 
Vince Cullen is an ex-alcoholic who has been associated with the Wat Thamkrabok monastery in Thailand and Buddhist-oriented drug and alcohol recovery since 1998
Vince provides a number of online services for addicts including the official Thamkrabok Monastery website and offers mindful recovery retreats in the UK, Ireland and Thailand
In 2009 Vince became a charter member of the Buddhist Recovery Network and established the Fifth Precept meditation for recovery group in Berkshire, UK
He is in Clare this evening to host a ‘Buddhist recovery from addiction’ weekend at Sunyata Buddhist Centre, Sixmilebridge
HE joined Marian on the line to explain what Buddhist Addiction Recovery entails and what he will be doing in Clare this weekend.

On our walking feature this week Maire Moynahan met Siobhan King to get a description of the Dromore Wood Looped walk she also spoke about the Walkers Welcome Hub and Activity Hub here in Clare, services linked with walks, accommodation, food, transport, interpretation, guides etc. and walking events in Clare

We took a look at some local events taking place over the weekend

On Sunday the 25 cyclists and support crew from the Clare Crusaders ‘Into the West’ Charity Cycle will roll back into Barefield after their 800km tour which took them to Roscommon, Belmullet, Clifden and back
The Clare Crusaders have organised a free family fun-day with everyone welcome – Gearoid Mannion encouraged people to come along

The fourth annual Doonbeg Seafood Festival kicks off today (runs until Sunday) The festival, which is the brainchild of the local community, reflects the great local fishing tradition and the emphasis in the local restaurants for the three days will be very much focused on seafood
Tommy Comerford of Comerford’s Pub had a word about what’s on offer in Doonbeg this weekend

Elaine Dalton of the Clare Woman’s Network and Alphonse Basogomba, Coordinator of the Clare intercultural Network, joined Marian in studio to encourage people to support the Clare Intercultural Network annual festival taking place in St. Flannan’s College, Ennis tomorrow

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