On today’s Morning Focus Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen discussed how Clare has escaped the major public nursing homes cull announced under the HSE’s service plan. Fears had been expressed that bed numbers and services at Raheen in Tuamgraney, Regina House in Kilrush, Ennistymon Community Hospital and Saint Joseph’s in Ennis would all be hit as part of budgetary cutbacks. However Pat Breen has told Clare FM that the Health Minister has confirmed there will be no long-term bed or facility closures here. 19 beds at Saint Joseph’s will be temporarily shut for refurbishment work but Deputy Breen added it would be on a temporary and staggered basis. While Tomsie O’Sullivan of Ennistymon Community Hospital and Cllr Joe Cooney – a board member of Raheen Community Hospital discussed their relief at the news. However yesterday they had a meeting with the HSE regional manager and were told there would be a reduction of potentially 8-9 beds in Clare this year because of nurse retirements.
Dr Aideen McLoughlin, a Leitrim Anti Fracking Campaigner discussed the news that an Australian mining company is seeking to exploit a substantial gas field on the Fermanagh/Leitrim border with the promise of hundreds of jobs from a multi-billion euro investment. The project is being opposed by campaigners who claim that the form of mining being proposed – fracking – would harm the environment. Tamboran Resources says its initial studies have confirmed there is a substantial natural gas field in north Co. Leitrim. It claims the gas field could deliver security of energy supply in Ireland for the next 40 years providing 600 jobs with up to 2,400 indirect jobs. However anti-fracking campaigners will hold their first national meeting of anti-fracking activists this Saturday in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh when Munster environmentalists and the Clare lobby group will join protesters in the North West who are against the most advanced fracking exploration effort in the country. Kevin Heaps from Querrin and a member of the Clare Fracking Concerned group also joined in the discussion about his fears on the practice of fracking. Kevin runs an eco-campsite in Querrin called ‘Pure Camping’ – which is involved in sustainable tourism and environmental camping. He is disappointed at reports yesterday that there are concerns in Leitrim and feels it’s not just a local or regional issue – but a nationwide issue.
Also on today’s show;
Fr. Donagh O’Meara, Parish Priest in Ogonelloe and Bodyke spoke to Clare FM’s John Cooke live from South Africa. Fr. O’Meara is with the second group of Clare volunteers to head over to the Sister Ethel Normoyle project in Port Elizabeth this year. Joe Hodgens from Clarecastle, who volunteered with the project also spoke to John about how their work is progressing. We also heard from Sr Ethel herself – in an interview with Ennis Documentary maker Colm Flynn she recalled how when she first arrived in Missionvale she had very little and simply taught the local children under a tree. Morning Focus checked in with Group 1 last Wednesday as they completed block work on the 6 classroom extension to the existing primary school, with Group 2 followed behind one week later to complete the roof section of the building – they finish this Friday. In all, over 40 volunteers will make the journey to Missionvale. For more information see www.missionvaleureland.org
Miriam Raftery of the Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway spoke about a new study. The Centre for Pain Research is looking for people suffering from back pain, to take part in the Pain Disability Prevention Programme trial which will include working with a clinical psychologist trained in pain rehabilitation. The sessions focus on rehabilitation, cognitive therapy to identify negative thinking patterns and exercises to improve physical function. For more details see www.nuigalway.ie/pdp and the “Register Your Interest” section.
Gloria Callinan, LEADER Projects Co-ordinator with the Clare Local Development Company was in studio to outline the community and voluntary groups involved in conservation, tourism or heritage in County Clare are being invited to participate in a workshop focusing on the process and benefits of applying for funding under the EU LEADER Rural Development Programme. Clare Local Development Company will host the event, which takes place at the Woodstock Hotel in Ennis from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday
Also on the show John Cooke responded to numerous comments and questions reagrding the Health Contribution Refunds – and informed listeners of the following clarifications supplied by the Department of Social Protection;
1. The Department of Social Protection is currently receiving a very high level of enquiries in relation to requests for refunds of the Health Contribution. The Department would therefore like to take this opportunity to clarify the position in relation to Health Contribution Refunds.
2. If you earned more than €26,000 in 2008, 2009 and 2010 you were liable to pay the Health Contribution and you are not due a refund.
3. If you earned less than €26,000 and never earned more than €500 in any one week you would not have been charged the Health Contribution and are not eligible for a refund.
4. You may be entitled to a refund of the Health Contribution if you have earned less than €26,000 in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and earned more than €500 in any particular week in those years.
5. Your P60 Form will give you details of your earnings.
6. You must make an application for a refund within four years of 31 December of the year you paid the contribution. For example you must apply for a refund of the Health Contributions paid in 2008 by 31 December 2012 and so on.
7. Any contributions paid prior to 1 January 2008 are outside the time limit for making a claim.
8. The Health Contribution was included in the Universal Social Charge (USC) with effect from 1 January 2011 and no Health Contribution refunds arise after that date.
9. The amount of refund you receive will vary depending on the amount of Health Contribution paid. For example if you paid the Health Contribution for only one week in 2008 your refund could be €10.
10. If you satisfy the earnings conditions outlined at 4 above you should write to the address below and include your name, address, Personal Public Service Number and your date of birth.
For further information see http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Topics/PRSI/Pages/refundhealthlevy.aspx
Dr Simon Berrow, Co-ordinator of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group in Kilrush discussed how the group has secured three-quarters of the funding it requires to refit its research vessel – Celtic Mist. Clare Local Development Company has approved the allocation of a €48,000 grant towards the refurbishment of the ketch. The new owners of Charlie Haughey’s Celtic Mist are planning to showcase the re-fitted yacht on a three-week voyage around Ireland in June. The group said it is on course to complete a €50,000 refurbishment in time to take to the seas on June 7th. They have picked that date as a tribute to the former Taoiseach, as it marks the 21st anniversary of his declaration of Ireland as a whale and dolphin sanctuary
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus you can email the show at focus@clare.fm or text Clare FM at 53030
