MORNING FOCUS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4TH
The Christmas bonus is partially restored to over 27,500 long-term social welfare recipients in Clare this week. This figure includes more than 13,300 pensioners in Clare as well as people with disabilities, carers, lone parents, and long-term jobseekers. Overall, the campaign targets 80,000 pensioners nationwide throughout November and December through a series of information leaflets, local radio interviews and social media activity. Minister Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State at the Department of Health and the Department of Justice, joined John to discuss issues ranging from the reinstating of the Christmas bonus to elderly care.
A report into Ireland's ambulance services has highlighted a range of issues, from poor response times to the risk of older vehicles breaking down. The mammoth report, published today by the Health and Information Quality Authority, is recommending for some patients not to be brought to hospital, and instead treated at the scene or over the phone as well as a host of other recommendations to try and improve the service. Mick Dixon Chairman of The National Ambulance Service Representative Association outlined his concerns for the service with John.
GARDAI are calling on the public to get freezing' for a reason this December and sign up for their annual charity Polar Plunge. Garda organisers are calling on volunteers to leap into the lake at the University of Limerick Adventure Centre in Killaloe, Co Clare, on Sunday December 7th. Similar Polar Plunges will also take place in locations around the country in December as part of a fundraising drive to raise funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities and help support a team of 88 Irish athletes heading to the Special World Summer Games in Los Angeles next summer. Garda Hilda Moloney, who taking on the polar plunge was in studio to discuss the charity drive
Dairy farmers have called on European Union Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan to significantly increase the EU intervention price for milk to avert a major crisis for rural Ireland next year.It follows a forecast of a 50% fall in dairy incomes next year.
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association President John Comer said every parish in Ireland will be affected and consumers will lose out in the long-run if dairy farmers are forced out of business.Yesterday's forecast from Teagasc of a disastrous year ahead for dairy farmers has sent shock waves throughout rural Ireland. Martin McMahon of the ICMSA and Trevor Donlan an economist with Teagasc debated the report with John
Long term measures to make Ennis Car Free could be up for discussion in the New Year. Ennis Councillors is to enter discussions with the local Chamber of Commerce on parking and pedestrianisation in January. For now, it's been agreed that O'Connell Street in the town will be car-free for the main business hours of December 20th 21st, 23rd and Christmas Eve in a move that local representatives believe will bring more shoppers to the county town. Cllr Johnny Flynn , Mayor of Ennis spoke to john about the Christmas parking and pedestrian arrangements for the town.
The communities of Tuamgraney and Scarrif have participated in series of workshops aimed at helping householders to reduce the estimated €700 worth of food that is wasted annually in every Irish home.Clare County Council, in conjunction with the Stop Food Waste campaign, recently ran four workshops covering a range of issues including meal planning, smart shopping, awareness of what is being wasted, and proper food storage and composting methods. Joan Tarmey Environmental officer with Clare County Council joined John to discuss the project and the problem of food waste
And finally John spoke with Mary Maloney fund raising officer with Cahercalla nursing home and hospice ahead of their Santa Grotto fundraiser event in the west county this Saturday the 13th of December.
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