Morning Focus Thursday December 13

The first stage of the Social Welfare Bill was passed in the Dail last night – with the support of all government TDs
TDs and Ministers will vote later on whether to implement some of the most controversial cuts to social welfare payments announced in the budget
The Government’s proposing to cut child benefit by ten euro a month – and reduce the carers’ Respite Grant by 325 euro a year

On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Clare Labour Party Deputy Michael McNamara about his decision to vote with the government on the controversial Social Welfare Bill.
Fianna Fail Deputy Timmy Dooley also commented on the bill
Fine Gael Deputies Joe Carey and Pat Breen were unavailable to comment this morning. 

Ennis’ O’Connell Street will be pedestrianised this Saturday, and Saturday the 22nd, Sunday the 23rd, and Monday the 24th of December to encourage people to shop locally
The free parking for customers in Ennis Town Council Public Car Parks every day in December from 9am-12pm and free all day parking in Cloughleigh Car Park will also be promoted as an incentive to shoppers and as a way of giving back to the customers of Ennis who support businesses and the local authority by shopping local
John was joined in studio by Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber, Aoife Madden of Maddens Furniture and the Ennis Development Forum and Jean McCabe from Willow Boutique, O’Connell  street to speak about pedestrianisation and shopping local this Christmas.

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Sean Ward, Senior Engineer with the Water Section Clare County Council, explained what happened to the water main in Shannon yesterday
He said it is a very rare occurrence – last evening Clare County Council said that running water has been fully restored to the majority of homes and businesses in Shannon Town following a  major burst
Several thousand residents and businesses in Clare’s Second town were affected, and a water tanker was situated at Shannon Fire Station yesterday.

Plan Ireland is appealing for the population of Clare to support the international children’s charity Plan Ireland’s work in the developing world this Christmas
Plan Ireland has launched its annual Christmas Gift Appeal comprising of a unique selection of Christmas Gifts, cards and photographic canvas prints
In line with Plan Ireland’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign, the focus for this year’s Christmas campaign is the support of girls’ education and women’s food and economic security in the developing world
Damien Queally, an Inagh native and the charity’s Programme Manager spoke with John
See www.plan.ie or call 1800 829 829.

Morning Focus in conjunction with Gleeson’s Jewellers of Distinction at the Skycourt Centre in  Shannon are giving away a €40 voucher each morning this week
It’s to celebrate their 25th year in business – tune in for your chance to win!

A Christmas Concert is taking place in St Colman’s Church, Gort this Friday at 8pm
Funds raised will go towards St Vincent de Paul and the Social Services Group, Gort 
A group of them began to run Christmas charity concerts every year to raise money for local needy cause – this year half the funds will go to Gort Social Services Group run by Sr John – they provide diners and organise Christmas events for people who may be alone or homeless
Mossey Clabby, Organiser of the Gort Christmas Concert, urged people to support it.

If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]