On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Gavin Grace was joined by Charlie Weston, the Personal Finance Editor of the Irish Independent. They discussed how nearly 12% of residential mortgages are now in arrears, according to new figures out today. The Central Bank data shows that a thousand homeowners a month are falling into arrears with their mortgages. However the rate of increase in arrears is beginning to slow. The Central Bank says just over 94-thousand mortgages held by owner occupiers were in arrears at the end of December, that’s up by over 3-thousand from last September.
Dermot Jewell of the Consumers Association of Ireland was also a guest of the show to talk about the latest news on Ulster Bank. The RBS Group has had to apologise again for major technical problems. Ulster Bank customers suffered disruption last night when ATM’s stopped working and people couldn’t pay with their cards or access online banking. It’s the second time in nine months that customers have been affected.
Also on today’s programme, Ann Kearney from the Asthma Society of Ireland discussed how Ireland has the fourth highest prevalence of asthma worldwide and 470,000 people in Ireland suffer with the condition. In Munster alone, 1 in 10 adults suffer from asthma. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Yet nearly 60% of Irish asthma sufferers do not have their asthma under control, and more than one person a week dies from asthma in Ireland. The Asthma Society of Ireland is providing a free asthma clinic in Munster on Saturday 9th March, from 1-4pm in the Clarion Hotel, Limerick.
In our “Calling Home” series today – Edel Floyd from Tulla joined the show to talk about her reasons for immigrating to Canada. Edel is now living in Vancouver, British Colombia and spoke about how she’s getting on in her new home.
As part of Clare FM’s celebration of the year of the Gathering, we speak to Clare natives abroad about their new home away from home, the differences, the similarities and their hopes for the future. We want to hear your stories – if you or a loved one is abroad and would like to tell us how life is treating them in their new home please contact Clare FM by logging on to clare.fm or email gathering@clare.fm
Brendan Murray, Adjudicator of 52nd West Clare Drama Festival also joined Gavin for an update on the annual festival in Doonbeg. He’s seen groups from Waterford, Galway, Wexford and Tipp, and Corofin – tonight it’s the turn of Mullagh Entire Drama Group.
Stephen McDermott – our Clare FM Movie Reviewer was also in studio to talk about new film “Oz”, which stars James Franco, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams and he also talked about “Argo” from Ben Affleck which has just been released on DVD.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
