Kilkee Marine Rescue is to merge with the Irish Coast Guard.
After over 30 years as a volunteer-led service, during which time it’s members have saved over 600 lives, the West Clare group will now fall under the auspices of the national body, removing the constant need to fundraise.
250,000 euro is also to be invested in training, new equipment and upgrades works for it’s Station House.
On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Manuel DiLucia of the Kilkee Marine Rescue Service who welcomed the news and thanks all of the volunteers and supporters throughout the years that kept the service going.
Declan Geoghegan, Search and Rescue Operations Manager with the Irish Coast Guard, discussed what the formal merger means and said the local unit will benefit significantly by joining forces with the nationwide emergency service.
The Taoiseach says the coalition will consider withdrawing state funding from crèches guilty of breaches of care
Barnardos has advice for parents on how to evaluate the quality of your child’s childcare service
John spoke with Maureen Keane, Manager of the Clare Family Resource Centre on the Watery Road in Ennis who said that patents are handing over their prime possession when they place a child in someone else’s care – she was horrified and upset at what she saw on the expose
They have CCTV in every room and it’s monitored constantly, Maureen maintained that quality childcare is vital as children are the futurem but also very vulnerable.
The Clare Family Resource Centre Ltd is a voluntary organisation with charitable status which has been in existence since 1993
The start-up of the Centre was motivated by a concern to meet the growing demand for childcare facilities in Ennis and particularly by the need to cater for those who are not in a financial position to avail of the services provided by the private sector
The Clare Family Resource Centre was the first Community Crèche
The Centre has a voluntary Board of Directors consisting of members of the community, staff and parents
At a conference in Croke Park yesterday Barnardos children’s charity called on the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, to make sure that his upcoming reform of the family law system puts the focus on children in separation cases and introduce a whole system of supports to help families deal with the upheaval of separation
John spoke with CEO of Barnardos Fergus Finlay about their calls to the Minister and got his reaction to Tuesday night’s programme.
Monitoring teenage discos in the Queens, introducing teenage perpetrators of crime to their victims, and trying to keep young people out of the courts
Not what you might expect from local Gardai in Clare, but it’s all part of the role of our Juvenile Liaison Officers
The Juvenile Diversion Programme was up for discussion at a meeting of the Clare Joint Policing Committee in Ennis this week, where John met Garda Therese Flannery to find out about ways of dealing with young offenders other than prosecution.
Pupils from Ennis National School Reading Class have written a special book that gives the personal accounts of ten children who have severe Dyslexia, aged between 10-13 years of age
Dyslexia effects 10% of the Irish population and it can be difficult for parents and children to find information about the truths and myths about Dyslexia
This book uncovers their unique achievements – it’s called ‘Dyslexic Brains Learn Differently’
Two of the children who bravely tell their unique stories joined John in studio to speak about their experience and pride in contributing to this book – Donnacha Madigan from Killimer who is in 6th class and Saoirse Boyce, a 5th class pupil.
Also in studio to speak about the book were Fiona de Butleir, Teacher at Ennis National School, Joanne O Brien
Saoirse’s Mother – who had idea for this publication and Fidelma Mooney.
Dyslexic Brains Learn Differently’ – A Book by Kids for Kids is available to buy online at www.wowwee.ie
Or at the Ennis Bookshop, Contact Ennis National School on 065 6829158 or email info@ennisns.ie
Tuamgraney Gathering 2013 is a community weekend of welcomes for all ex pats and visitors beginning today and running until Monday
They have lots of events planned including a Ceili, handball, sports, concert, music and craic
Tuamgraney Gathering Weekend Chairperson Michael Blake gave a flavour of what’s to come over the weekend.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
