Morning Focus once again opened with water charges. The water charges issue is a controversy that doesn't show signs of going away any time soon. And, as many listeners to this show have pointed out, rural dwellers on group water schemes already pay for their water, while charges for other domestic customers have (for the moment) been waived. Well now, the organisation representing cattle and sheep farmers is calling for tax credits to compensate those in rural Ireland who have to pay for water.
Morning Focus once again opened with water charges. The water charges issue is a controversy that doesn't show signs of going away any time soon. And, as many listeners to this show have pointed out, rural dwellers on group water schemes already pay for their water, while charges for other domestic customers have (for the moment) been waived. Well now, the organisation representing cattle and sheep farmers is calling for tax credits to compensate those in rural Ireland who have to pay for water. The ICSA has described as 'unconscionable' the fact that people in rural areas should pay twice for their water while others pay nothing. Gavin was joined on the line by Seamus Sherlock, ICSA Rural Development Chairperson.
An additional 30 people are to be employed at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in the wake of a new investment there. A one million euro upgrade has been completed at the site, including a new retail store and brand, as well as a new café and other attractions. It has been officially opened by the Minister for Tourism Patrick O'Donovan, and has been hailed as an attraction for visitors as well as a showcase for local craft entrepreneurs. Gavin spoke with CEO of Shannon Heritage John Ruddle and Minister for Tourism Patrick O’Donovan.
Gavin then spoke about parking in hospitals. Finding a parking space – whether it's to shop or to pick the kids up from school – can be a challenge at the best of times. But, if you're going to hospital, say, for cancer treatment, it can be particularly stressful. And, according to the Irish Cancer Society, it can add extra costs for patients. The society has just launched a campaign calling on hospitals to waive parking charging for cancer patients across the country. Its latest report shows that hospitals in Munster had the second highest costs in the country for a four hour stay at €6.70. The two main centres of excellence for cancer patients in Clare have varying charges. According to the report, University Hospital Limerick charges €2 for one hour's parking with a charge of €4 for four hours and €10 for 24-hour parking. Meanwhile, at University Hospital Galway, the charge for one hour is €2, with a charge of €8 for four hours and €9/10 for 24-hours or a multi-trip ticket. Gavin was joined on the line by Paul Gordon, Policy Officer for the Irish Cancer Society.
Next on the show we had Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions giving financial advice for buying gifts this Christmas.
Talk then turned to job security. Nearly half of the Irish workforce is worried about losing their job. That's one finding from research by Aviva, which says that overall, family finances have yet to recover from several years of austerity. The company says many people acknowledge an economic recovery is underway, but a majority haven't yet felt it. Gavin was joined by Anne O’Keefe, Actuary at Aviva Life and Pensions.
Next on the show we discussed gender quotas for Sports Boards. Sports groups have been warned to hire more women or face funding cuts. Minister Patrick O'Donovan wants new gender quotas which would mean a third of all board members will be female. Gavin spoke with Marie Crowe, Sports Presenter with UTV Ireland.
Following this we had our weekly segment with Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden.
Morning Focus then turned to the Jack and Jill foundation. Over last 2 decades, it's been providing vital home nursing care to sick children nationwide. In that time, it's helped 60 families in this county. Now that he's resigning from the organisation, Gavin spoke with its CEO Jonathan Irwin.
Now in continuing with the strong musical tradition of this fair county there is a collection going on for pre-loved musical instruments. There are plenty of young people in the county with aspirations to play music but unable to get their hands on an instrument. If you know someone or you yourself have a bodhrán on the shelf or a tin whistle in the cupboard or any instrument going unused, consider donating. To tell us more Gavin was joined by Cllr Mary Howard who is helping run the collection in support of Cloughleigh NS and the Holy Family Senior School.
And to finish the show we turned to an author writing about Santa. Now we had him on earlier this year with his book, ‘Secrets of Superhero Science’, Barry Fitzgerald has just published the follow up to it, ‘Secret Science of Santa Clause’. In it he writes about the real science behind Santa’s Christmas Eve deliveries and what the future might be like for Santa and his job. Barry joined Gavin on the line from the Netherlands.
