Morning Focus Wednesday November 27

It’s claimed the economic situation is forcing more and more families into homelessness
Focus Ireland is holding its annual conference today – and says it’s seen an 18 per cent increase in people seeking support this year
There’s also been a 43 per cent jump in the number of people contacting Focus Ireland in an attempt avoid becoming homeless

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Midwest Manager for Focus Ireland Ger Spillane

Local aid efforts for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines are to be stepped up across Clare in the coming days
While people have been donating money, non-perishable food items and non-prescription drugs to venues in Ennis and the Skycourt Shopping Centre in Shannon, the Clare Filipino Community is planning to carry out collections in Kilrush, Kilkee, Ennistymon, Lahinch and Killaloe this Saturday
John was joined in studio by Maria Paz Maglaque, spokesperson for the Clare Filipino community who is living in Shannon and Ennis resident Vicky Garcia is from one of the areas hit by Typhoon Haiyan and only managed to make contact with her family three days after the devastation
To support the appeal contact 086 1712409.

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Noreen Keane lives in Clonlara – her eight year old son Ronan Wodehouse was born with Down’s Syndrome and had his discretionary medical card he has had since birth withdrawn earlier this year
Noreen and Ronan’s situation was first highlighted publicly when they protested outside the Fine Gael Convention in Limerick earlier this Autumn – after which the Taoiseach said he would meet with them (no correspondence at all)
Ronan also suffers with associated conditions such as chronic asthma, sight difficulties, hearing loss and thyroid problems
He needs a lot of medicine and GP visits and access to a medical card is vital as Noreen explained when she spoke with John
On Saturday last they took part in a protest walk in Dublin to highlight the situation for Ronan and all children with Down’s Syndrome
Noreen has a meeting with HSE officials this Friday and is hoping the decision will be reversed.

Ennis Councillor Pat Daly contacted the programme and spoke about the concern of many of his constituents about this medical card cull.

The Killaloe Diocese Audit has begun 
People affected by clerical abuse or child protection issues in the Killaloe Diocese are being urged to come forward ahead
The National Board for Safeguarding Children will look at child protection practices throughout Clare’s Catholic parishes and the Killaloe diocese, as part of a system of checks introduced in the wake of the Murphy and Cloyne reports into Clerical Child Sex abuse
A full review of local safeguarding practices will be carried out, and past cases of clerical abuse will be examined
Killaloe Diocesan Spokesman Fr. Brendan Quinlivan joined John in studio to explain and urged anyone who wishes to get in touch with their experiences to see www.killaloediocese.ie for details.

Oatfield Church near O’Callaghan’s Mills will reopen this Saturday
Restoration began ten months ago in a community wide effort
This is the oldest church in the Diocese of Killaloe – and one of two remaining barn churches in Clare as Joe Robbins, Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee explained to John.

Anne Marie O’Reilly of the Clare Citizens’ Information Service joined John in studio to answer listeners’ queries
Contact 0761 07 5260.

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