Morning Focus began with a look at the news that secondary teachers are to strike with ASTI members voting overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action. 80 per cent of ASTI members voted in favour of a strike. The union's standing committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the implications of the vote and forms of strike action. Peter Quinn, ASTI regional representative, joined Gavin on the line to talk about the strike action.
Gavin then spoke about how it's been confirmed that ministers will NOT take a pay rise under the Budget. They had been due to get a 12-thousand Euro boost – over the next three years – as part of a pay restoration deal. Following public outcry Public Expenditure boss Pascal Donohoe is to ask them to waive the rise – meaning Ministers' pay will be frozen at 157-thousand, with no increases next year. Yesterday, Minister for Education Richard Bruton told the Dáil that politicians would lead by example. Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Political Correspondent, Irish Examiner and James Breen, Ind. Member of Clare County Council & former Ind. TD.
Back to the budget we spoke about how investment in childcare will need to quadruple in the next decade if the new scheme announced on Budget Day is to work. Parents of all children aged 6 months to 3 years will qualify, but only if they use registered centres and childminders. Early Childhood Ireland says staffing is a huge issue, and that will take increased funding. The organisation's now looking to clarify a range of issues, including the following:
* How the administrative and IT systems and supports being designed for the Affordable Childcare Scheme will reduce the burden on providers, and make it easy for parents.
* What will be required of parents to avail of the targeted support.
* How the recognition of seven days ‘non-contact time’ will be administered and paid to providers.
Teresa Heaney CEO Early Childhood Ireland joined Gavin on the line to discuss the matter.
Clonlara meet Ballyea in the Clare Senior Hurling Final. Gavin was joined live in studio by Colm Honan, Chairperson of Clonlara Hurling Club, Pat Conlan, father of the current captain, Pat Moylan, Chairperson of Ballyea Hurling Club, Mike O’Neill, Driving Member of the Finance Committee and Clare FM’s own Derrick Lynch.
Bob Dylan has won the Nobel Prize for literature. The American singer songwriter won “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. Colm O'Hare Hotpress joined Gavin to talk about the legend.
We then had our Arts RoundUp with Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer.
Next we had the roundup of weekend events:
Oidhreacht an Chlair presents A Night of Song with..
Anne Lynch, Sean Lyons, Micheál Marrinan, Tim Dennehy & Róisín White, Date/Time: Friday, 14th October @ 8pm – 10pm
Location: OaC, Flag Road, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
(ADMISSION FREE)
Second Event: (OaC) presents Éamonn Ceannt: A Piper Rising by Verena Commins (International Piping Day Event)
Date/Time: Saturday, 15th October @ 8:30pm
Location: OaC, Flag Road, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
(ADMISSION FREE)
We also had Anne Marie Flanagan, Disability Advocate, on talking about the late Martin Naughtan.
Following this we had The Friday Panel, topics discussed were
* Budget 2017
* TD's Pay Rise
* Cross Border Shopping
* Donald Trump
Doirín Graham, Clare Local Development Company, Ronan Judge, Journalist with Clare People and Diarmuid McMahon, MD Sherry Fitzgerald all joined Gavin in studio.
To finish up the show we had a few members from the Tulla Pipe Band live in studio with Gavin discussing their 80th anniversary and playing some live music for the listeners.
