Tag Archives: support

AS some childcare providers in the county re-opened their doors this week, workers in the sector reveal the financial challenges they are facing as they call for funding reforms. SIPTU Organiser and Big Start Co-ordinator for Clare, Yvonne McGrath insists, “This vital service cannot be delivered on poverty pay”. The campaign is urging the incoming government to deliver on pre-election pledges to reform the early years sector and implement a new funding model that delivers for children, workers, providers and parents. Ms McGrath says, “Early years educators are eager and enthusiastic to return to work. They play an essential role in our society and parents who have struggled balancing work and looking after children have some much welcomed relief. However, the issues that existed before the lockdown have not gone away. The reality is that before the Covid-19 outbreak the sector was in the grip of a low pay and staffing crisis with the majority of workers earning below the …

GLÓR has come out to show support for the National Arts Recovery Plan and are asking the people of Clare to help give a voice to the arts to ensure its survival from the effects of Covid-19. Theatres and arts centres across the country are backing the plan published last week by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA). Orla Flanagan, director of the Ennis arts centre says, “All at glór stand together with the NCFA, venues around Ireland and our artists and arts workers at this difficult time to ensure the survival of our sector.” She explains, “Before and during this pandemic, it is the arts that have kept us company, been an escape, a voice, a release, a hope. As the country emerges from the pandemic and businesses attempt to return to trading or pivot to alternative offerings in a physically limited new world, the arts and culture sector will be the very last to recover in any …

WOMEN affected by domestic abuse and domestic violence are finding it more difficult to make contact for support with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic removing “little windows of freedom”, according to Clare Haven. However the local service have assured that they are open and working to protect women and children despite the ongoing health crisis. This comes as Clare Gardai confirmed a number of domestic violence incidences were reported to them last week. Clare Haven Services, which has been supporting women and children affected by Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence in Co Clare for 25 years, has welcomed as “timely” a new Government awareness and information campaign on domestic violence. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services, said that the campaign comes at a critical time for women and children who may be confined and isolated with their abuser in towns and townlands across the county. She said that the campaign was creative and strong in its message to survivors and communities …

SCHOOLS may be closed, but the wheels on the bus of one Ennis secondary school are continuing to go round in support of the local community. Students at Rice College are carrying out their studies at home as efforts to control Covid-19 continue across the country. And while the youngsters are hitting the books from the safety of home, the school’s mini-bus is being put to good use. The school has begun a Community Reach Out, using the bus to provide support for the elderly and vulnerable. Principal Louis Mulqueen and Deputy Principal John Burns explain, “Thankfully all of our students are engaged in Remote Learning and we continue to support parents and teachers in ensuring ongoing teaching and learning as we navigate our way during this difficult time. Teachers are doing phenomenal work in this new educational landscape.However Management at Rice College are anxious to do what we can to assist our community in this very difficult time in …

THERE will be an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous next Thursday at 8.30pm at St Senan’s National School in Shannon. While almost all meetings of AA are confined to people who have a desire to stop drinking, this is quite different, with anyone welcome to attend. This means it is a chance for someone who feels they could potentially benefit from what AA offers to find out a bit more about the organisation, for anyone who feels a loved one may have a problem or anybody who simply has an interest in finding out about AA. In relation to next week’s event, a spokesman for AA in Clare said, “An open meeting is a public one, open to anyone who wants to walk in. All AA meetings are closed, except for those. Members of the public, press, anyone who wants to attend, can come in. “There are two AA speakers, then an Al Anon member as well, who will give …

President of LIT, Professor Vincent Cunnane has welcomed the publication of the Financial Review of the Institutes of Technology and has called for the immediate implementation of actions to support the technological education sector. Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “LIT welcomes the publication of this HEA Review. The diagnosis is done, it is now time to implement the remedy.” “It must be said that there is a stark reality at the heart of this review.  It clearly demonstrates serious under-funding of Higher Education in Ireland, and points to a set of actions which must be undertaken to address the situation. “Despite the ingenuity and commitment demonstrated by the sector in recent years, the inescapable conclusion is that the prompt implementation of these actions is absolutely critical if the Higher Education sector is to deliver the skilled graduates necessary to sustain the growth in jobs that we have recently seen. “For our part, we in LIT will work with government, the HEA …

Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis in memory of the victims of last night’s attack in Nice, France. Councillor Bill Chambers, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council said, “On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the friends and families of the victims of this attack.” “I wish the people of France strength as they seek to overcome yet another senseless attack but I am confident that the abiding principals of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité will never be diminished by those who oppose them,” he said. Ennis is twinned with the southern French town of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, which is located west of Nice on the Mediterranean coast. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton said, “On behalf of my colleagues in the Municipal District of Ennis, I wish to extend our sympathy and support to the people of Saint-Paul de Fenouillet …

COMPANIES in Clare should “step up and provide corporate support” to West Africa, as it fights to contain the outbreak of Ebola, an Inagh man leading one NGO’s response to the disease in the region has said. Damien Queally of Plan Ireland has just returned to his base in Senegal from a visit to the charity’s projects in the three worst-affected countries. “We are looking for medical personnel, good solid project managers who are able to keep multiple activities moving at the same time, logisticians. It would be great if some companies would step up and provide corporate support with some of the supplies that are needed. Personal protective equipment for one person is about €50, a water hygiene kit is about €25,” he said. “After visiting the three countries, while I was a bit apprehensive going in, once I saw the hand-washing checks everywhere, the temperature checks everywhere…there is a lot more in place, my fear went. Having gone …