On The Afternoon Show today Michael McLoughlin, Head of Advocacy with Youth Work Ireland spoke to Gavin Grace about the latest Live Register figures. There was a slight fall in the numbers signing on the Live Register last month. The Central Statistics Office says the seasonally adjusted total reduced by 400 people – to 435,200 in September – of which almost 45 per cent are long term claimants. The rate of unemployment last month stood at 14.8 per cent – unchanged from August. The number of people aged under 25 claiming job seekers benefits account for over 17 per cent of the total – down from 18.5 per cent in September of last year.
Ed Farnan joined Gavin from the US to discuss last night’s presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney has regained momentum in the first head to head 90 minute debate from Denver last night and though Obama spoke for longer it’s thought Romney landed more political punches. Obama has been criticised for being “subdued” during the exchanges and in a poll from CNN viewers voted 3 – 1 in favour of Romney winning the debate.
Eimear Cotter is the Health Promotion Officer with the Irish Cancer Society spoke to The Afternoon Show to talk about how over 12 per cent of children aged between 10 and 18 say they are ‘current smokers’. In response to this and in an effort to get kids to kick the habit, the Irish Cancer Society has joined forces with a European Commission campaign to set up a free smart phone app. The iCoach App uses an on-line interactive health coach, and is free to download for both Android and iPhone handsets.
President of NUI Galway Dr. Jim Browne also spoke to Gavin today to discuss the news that NUI Galway has jumped to third place in the country in this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. With only two Irish universities improving their world ranking, NUI Galway sees the greatest rise in position, increasing 31 places. NUI Galway is now ranked 336th in the THE Rankings 2012/2013. In the same rankings, Trinity College Dublin increased their position by seven places to 110.
John Sweeney of the Clare Sports Partnership and Pat Burke, County Councillor and East Clare Walking Festival Spokesperson gave us details on this year’s National Trails Day which takes place on Sunday next. National Trails Day is a celebration of Ireland’s wonderful variety of trails and a chance for everyone to enjoy some of our most beautiful countryside, forests, mountains and lakes. East Clare Walking Festival also takes place this weekend with lots of walking routes on offer for those taking part, including a guided walk of Holy Island, 3 guided walks each day (it takes place over Saturday and Sunday) so if you’d like to take part see eastclarewalkingfestival.com for details.
Siobhan Mulcahy is the Clare Arts Officer she spoke to the show today to let listeners know about a new musical archive. Clare County Library, in association with The Clare Arts Office, has announced the launch of its online “Music of Clare” project on the library’s website at www.clarelibrary.ie. The first stage of the project concentrates on the traditional music of the county and featuring the biographies and music of some of Clare’s best known traditional music artists, including Martin Hayes, Micho Russell, Willie Clancy, Sharon Shannon, Chris Droney, Dennis Cahill, The Kilfenora Céilí Band, Martin Junior Crehan, Elizabeth Crotty, Kevin Crawford, Kieran Hanrahan, The Tulla Céilí Band and Kitty Hayes.
If you would like to contact The Afternoon Show please email afternoon@clare.fm
