Today marks the second anniversary of the Labour Fine Gael coalition government
On Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton of the Labour Party to discuss the government’s decisions over the past year.
The coalition is discussing plans to include farm and business assets in the means test for third-level grants
Government sources have said discussions are continuing over proposals to include assets worth over €750,000 in the means test
John spoke with Senator Tony Mulcahy of Fine Gael and Eddie Punch, ICSA General Secretary who said the proposed new means test for the college grant will potentially deny farmers’ children a third level education
The Education Minister is looking at including assets worth over three quarters of a million euro in a revised means test
Last year, the Government spent some 336 million euro supporting 76,600 students through the student grant scheme
Cat O’Driscoll, Education Officer at the Students’ Union of Ireland, is afraid that this would have a regressive effect if this means testing for farmer goes through.
Brendain MecFhionnghaile of Clar as Gaeilge had the latest results from Feile na hInse 2013
Despite losing all her hair to Alopecia 18 year old Ronia Murray from Ballina/ Killaloe is happy to tell her inspiring story to give confidence to those in a similar situation
She joined John in studio to tell her story
In the autumn of 2011 a dermatologist confirmed that she was suffering from Alopecia – the form of the illness she had was as a result of the eczema and asthma gene she was carrying.
Liz Shiel- Founder of Alopecia Support Ireland – had information for others affected by the condition
Alopecia is an autoimmune hair loss disease that affects men, women and children of any age
There’s an open meeting organised by Alopecia Support Ireland every two months in Dublin- it attracts people from all over Ireland
The onset of the hair loss is often sudden, random and frequently recurrent
For more information see www.alopeciaireland.ie – the group are meeting tomorrow Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Cow Moran’s Hotel, Dublin- all are welcome.
Clare Adult Basic Education Service, Ennistymon are holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Pemba Island tomorrow at 11am in the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon
They are delighted to have Fr. Mathias Ng’oja from Pemba Island as a guest speaker at the coffee morning and are hoping for much local support
All in aid of Pemba Support which helps the people and projects on the island- Katie Lewis of CABES invited the public to come along and support them.
The community of Liscannor have unveiled 14 new seats situated on the waterfront overlooking the harbour and Liscannor Bay towards Lahinch
This project started in 2009 in conjunction with Clare County Council, CLDC with the help of the local community
Patrick Blake of the Liscannor Harbour Committee says they are delighted to have this new amenity.
If you have a story for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
