On The Afternoon Show today Gavin Grace was joined by Mark Fielding from the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises group. ISME is warning the government not to raise the minimum wage, saying it would be detrimental for jobs. The association is reacting to calls from the Social Protection Minister Joan Burton to increase the minimum wage, to reduce the reliance of lower paid workers on social welfare payments to supplement their income. ISME says employers can’t afford any rise in wages, and it would stop them taking on new staff.
Arwen Foley from AA Roadwatch also joined the show to talk about how the average price of petrol and diesel both fell slightly at the pumps in the last month according to the latest survey of prices from the group. Petrol now costs an average of 157.4 cent per litre, down 0.7 cent since May. Diesel prices also fell by less than a cent and the national average price is now 148.0.
Maureen Kilduff from Miltown Malbay spoke to Gavin about how yesterday “The Music Makers of West Clare” was opened by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, at Flag Road, Miltown Malbay. The centre is a collaboration between Oidhreacht an Chlair and Shannon Images. At the visitor centre a firsthand account of renowned musicians unfolds with a specially commissioned 12 minute film, ‘The Session’, featuring some of the most talented musicians playing music loved by the musical masters of County Clare. This attraction brings together scholarship and fun and will provide an additional stop on the road between the scenic glories of Loop Head and the Cliffs of Moher.
Also in our Calling Home series Gavin met with Laura Hunt, a Shannon Native, now living in Oman. Laura has spent a year in the US before heading to Oman to teach English. She spoke about the differences between Clare and life in the Middle East.If you or a loved one are living abroad we’d love to hear their story – please contact gathering@clare.fm
Michelle Eustace, a teacher at St. Senan’s National School in Kilrush and Andrea Roche, a 4th class pupil were also guests of the show. Over six hundred schools across Ireland registered for the Our World Irish Aid Awards this year and fifteen schools in the Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Offaly, Laois, Clare – including 4th class at St. Senan’s National School in Kilrush – were shortlisted for the regional finals which take place tomorrow in Croke Park. Their project is entitled – Education Transformation and the kids are very excited to have been shortlisted and are looking for ward to representing the Banner in Dublin tomorrow.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
