Clare Fm - Podcasts

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has outlined a number of extra supports that are now being worked on for those who look after family members in the home in the wake of the defeated referendum on care. Carers could be set to receive a state contributory pension, while there could also be improved tax credits for stay-at-home parents. To find out more about these supports and if they will benefit carers Sineád O’Brien, a mother living in Bunratty caring for her son Cathal, who has a rare genetic disorder with profound needs, joined Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus. Photo (c) by Syda Productions via Canva

The Government is being urged to pay heed to local knowledge to solve legacy flooding issues at Ballycar. The rail service between Limerick and Ennis has been suspended for the first time in four years due to a drainage problem on the section of the railway track in the Newmarket-on-Fergus townland, with bus transfers now in place instead. Iarnród Éireann has previously estimated that a €16.7m investment is required to put an end to the flooding once and for all. Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat McMahon however thinks the answer to the problem lies with local landowners who have inherited knowledge of flood prevention.

The Chair of Clare Fine Gael insists the party still has a strong foothold in this county, despite a growing number of it's TD's confirming they will not be seeking re-election. Galway East Deputy Ciarán Cannon has become the tenth member to do so, citing an emerging trend of toxicity in politics. The party is yet to announce a candidate to run in place of Ennis Cllr Johnny Flynn in June's local elections or whether Clarecastle Deputy Joe Carey will contest the next general election, having been on sick leave since last March. Former Clare Fine Gael TD and Senator, Kilkee native Madeleine Taylor Quinn-says there's no cause for concern though.

Clare people struggling to get on the housing ladder are being urged to engage with the local authorities support services. It comes as Clare County Council has already supported 15 households availing of HAP or RAS to retain their tenancies so far under the tenant-in situ scheme. People earning up to €59,000 who have also received a valid termination notice can be facilitated under the cost-rental version of the scheme, through which the local authority will aim to acquire twenty properties this year. Senior Executive Officer and Housing Spokesperson, Pádraig McCormac insists help is at hand for those in danger of homelessness.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. On this week’s In The Garden, Tom provided listeners with all the tips and tricks for growing tomatoes. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.

On this week’s History in Focus Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author, Colm Liddy to chat about the Norman Colonisation of Clare. If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your townland you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to William Cahir of Cahir & Co. Solicitors, Ennis, in our weekly legal slot. This week, William discussed contracts and told us about available legal defences. If you have a legal question for Cahir & Co. Solicitors, email us at focus@clare.fm

Last December, Alan Morrissey spoke to the Smooth Operators Team from Coláiste Muire about their participation in the F1 in Schools competition. To update us on the project, sponsors and more, Alan was joined in studio by Amy Ryan, Amalie Carolan, Sofie Keane and Amy Hennessey.

Over 5.6 million drink containers have been collected since the first of February under the Deposit Return Scheme. Re-Turn has said that the initiative, by and large, has been a success. However, experience with it varies. Rony Barobhuiya, the co-owner of Henry’s Bistro in Ennis spoke with Alan Morrissey to share his experience with the scheme.

The Board of Ennis 2040 claims the negative focus surrounding some of the DAC's planned projects is doing a disservice to local businesses. Councillors and executives clashed over the financial security of the venture at this month's meeting after it emerged the Designated Activity Company possesses just €14,791 in fixed assets, but suggestions of insolvency were strongly dismissed by the local authority. Much of the attention so far has focused on the potential loss of 128 parking spaces and civic space at Abbey Street in favour of a proposed mixed-use anchor-tenant led retail and office development. Clare County Council Director of Finance and Support Services, Noeleen Fitzgerald, says while opinions on projects may differ, the opportunities of Ennis must be prioritised.

A Clare clothing retailer says many small businesses will be "batting down the hatches" to survive this year. It comes as the latest CSO figures show the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.4% in the last 12 months which is only the fourth time since September 2021 that the annual growth has been below 5%. The only divisions to record a decline when compared with February 2023 were Clothing & Footwear at 3.6% and Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance at 0.2%. Patrick Bourke of Patrick Bourke's Menswear in Kilrush and Ennis says, however, the small shops will not be thriving in this market.

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Clare County Council has been warned that illegal dumping will persist unless funding for CCTV systems is secured immediately. New figures show that so far this year, the council has dished out 13 fines for illegal dumping, but just one has been paid. Environmental Officer Patrols are also set to increase on the 'bog road' linking the Galway motorway to Ennis via the Quin Road following a surge in reported offences. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy says litter picking on this stretch of road in particular is seriously dangerous.

On this week's episode of Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn meets mixed-media artist Katja Wittmer and Raquel Ruido, owner of the Moher Soap Company.

Clare residents with Bank Holiday weekend plans are being warned that driving even the shortest of journeys while intoxicated can lead to tragic consequences. It comes as Clare Gardaí have announced their patrol plans for the days leading up to and following St. Patrick's Day which will include a series of checkpoints throughout the county. 42 people have lost their lives on the roads nationwide so far this year and the Road Safety Authority has revealed that one driver was arrested every hour of 2023 on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Head of the Roads Policing Unit in the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division Superintendent Eddie Golden says while being convicted of a driving-related crime is an unfortunate eventuality, causing or being involved in a fatal collision is undoubtedly worse.

The Mayor of Clare is hopeful people from the Banner county celebrating St. Patrick's Day in all corners of the world have a safe and enjoyable weekend. Plans are in motion for parades throughout the county, with Ennis's procession starting at 11am on Sunday, while Shannon's will start at the later time of 1pm and Kilrush's parade will kick-off two hours later at 3pm. Across the Atlantic, Mayor Joe Cooney and a Clare County Council delegation are spending the weekend in New York where they'll meet the city's mayor and attend it's world-famous parade. Bodyke Fine Gael Councillor Cooney is hopeful people can enjoy themselves while also staying safe throughout the festivities.

A Clarecastle Councillor admits he has grave concerns over the proposed Abbey Street Development. It comes just one month after the Ennis 2040 DAC publicly unveiled its plans for a mixed use office and anchor-tenant led retail unit on the existing car park site. The issue of unoccupied buildings in Ennis has come into sharp focus since, with the vacancy rate lying at 18.6%, while the local authority is taking action on 31 derelict sites there. Former Mayor of Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy , believes repurposing buildings for housing and increasing living space in the town centre should be prioritised for now.

Clare's Green senator says Ireland's referral to the European Court of Justice for alleged failure to protect bog habitats is "disappointing". The European Commission claims this county has failed to apply the Habitats Directive to protect sites designated for raised and blanket bog habitats from turf cutting. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage claims turf cutting on raised bogs was down 40% last year, while activity on 80% of raised bog in special areas of conservation has stopped completely. Inagh Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey believes the decision by the European Commission isn't taking into account the efforts being made to gradually reduce the level of turf cutting in Ireland.