Morning Focus opened with a look at the Primary Care Partnership and its efforts to secure investment of €2.5 billion in the sector over the next 5 years. Gavin spoke with Dr Yvonne Williams, a Clare-based member of the NAGP.
Independents TDs were told today (Thurs.) is their last chance to get Enda Kenny out of power, as another attempt will be made to elect a Taoiseach in the Dáil. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin issued the ultimatum for Independents to vote for him when there is as third attempt this afternoon to elect a Taoiseach, saying his name will not be going forward for the position of Taoiseach again. It follows a breakdown in talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil last night. With uncertainty over how Independent deputies will vote, Gavin spoke with Clare's Dr Michael Harty, Ind. and later with Niall O'Connor, Political Correspondent Independent News & Media.
There are calls for a full independent review into allegations that children were left in foster care settings despite allegations of sexual abuse. Tuesday night's RTE programme highlighted a new case in the west of Ireland, in which two children were left in foster care, after allegations of sexual abuse by a family member.
The ISPCC is calling for a review into whether there is 'systemic' abuse in foster care in Ireland. Gavin spoke with Aoife Griffen, ISPCC Regional Manager for the Midwest.
New research suggests that one in seven people reports seeing a dead relative in their sleep. NUI Galway is carrying out a study on unusual sleep experiences – including sleep paralysis. Researchers at NUIG are hoping to talk to a thousand people about their sleep patterns in the hope of demystifying some of the more unusual behaviour. It will also look at how people's emotions and lifestyles affect what kind of a night's sleep you get. Gavin spoke with Dr Jonathan Egan from the NUIG Department of Psychology.
Yesterday saw the start of Parkinson’s Awareness Week. Parkinson's a degenerative disease that most of us are aware of but may not be familiar with.
It affects around 9,000 people in Ireland. High profile sufferers of this challenging illness include Michael J Fox and Muhammad Ali. Gavin spoke with Billy Rice, Chairperson Parkinsons Association of Ireland Midwest Branch.
The Department of Education has announced it's begun inspections of early childhood centres invovled in delivering government-funded programmes. These focus on the educational approach taken by childcare providers and reports will be published online.
Early Childhood Ireland says it's satisfied that the inspections won't lead to any attempts at 'early schoolification' of children and that inspectors with an appropriate background have been recruited.
Early Childhood Ireland says there's now a triple-layer of inspections being imposed on an underfunded sector. The administration burden is huge and the organisation wants to see the development of a single cohesive inspection process.
Early Childhood Ireland will hold their national conference on Saturday next, April 16.
Gavin spoke with Teresa Heaney CEO Early Childhood Ireland.
Morning Focus then looked at the importance of the Census for historians. Gavin was joined in studio by Paddy Waldron and Gerry Kennedy. Both are members of Clare Roots Society and have used the Census for historical research and geneaology.
The Tommy Lynch ‘Truck Run’ Memorial Fundraiser will be held on Sunday next (April 17). The proceeds will be very kindly donated to The West Clare Mini Marathon Centre in Kilkee and Milford Hospice in Limerick. Gavin spoke with Marcella O'Callaghan, Tommy Lynch's daughter.
Gavin was then joined by Sean Lenihane who told him how Doora-Barefield Ladies are taking on Mount Callan
The traditional 'Irish mammy' is known for many things – baking up a storm, always on the look-out for a bargain and generally taking no nonsense. One thing she's not known for is looking after herself. Every else comes first.
And it's still true that among modern mums, finding some 'me time' doesn't always come naturally.
Model and self-confessed multitasker Alison Canavan has been there and she's captured the experience of the frazzled mother in her new book 'Minding Mum'. Gavin spoke to Alison about how new mothers shouldn't forget to look after themselves too.
