Morning Focus opened with a look at reactions to the government's 'Rebuilding Ireland' plan to end the housing crisis. There's been a broad welcome for aspects of government proposals to build 25,000 new homes as part of the plan. The 5.35 billion euro plan pledges to build 47-thousand social houses in six years.
The Action Plan – which is called Rebuilding Ireland – aims to address homelessness; accelerate social housing; build more homes; improve the rental sector and utilise existing housing. Threshold – the organisation representing tenants in rental accommodation – has welcomed the government's commitment to a national strategy for the private rented sector, saying affordability and security of tenure must be its cornerstones.
It's also welcomed the commitment to extend the Tenancy Protection Service nationwide by the end of the year. This has been described as a key intervention in preventing homelessness. Gavin spoke with Diarmaid O'Sullivan Services & Outreach Manager with Threshold.
Today's show also heard that during the summer months, our thoughts often turn to doing a bit of work around the home and garden. But the warmer weeks are also a time when there's an increase in the number of rouge traders offering their dubious 'services'.
Sometimes referred to as 'doorstep crime', the victims are generally elderly people – and most of those are female. This cynical crime often goes unreported and can leave victims stung for hundreds – if not thousands – of Euros.
The advice, as always to those looking to have home repairs carried out, is to use reputable tradespeople. To highlight the problem and to offer advice, a group representing the heating and plumbing trader in Ireland is urging people to be cautious.
Gavin spoke to David Blevings, OFTEC Ireland Manager, and to Gerry Kelly from Clare Age Friendly, a former Assistant Garda Commissioner & Garda Superintendent in the Clare Division. Gerry said that over his 40 year career with An Garda Siochana, this is an issue he's constantly encountered. He agrees that summer is the busiest month for criminals engaged in this kind of activity and says Clare's been a magnet for travelling gangs of unscrupulous characters posing as tradespeople. He also believes that the elderly are a particular target and vulnerable to intimidation.
Gavin was then joined in studio by Gort man James Patrick Mahon, the author of a new book, 'Through Irish Eyes'. The book chronicles his journey from being an adoptee from communist Romania to being an Irish newsman in the US. James is a TV/Radio Anchor and Reporter, Author and University Lecturer
He moved to America from the North of England in 2012 and has reported on a range of topics from triple homicides to meth busts and tornadoes as well as gang activity. Prior to making his way to Chattanooga, he worked at WKOP, PBS in Knoxville and anchored radio shows in both the UK and Ireland.
As we know, Clare is fast becoming one of the go-to areas for food lovers across the country. Artisan food producers are springing up around the county and the diversity and range of home-grown products is greater than ever.
This morning we hosted a special panel on Clare's growing food industry. Gavin was joined in studio by Maeve Eustace from Western Herd Brewing, Kilmaley; Brian O'Brien from Anam Coffee in Kilfenora and by Evan Talty, from Wild Irish Seaweed in Quilty. Gavin also spoke, by phone, to Tara-Lee Byrne, Director of Wicked Wholefoods, Killaloe.
Morning Focus then heard about the forthcoming Mattie Corry Memorial Weekend. The event remembers an East Clare man who raised thousands of euro for charity. The Mattie Corry Memorial Weekend has been set up by some of his friends, who are organising a 'Strictly Come Dancing' event in the West County on Friday night, as well as other events across the weekend. The events will gather funds for the Children's Ark Ward of University Hospital Limerick and Raheen Community Hospital. Gavin spoke to one of the organisers Peadar Greene.
