Morning Focus Tuesday April 2

On Monday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Clare’s Sean McMahon – Irish National Teachers’ Organisation incoming Vice President
Sean will be officially announced as vice President of the INTO tomorrow evening and said this is the realisation of a lifelong ambition for him
The INTO’s Annual Congress 2013 began yesterday at the Silver Springs Hotel, Cork and runs until tomorrow – John asked Sean about the main issues of concern for teachers, the Croke Park deal and school patronage in Clare

Shannon is one of 23 areas nationwide that will see patronage in one of its school change away from the Catholic Church
It follows surveys of parents in 38 areas by the Department of Education -a to meet what it calls immediate parental demand
Independent Councillor in Shannon Patricia McCarthy gave her reaction to John Cooke.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day

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Gearoid Mannion, Secretary of Ennis Voices for Autism (EVA) joined John in studio
EVA is a free support group for parents of children with any ASD- they meet on the first Thursday of every month – new members are welcome
The aim is to highlight the increased prevalence of autism worldwide, improve understanding and to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis and intervention
Gearoid’s sons Conor and Darragh have autism – he spoke about his family’s experience and the support of the group and encourged parents to come along – this Thursday at 7.30pm at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis
For more information on Ennis Voices for Autism text the word ‘Autism’ to 086 812 0055.

Sergeant Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer with Clare Garda Division, joined John to appeal to the public for information on crimes committed in the past week  – Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.

The Money Doctor John Lowe was on hand to offer Morning Focus listeners the best personal finance advice
He also spoke about minimum income guidelines and sign of things to come for those in arrears
Up to 100,000 families are currently in arrears of at least three months on their mortgages, while the average borrower in trouble has four other debts
The new minimum income guidelines will be issued by the head of the Personal Insolvency Service, Lorcan O’Connor, and Justice Minister Alan Shatter on Wednesday

Following the debacle of prescription charges north and south of the Irish border where prices could be up to 15 times more expensive down south, a National Consumer Association survey shows that price gaps for some drugs can vary from 37pc to 199pc in different southern Irish pharmacy outlets, depending on the mark-up and dispensing fee added on by the pharmacist

The Money Doctor was happy to answer listeners’ personal finance queries – see www.themoneydoctor.ie or look him up on facebook

Michelle Burke from spoke on Morning Focus almost two weeks ago about the situation herself and her husband William are in spending almost €1,400 a month on rent and a mortgage for more than four years, and remaining "locked out" of a fully completed four-bedroom house in a ghost estate
Since then she has organised a Killaloe Ghost Estate protest taking place at the Arda na Deirge estate in Killaloe this afternoon at 1pm – she spoke with John and encouraged people to attend and support them.

Legislation requiring all dogs to be microchipped is to be introduced by the Agriculture Minister it was announced last Thursday
Simon Coveney says it will take some time to put the necessary regulation in place and measures will be taken to ensure it is cost-effective
The micro-chipping will apply across the board and Minister Coveney’s said he wants a central database to determine the number of dogs in the country
Frankie Coote – Clare ISPCA Warden – discussed the necessity for this when he joined John in studio for his regular slot

He also reiterated calls for dogs to be restrained and musseled if necessary after last Tuesday’s death of 14-year-old Jade Anderson after she was attacked by a pack of "out of control" dogs at a house in Greater Manchester
Frankie says 90 % of attacks have occurred on dog owner’s own property – so people must be vigilant

Contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393

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