Councillor PJ Kelly, from Lissycasey, and Martin Keane, Chairperson of Kilmihil Community Development (KCD) spoke on the show this morning about the restoration of West Clare community childcare services.
Next on the show, Rhonda Murphy, a former carer and currently a fundraiser with the Clare branch of Alzheimer’s Society spoke to Gavin about a major hike in helpline calls. Calls to Ireland’s only national dementia helpline service have increased by almost two-thirds (63%) since 2010, and 2015 was the busiest ever. Last year, 4,750 calls were made to the helpline service run by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, up from 2,907 in 2010. The service continues to experience an increase in calls as awareness of the condition grows. Almost six out of 10 calls made last year were in relation to people with a confirmed case of dementia. Over 10% were from people worried about memory issues and their general cognitive health. Calls from people in the early stages of dementia continue to increase, one in 10 made last year were from people with dementia under the age of 70. Of the 48,000 people living with dementia in Ireland it is estimated that 4,000 are under the age of 65.
Denis Bates got in touch with Morning Focus to say that, in the late 1980s. Shannon Development levied a water charge of 25 punts per annum on Shannon residents. He says that ‘like a good citizen’, he paid the charge. He says it was later found that SFADCO had no power to levy water charges and they were dropped. Denis then wrote SFADCO asking for a refund. He says that in their reply SFADCO acknowledged that they had no authority to levy the water charge but added that they would not be making any refund. Denis adds that he has not paid the current water charge as he expected it wouldn’t last. Councillor Gerry Flynn, Independent from Shannon, also spoke on the show this morning. Cllr Flynn was part of a tenant’s organisation formed to oppose water charges levied by Shannon Development in the ‘80s. He says he started working in Shannon in 1972. At that time, to get a house from Shannon Development, you had to prove you were employed in the Industrial Estate. Charges were also levied by Shannon Development for refuse collection and water. The campaign of opposition to the water charges was ultimately successful, Gerry says.
Following the General Election, there are now more women in the Dáil than ever before. Madeline Taylor-Quinn, former TD, Senator, and Mayor of Clare; Gabriella Hanrahan, third-level Liason Officer in UL; and Councillor Mary Howard, FG and GE16 candidate joined Gavin in studio to discuss female candidates in GE16. In all, 35 women were elected to the 32nd Dáil Éireann. According to an analysis by journal.ie, women took just over 22% of the seats being contested. That’s a jump of 40% from the previous record of 25 women elected in 2011, composing 15% of Dáil Éireann at the time. Many observers have pointed to this rise as being directly attributable to the introduction of gender quotas, but analysis shows that despite the increase in female candidates, parties subject to regulations only elected four extra women. Notably, 19 of the women elected are first time TDs, and 14 were first-time candidates. In the Clare constituency, despite 5 women contesting the election, none were elected. In the case of both FF and FG, female candidates were relatively late additions to the tickets. A number of Fine Gael members in Clare have admitted that this hampered the campaign of the party’s female candidate, Councillor Mary Howard.
Later on the show we heard from Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer, for the weekly arts round-up.
There are numerous events happening across the county over the coming weekend. Gavin spoke to some of these organisers about the weekend events. Tansey Wilson, from Irish Seed Savers, spoke about an event the charity in Scarriff are running. Their annual Seed Share Day takes place this Sunday (March 6th). It is a day for families, gardeners, and anyone interested in coming along to share saved seeds or just enjoy a walk around the 20 acre site with woodlands, orchard and gardens. Irish Seed Savers Supporters are free. Admission for children is free and general admission is €4. Gareth Heagney, Principal of Sixmilebridge NS, spoke about a Poker Classic event the school are running today (Friday, March 4th). Funds raised go towards their Ceardeas Unit. This unit is unique in that it is a special unit of 2 classes that teaches and supports 12 children with autistic issues. It is an important and significant part of the school and ensures that these children can remain in mainstream education. We also heard from Birgitta Curtin, owner of the Burren Smokehouse, next. The Burren Smokehouse food tourism event will take place Friday week (March 11th).
This week for the Friday Panel, panellists discussed politics in a post GE16 special. Gavin was joined by Councillor James Breen, Independent; Senator Martin Conway, Fine Gael; and Michael Guilfoyle, former Mayor of Ennis.
South Carolina man, Robert Dillon, got in touch with Morning Focus seeking help with his efforts to trace his ancestors and relatives in County Clare, using DNA testing. Robert Dillon believes his ancestors lived in West Clare in the early to mid-1800s, possibly in the area of Tullycreen Lower, Kilrush. He told Gavin he’s now asking Dillons/Dillanes in the area to join the family history research efforts by requesting a DNA test kit, which will be interpreted by Dr Tyrone Bowes, a consultant on the project.
