MORNING FOCUS THURSDAY 3RD OCTOBER
Clare County Council has confirmed a housing vacancy rate of 21.2% in the County based on the most recent Census figures. Focusing on figures contained in 2011 Census, the Council has determined there are 11,782 vacant housing units out of a total housing stock of 55,616 units in April 2011.The vacancy rate of 21.2% is the second highest in Munster and higher than the national average of 14.5%.The "Vacant Houses in County Clare” study, which has been prepared by the Planning and Enterprise Development section of Clare County Council, also reveals that three urban locations in Clare have over 70% vacancy rates, namely Liscannor (73%) Kilkee (72%) and Lahinch (70%). 82% of all homes classified as vacant in Kilkee and Liscannor are used as holiday homes. Donnach O’Loughlin of La Hinch Community Council and Flaine Haugh Hayes Chairwoman of Kilkee chamber spoke to Marian about the problems
The Taoiseach has seen off any major backlash over his handling of Fine Gael’s nomination process for the Seanad by-election after backbenchers were told to keep their focus on economic recovery.Enda Kenny is still refusing to name the Fine Gael official who he blames for the botched handling of the issue, despite being asked to do so at a meeting last night of the parliamentary party.He told the Dáil earlier that “the official dealing with this” did not “get back” to the party’s sub-committee charged with handling the Seanad nomination.“That was the cause of great angst and a cause of concern to me,” he said. Fine Gael's Pat Breen gave us his views on the current controversy.
Legendary Broadcaster Donncha O Dulaing'has released a new book Donnacha’s World his over 50 years broadcasting experience. Donnacha was in studio to chat about his remarkable career.
The European Union has been called on to back a proposal to bridge the digital divide in rural communities of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary which are unable to access fibre or wireless broadband services. The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly Mid-West Office (formerly Mid West Regional Office) and Clare-based Slí Nua Development are partners of an EU-funded Satellite Broadband for European Regions project (SABER).The network met in Brussels today to launch a Satellite Broadband Voucher Scheme which it said should be implemented by the members of the EU and their regional governments to encourage awareness and take-up of satellite broadband solutions across Europe’s most rural regions. Patrick Sullivan from the Slí Nua Development outlined the importance of broadband development
The association representing Defence Forces personnel has said an increasing number of soldiers, sailors and aircrew are being affected by poverty.PDFORRA said more than 20% of enlisted personnel are receiving family income supplement payments and a small number are sleeping in their cars.At its annual conference in Sligo, the association also called for the establishment of a rapid reaction team to deal with the trauma suffered by its members in combat situations.Gerry O Connor General Secretary, PDFORRA joined us to talk about some of the problems highlighted at athe conference
And finally we took a look at some of the events taking place near you over the coming days, we spoke to organisers from the Dromineer Lierary Festival and the Killfernora Time Line Project and.
