The show opened this morning with a look at the Revenue's response to recent criticism. Revenue has defended the way in which it deals with its customers, following recent complaints by Clare Councillors. Local representatives went as far as to claim that some people in Clare have been left suicidal following their dealings with public bodies such as the Revenue Commissioners. A number of Councillors expressed dissatisfaction at their monthly meeting in April, and passed a motion saying the service was "not adequate for a major organ of the State." Responding by letter, Revenue has defended delays in its online system, insisting that its minimum identifcation procedures are critically important. Revenue also takes issue with claims that people who call Revenue are left on hold for 20 minutes. For PAYE queries, Revenue says the majority of calls are answered within 30 seconds, with 98% responded to within 5 minutes thugh it acknowledges the need to enhance its business service. The letter concludes by insisting that Revenue is committed to providing a quality service to customers, and to addressing any difficulties. Cllr Ann Norton, Ind. Ennis, was one of those who raised the issue and she was on the line.
Next we heard from the DPOC, wherer management say a transport service for people with disabilities in Clare has said it's in 'the final hour'. Martina Halpin, the manager of the Disabled People of Clare – or DPOC as it's known – says the scheme has had no reprieve and is still slated to close, because of crisis in funding. While a meeting has been arranged with the HSE to explore short-terms support options, the date for that coincides with the expected closure on May 20. The long-term aim is to bring the DPOC scheme under the remit of the National Transport Authority. It's hoped that staff of the Clare service will be able to meet the NTA next Tuesday, but it's understood that that a sustainable solution is still some way off. Meanwhile dozens of service users and their families have been left in limbo. Philomena O'Brien from Ennis got in touch to share the story of how her niece, who's a wheelchair user, will be affected. Martina Halpin, Manager DPOC, spoke to Gavin. She points out that if everyone in Clare gave a Euro to the service, it could sustain it until a long-term solution is found. The annual running cost is less than €100-thousand per annum. DPOC is also accepting corporate donations and sponsorship.
The issue of suicide is one that's left no corner of Ireland untouched. Responses to the crisis have emerged in many lots of different forms with a national strategy – Connecting for Life – put together last year. Now, there's a big push on to roll out a plan taoilored specifically to the Mid-Western Region. Over the month of May, people being asked to add their voices to a Suicide Prevention Action Plan. Mary Kennedy, Mid West Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, came on the line top tell us more. http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/media/pressrel/Whatyouthink.html
***If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support please Freecall Samaritans at 116123, your own GP, Shannondoc at 1850 212999, the emergency department of your local hospital or the emergency services at 999 or 112. You can also contact the HSE Mid West Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention on 061 461454 or visit yourmentalhealth.ie 061 461143***
We heard from John Fogarty, GAA corressponadnt with The Irish Examiner, about the upcoming Clare v Waterford hurling replay.
Next the show turned to Donald Trump. The presumptive nominee for the Republican Party has plenty of fans in Doonbeg. His resort, the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, is a major source of employment for the area. Clare FM's Cian Kearns went to Doonbeg to see how people felt about it.
Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare county council arts offcier was in studio for our weekly Arts round-up. She highlighted 2 Exhibitions in Ennistymon on Friday & Saturday – Voltage in Glór – visual arts and music Friday & Saturday – instrument making near Sliabh Aughty Saturday – Films in Ennistymon and glor (and on Thursday in Shannon and Scariff) Saturday – Theatre in Ogonelloe Sunday – Burren Art & Craft Fair.
Next we had the round-up of weekend events:
1) Tim Floyd Secretary of Tipperary County Board let us know that the Thurles Lions Club Vintage and Classic Car /Tractor/Machinery Show which was scheduled to take place on this Sunday in Thurles Greyhound Stadium has been forced to move to St Patricks College due to Clare v Waterford replay.
2) Ian Dinan was on to talk about the Irish Heart Foundation Happy Hearts Appeal which takes place today (Fri. May 6) in and around Ennis. Happy heart badges are on sale for €3 and all funds raised will go to the Irish Heart Foundation, who work to reduce preventable disability and death from Heart, Stroke and Blood Vessel Disease. Happy Heart Volunteers will be out today in Clare Marts and Tesco and other venues all over Ennis.
3) Also in the round up of weekend events was Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns. She told Gavin about a big clean-up planned for Ennis over the weekend.
This week for the Friday Panel Gavin was joined by Orla Vaughan from Kilfenora, Michael McNamara Former Labour TD for Clare and Martin Waldron Business Development Manager for Kinvara Skincare. They discussed government formation – whether there's a seat for Clare at the Cabinet table? – Donald Trump's nomination by the Republican Party and motor insurance premium hikes.
We rounded off the show this morning with the Melbourne Rose. The Clare entrant into this year's Rose of Tralee contest has yet to be chosen, but already Clare has a contestant in the world-famous event. Ennis-native Meghan Griffin has been selected to represent Melbourne this August – she won the city's Rose selection competition this past weekend. Meghan, whose family are living in Clarecastle, told Gavin how she ended up as the Melbourne Rose.
