Morning Focus opened with a look at concerns are being raised over the levels of dangerous driving in parts of Co. Clare.
Sixmilebridge Councillor Alan O'Callaghan says there's been a rise in activity by so called "boy racers" recently and their behaviour is a danger to other motorists and pedestarians.
Gavin was joined by Councillor Cathal Crowe from Shannon Municipal District and by Cllr Alan O'Callaghan from the Killaloe MD.
First-time buyers are increasingly having to depend on the support of their parents to get on the property ladder as the effects of the Central Bank’s mortgage lending rule s begin to become clear. Regulations introduced just over a year ago capped the amount prospective buyers could borrow to finance a new home, as well as linking the size of the mortgage to incomes. Research now suggests that to be the case, with a huge spike in cash buyers evident and parents often stumping up much of the cost of a first home for their children. Homes bought with cash by first-time buyers rose from practically nil at the beginning of 2014 to 15% of purchases by the end of last year, according to research carried out by property agents Savills. Dr John McCartney, Director of Savills Ireland Research, joined Gavin to discuss the phenomenon of the 'bank of mum and dad'.
Gavin then got an update on the moving of a Boeing 767 from Shannon Airport to a proposed new glamping park in Enniscrone, County Sligo. Funeral Director David McGowan bought a Boeing 767 from Shannon Airport for €20,000 and plans to move it along the Wild Atlantic Way to his home in Enniscrone. The Boeing is to be transported via sea where he intends to build a glamping village. David is trying to orchestrate the transportation of the airplane, which weighs 70 tonnes and measures 159ft in length without breaking it into many pieces.
Clare are on the cusp of promotion to Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League, following Sunday’s win over Longford. A strong second-half performance gave Clare a 1-20 to 1-09 win. They now lie in second place in the Division 3 table, and travel to Kildare this Sunday knowing that they are on the verge of moving up another level. Gavin discussed the situation with Joe Garry
Clare FM Analyst
Carrigoran House in Newmarket-on-Fergus is to host one of the region's largest conferences on the subject of ageing and age-friendly iniaitives next month (April 15, 16). Speakers from Clare Age Friendly Board and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology will outline the challenges facing Irish society as its age profile changes, as well as discussing best-practice in care of the elderly. The Expo will be launched tomorrow (Wed March 30) at 2pm at Carrigoran House.
Gavin was joined in studio by Maria Molloy, Chairperson Implementation Team, Clare Age Friendly; Gerry Kelly
Chairperson of Alliance Board, Clare Age Friendly; and by Mary O'Dowd, Activities Co-Ordinator at the Health & Wellness Centre at Carrigoran House
Fleadh News
400,000 visitors will come to Ennis over a 9 day period for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. So a lot of accommodation and a variety of accommodation is required to suit different needs. (families, regular Fleadh goers, young people, musicians, overseas etc.) Clearly current supply of approved accommodation is not sufficient. This call for accommodation applies not just to Ennis and Co. Clare but reaches out to the bordering counties of Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Kerry and further afield. For the first in a series of 'Fleadh News' updates on Morning Focus, Gavin was joiend in studio by Rory Casey, Secretary of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Executive Committee; and by Brian O'Neill, Head of Accommodation Sub
Morning Focus concluded with an item on a new initiative from UL Hospitals Group aimed at improving compassionate care.
The #hellomynameis campaign is being rolled out at University Hospital Limerick and University Maternity Hospital Limerick, as part of a pilot scheme – with a view to being rolled out at all hospitals in due course.
The initiative founded by the British hospital consultant and terminally-ill cancer patient Dr Kate Granger. During a hospital stay in 2013, Kate observed that many staff did not introduce themselves. Kate also grew frustrated that fellow health professionals would refer to her as “Bed 7” or “the girl with that rare cancer”.
#hellomynameis is about more than simple introductions. It is all about making a human connection and establishing a relationship with patients on a firm foundation of mutual respect and trust.
To discuss the initiative, Gavin was joined by Margaret Quigley, Directorate Nurse/Midwife Manager at UHL.
