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New helpline for distressed mortgage holders

PEOPLE who have lost their jobs and are “distressed” about paying their mortgages have been increasingly turning to the Citizens’ Information Service for advice. Paul Woulfe, manager of the Citizens’ Information Service in Clare, has welcomed the launch of a new helpline for these people. The Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline is being launched this week by the Citizens’ Information Board for those in mortgage arrears or pre-arrears. The Government recently announced a range of measures in response to the mortgage crisis. As part of this response, the Citizens’ Information Board (CIB) has been asked to establish a Mortgage Arrears Information Helpline, initially for one year, to provide information and signposting in relation to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and the supports available for those in mortgage arrears or pre-arrears. According to Mr Woulfe, the helpline is being provided for callers with mortgages on residential property only. The particular target group for this initiative is those who have not …

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List of events Gathering pace

Dozens of novel ideas have been put forward as possible events for The Gathering Clare 2013, including a headline summer-long event to celebrate Daniel O’Connell’s political achievements and the MP’s link with the county. A series of other events showcasing Clare’s connections with historical world events and personalities and a Gathering event celebrating the West Clare Railway and its connections with Percy French have also been mooted. Over 160 people attended a recent meeting hosted by The Gathering Clare Steering Group, comprising Clare County Council and Shannon Development. Membership of the group is also drawn from various organisations including Clare Tourism Forum, GAA, FAI, Irish Hotels Federation, Clare Roots Society, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, ICA, Chambers of Commerce, Vintners Federation of Ireland, Clare Sports Partnership, Clare Library Service, Clare ­Community Forum, Clare Local ­Development Company, Ennis Town Council and Love Live Music. The group this week invited individuals, community groups and organisations planning an event for 2013 to have their events …

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Fearing the rise of social media

Late last week, John Waters wrote a column in the Irish Times under the headline Internet is debasing our public discourse. Throughout the article, he bemoaned the slide of public discourse into an off the cuff, tirade-style interaction where people spoke first and thought later. The starting point of his piece was the senseless abuse aimed at British Olympic diver Tom Daley on Twitter by a young man who has subsequently been arrested by police. The basis of Waters’ argument seems to be that giving people like this a voice is a great crime for which he holds the internet solely responsible. A flaw in the argument lies in the agency with which John Waters chooses to imbue the internet. This vast and complex interconnected system of computer networks is not an active force in the world in and of itself. The people who use it, for whatever reason, are the only source of its power and influence. I am …

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Takeaway owner fails to recover seized cash

An East Clare businessman who had over €45,000 in cash seized from him as he transited Stansted Airport on his way to Morocco has failed in his bid to recover the money.At Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court this week, 44-year-old Lahoucine Bguiguir, who owns the Tulla takeaway An Teach Bia, had argued the money was cash earnings he had saved over six years but this was dismissed by the magistrates.Mr Bguiguir, a Moroccan national, was stopped by UK Border Force Officers on October 8 last as he transferred through Standsted from Shannon Airport on his way to Morrocco.Initially, he told officers that the only cash he had was in his wallet but a subsequent search of his luggage uncovered five envelopes containing €45,500 in notes.The money was detained under the Proceeds of Crime Act.Mr Bguiguir subsequently claimed responsibility for €40,000 euros, with the remainder claimed by fellow Moroccan national Ali Souih, his business partner in the takeaway.The matter was back before the …

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Information available for the self-employed

THE Citizens Information Service in Clare has seen a substantial increase in the number of self-employed people using their services.Self-employed people are not entitled to Jobseeker’s Benefit or redundancy payments. However, according to Paul Woulfe, manager of the Clare service, there are still options available.“There is a perception out there that they may not be entitled to a Jobseeker payment. However, they can apply for a means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA). Self-employed people do not need to de-register as self-employed to get Jobseeker’s Allowance. They can continue to operate a business and work while getting JA, provided the income limits are not exceeded.”He went on, “The class S PRSI contributions paid by self-employed people mainly cover long-term benefits, such as the State pension. Many self-employed people are unaware that they are not covered for short-term benefits. Many feel it is unjust that they do not have the option of paying a social insurance contribution that would cover them for periods of …

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Camera club exhibition in Kilkee

SHANNON Camera Club members are celebrating 35 years of photography with the launch of phase three of their touring photographic exhibition. They are currently exhibiting in the gallery at Cultúrlann Sweeney in Kilkee. There will be an opportunity for the public to meet the photographers next Wednesday at 6pm.There are 49 exhibits from 30 of the club’s members, some recently enrolled but others who have been with the club since the beginning.The exhibitions have been very well received in Shannon and Scariff libraries and organisers hope it will be frequently visited in Kilkee. It will also be on display in Clondalkin during the National Audio Visual Championships in October.Shannon Camera Club is affiliated to the Southern Association of Camera Clubs (SACC) and the Irish Photographic Federation (IPF). The club meets on Mondays (except bank holidays) at 7.30pm in the Oakwood Arms Hotel from September to May. For more information, visit www.shannoncameraclub.com.  

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Agency posts €14m losses

SHANNON Development recorded total recognised losses of €14.37 million last year, while the amount of jobs at the Shannon Free Zone, Clare’s largest industrial centre, declined by 174.

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