Month: August 2008

HEADSUP Text, the text support service operated by Rehab and sup- ported by Meteor, is expecting to see a spike in the number of texts received from stressed young people during the ‘results season’. Almost 57,000 students sat the Leaving Cer- tificate this year and with thousands more expecting Junior Certificate and

college exam results over the coming weeks, the last days of summer could be extremely stressful for some of our young people. In August 2007, Head- sup received texts from over 2,500 people highlighting that not all young people are carefree at this time of Merle

Headsup is reminding students who may be feeling under pressure in the lead-up to exam results that help is on

hand. Headsup Text, a free and confi- dential 24-hour text support service, gives access to a range of helplines and support services on a range of topics for young people in difficulty throughout the year. At the touch of a button, the service can be accessed free of charge by all mobile phone us- ers on all networks. By simply texting the word “Headsup” to 50424, young people can receive information on a

range of topics, including teen issues, alcohol, suicide, drugs, relationships and mental health.

“The Leaving Certificate results, in particular, can represent a crossroads in a person’s life and it can be a par- ticularly difficult time for students whether they have concerns over their grades, decisions about their future or anxiety over starting college. While for some, it is undoubtedly a time of

celebration, for others it can still be a time of stress and isolation which is why it is crucial that young people know that they have somewhere to turn to for support and information,’ said Angela Kerins of Rehab.

The Samaritans, AL Anon, Aware, Women’s Aid, Childline, MABS and Bodywhys are amongst the many sup- port services offered through Head- SOF

EVER feel you’re not making the most of your talents, stuck in a rut at home or at work or could achieve much more if only you had the op- portunity? Then the Higher Educa- tion Grant Scheme could give you the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, to re-train, qualify or pursue the career you’ve always wanted. Even if you have found the course of your dreams but are worried about money the scheme may be able to help.

“In a recent case a man went into Shannon Citizens Information Cen- tre (CIC) who was unhappy at work. He’d spent years working as an elec-

trician in a specialist company but felt frustrated and limited career- wise. His hobby and real interest was photography but he felt it was too late (and too expensive!) to re- turn to education. The information officer suggested he might consider a photography qualification (for ex- ample, a degree) and explained the range of educational grants available to him. Now in his second year at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art & Design, the former electrician is doing extremely well. Although his income has changed, he receives a Higher Education Grant to help with the costs of returning to education,” said Paul Woulfe, Manger with the

Citizens information Service in the

eee ANe The Higher Education Grants Scheme provides means-tested

grants to eligible students on ap- proved courses. Application forms are available from your local author- ity or VEC. If you are already on a social welfare payment, the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) al- lows you to study at second and third level without losing your benefits. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the BTEA.

A candidate is deemed a mature candidate for the purpose of a grant if he is at least 23 years on | Janu- ary of the year of entry or re-entry

to an approved course of third-level education in an approved institution. Eligibility is normally calculated by comparing the reckonable income of the candidate in the year ending December 31 of the year in which he enters the course with the means test tables of the scheme in that year. In the case of mature students who are deemed dependent on their parents, reckonable income of their parents must be assessed. A mature student is deemed dependent on his parents if he ordinarily resides at home with his parents.

In the case of our electrician, his income entitled him to 75 per cent of the maintenance grant (part-mainte-

nance and full fees) as his earning in 2007 was below €42,235. The grant is worth ©2,565 per year to him. Students who qualify for grant as- sistance also have the student service charge paid on their behalf.

The non-adjacent rate of main- tenance grant shall be payable to all mature candidates who qualify, having been assessed either as a de- pendent or independent mature can- didate.

Make sure you apply early and study all the documentation, seeking assistance if necessary advises the Citizens Information Service.

The deadline for applying for the grant is August 29.

I HAVEN’T test driven many Citro-

en cars in recent years, but when I do they have been motors to remember. The C6 stands out as sheer luxury; the C4 Picasso is remembered for all that glass at the front and Citroen’s first SUV, the C-Crosser which was launched at the end of last year, is also a massive motor.

Last week I was testing the new C5 and straight away let me say that without a shadow of a doubt this car oozes class. Externally it looks really cool thanks to those beautiful front headlamps and inside it’s so roomy and comfortable. The rear end 1s also very attractive.

When you sit in the first thing that strikes you is the impressive array of slave controls on the steering wheel. They are not really on the wheel, but incorporated into a separate section that doesn’t move with the wheel.

Right in front of you get a digital speedometer, so no excuses for get- ting any penalty points.

Then you notice how comfortable the driver and front seat passenger seats are. They literally hug your posterior. Unfortunately you cannot see out over the bonnet and have to use your judgment when parking, but like most things in life you get used to it.

All good ads create a bit of con- troversy. And Citroen’s ad for the C5 where they say that the C5 is ‘Unmistakeably German, Made in

France, had the bloggers on over- drive. I haven’t seen the ads on Irish television, but you can of course

check it out on You Tube. We are all supposed to be Europeans now, yet there is no better way to start a row

than compare traits from different oles aloe I liked the line from the brochure

which simply stated ‘Passion meets Logic.’

I drove a diesel model and it was very quiet. There is plenty of room for five adults and the boot is huge. It would I feel be ideal for taxi drivers or even for chauffeuring work.

The car was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating, making the C5 one of the safest cars on the road. You get up to nine front, side and curtain airbags plus a specially cre- ated torso-shaped bag for extra safe- ty. In the Dynamique model I drove you also get a host of extras includ- ing 17 inch alloy wheels, fog lights, auto wipers, etc.

It really is a beautiful looking car and would I think look well in any driveway.

Prices start at €27,850 for the 1.8 petrol, while the price of the 1.6 diesel version I drove has dropped to €29,850 from July 1. Citroen say they are the lowest CO2 emissions manufacturer, yet the C5 is rated at the C Road Tax Band which is €290 per annum. Still I suppose it’s not bad for such a large motor.

Overall a most enjoyable drive. In the words of the old song ‘C’est si bon.’

WEST Clare has seen little commer- cial development under the current area development plan during a time of national prosperity.

According to Eilis O Nuallain, from the Forward Planning Section of Clare County Council there was a lack of applications for commercial planning permission since the area plan was enacted in March 2003.

“Within a period of growth it is strange that we didn’t get more com- mercial applicants within the settle- ments,” she said.

The planning expert was addressing a special meeting of the Kilrush area

councillors called to address the new west Clare area plan. The new plan must be adopted by March 2009, and the draft in place by September 25.

“It does seem that west Clare is not capturing what it should given its ad- vantage,” said Ms O Nuallain.

She told the councillors as part of her research she examined all of the planning permission requests in west Clare to see where the pressure points were.

“In situations where there was no pressure is it worth having land zoned?” she asked.

There are 36 settlements and five clusters in west Clare.

“If a cluster has not preformed or

developed in the period of a plan we need to discuss it. Leaving is as it is not doing any good,’ she said.

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) asked for a document outlining all the flood planes and storm drains in the area to be provided before the councillors agreed to any new plan.

Rezoning of land was also an issue of concern to council members.

“We need to take a serious look at what is zoned. There is land out in Cree that will never be sold and there are areas trying to develop,’ he said.

Director of Services and Kilrush Town Manager, Bernadette Kinsella assured the councillors that the plan would be the “members plan” and

the council officials would imple- ment it “whether we agree with all of it or not”’.

The west Clare area is now invited to have its say on the 2003 plans and how it worked or more importantly didn’t. On August 26, 27 and 28 council officials will be in Kilkee, Kildysat and Kilmhil to meet with the public to discuss the old plan and how the 2009 plan may work more SLUGS AUU DAY

People are invited to “drop in” be- tween 7.30pm and 9pm at locations yet to be organised and to make sug- gestions.

A draft plan will then be drawn up and the plan will go on display.

THE Health Service Executive has given a clean bill of health to a Crat- loe-based nursing home – but only after an earlier inspection produced a critical report on aspects of its op- eration earlier this year.

After an unannounced inspection in March, the HSE found that best practice was not being implemented in a number of areas in the operation of the 40 bed Sancta Maria nursing home at Cratloe.

The report found that the deficien- cies appeared to be due to insuffi- cient staff numbers, but also reflect- ed inadequate supervision of work

practices.

However the HSE report concluded that the inspection team considered that the nursing home had a good standard of management.

The report found that on the day of inspection, several beds were made up with stained, crumpled and untidy linen and recommended that those beds to be remade using fresh linen.

“Accommodation in some _ bed- rooms was quite congested, making cleaning, nursing duties and circula- tion in those rooms somewhat diffi- cult. A redistribution of beds within the home is recommended.”

The report suggested that “a suffi- cient number of competent staff are

on duty at all times having regard to the number of persons maintained and the extent of their dependency”’.

This followed the inspectors dis- covering that care attendants do the laundry in the nursing home.

‘This is inappropriate, as it reduces their availability to residents: their role should be solely in providing di- rect patient care. Many areas within the nursing home, particularly in the older part of the building and the kitchen, were poorly and inadequate- ly cleaned.”

The HSE recorded that the previ- ous inspection in August of last year found the nursing home to be “sub- stantially compliant with current

nursing home inspectorate regula- tions at the time of inspection”.

A spokesman for the nursing home said that the building was undergo- Thovcmmaet-y(O) Mm Kos AUDMOyEJevON(oUO MEI ME ROCoMmBD Dele of the HSE inspection earlier this year and has since had two inspec- tions where the HSE found it to be fully in compliance.

He said that all the requirements from the first HSE report this year had been complied with.

‘Before the March inspection, we never had a breach. This is a family run home and we maintain the high- est of standards. We get a lot of re- peat business and if families weren’t happy, they wouldn’t return.”

Saturday, August 16th:

SOME 30 Republican Sinn Féin members from all over Munster area staged a white line protest in Ennis on Saturday afternoon.

The protest, which saw the RSF members carry placards and block traffic while walking down the centre of the road, lasted for about an hour. It was designed to highlight Republi- can Sinn Féin prisoners in Maghab- erry Jail which, RSF officials say, are being denied POW status.

“We had a large turnout of mem- bers from the James Connolly and Brugh South branch of Republican

Sinn Féin,’ said Paddy Kenneally of Republican Sinn Féin.

‘The picket was designed to high- light the situation in Maghaberry and was timed to coincide with a simi- lar protest taking place on the Falls Road in Belfast.

“It was a peaceful protest designed to highlight five key demands for the prisoners up there; namely the right of free association, the end to con- trolled movement, the right to full- time education, separate visiting fa- cilities and the right to organise their own landing.”

There was a large Garda presence at the protest.

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary believes it 1s possible that Shannon Airport could be used in its planned transatlantic low fares airlines.

Addressing the Dail ‘Transport Committee, Mr O’Leary said that Ryanair were working on a plan for a new a transatlantic low fares airline.

Stating they hoped this would emerge from a major downturn, he said it was a possibility this new air- line would fly from Shannon.

The main focus of the plan was to Open up transatlantic services from Rome, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Brus-

sels, Paris and, perhaps, “somewhere in Ireland”’.

“I would be delighted to operate out of Shannon, if only to irritate the DAA monopoly. However, it would be on a much larger scale than sim- ply trying to operate transatlantic services out of Ireland.

‘As for the need for Shannon Air- port to upgrade its facilities and services, poor old Pat Shanahan (chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority) is blue in the ear from lis- tening to me stating he should stop upgrading Shannon’s facilities and services. They are absolutely fine.

“Airports have a compulsion to

spend money to upgrade things. They become nervous unless they are wasting money doing so. There is a brand new terminal there and now its management wishes to upgrade.”

“Ryanair has a major problem with Shannon Airport. It paid out between €30 million and €50 million in vol- untary redundancies to people who had not been very busy in recent years.

“While there is a human element to that, someone must pay for £100,000 redundancy packages. Unfortunately, it will fall back on Shannon because the cost should have been picked up by the DAA.

‘Shannon does not need the level of upgrade of facilities and services that it thinks it needs. It simply needs low costs and more routes from Ryanair and other airlines.

“Unfortunately, 78 per cent of the traffic is inbound. The good people of Ennis are not going to Frankfurt in November. It is generally German, French and Italian people coming back in there.”

“Tt 1s logical with the demograph- ics of Shannon. Its hinterland which takes in Ennis, has a population of about 150,000. I have friends in Nenagh who will always drive to Dublin rather than go to Shannon,” he said.

AS the influence of the Catholic Church in Ireland fades, 20 young Clare Catholics discovered the 1m- portant role religion still plays in the lives of their peers from other coun- WUE

The 20 from the dioceses of Killa- loe made the journey to Australia for World Youth Day with the director of youth ministry and Kilkee parish priest Fr Donagh O’Meara, and met with young people from all over the globe.

“When you go to something like this you get a sense of ‘this is 1m- portant’ to other young people from around the world. It is a type of en- couragement especially in a time when it (religion) does not seem to be so important in Ireland,’ he said.

The west Clare priest admitted that it was not as easy to find people to make the flight of faith this year.

“It was easier a few years ago,” he Sr nLGe

As well as a change in religious attitudes Fr O’Meara said that the distance the Irish had to travel for this year’s world youth event played rem Ore va

“This time the journey was long and cost would have played a factor. In the past we would have brought 30 to 40 people,” he said.

The event takes place every three years and is attended by the Pope. It will take place in Madrid in 2011.

Described as a gathering of the young people of the world by Fr O’Meara, the highlight of the event was on Saturday night when half a million of the world’s young adults

aged between 18 and 30 gathered in the Randwick Racecourse in Sydney for a vigil.

The candlelight vigil was followed by a concert and then the young peo- ple slept out under the stars until the following morning when Mass was celebrated by the Pontiff at 10am.

As well as learning to meditate, those that travelled also visited prayer groups and went to concerts as part of the 10-day event.

It wasn’t all prayer and adoration for the group from Clare however.

“People enjoyed themselves. We went out and had that craic and a few Sessions in the Irish bars,’ said Fr O’Meara.

The group also toured famous Australian tourist attraction includ- ing the Blue Mountains, the Opera House and Bondi Beach.

A FORMER award winning Clare FM presenter has claimed that he was not given a pay rise for ten years by the station.

The claim is highlighted in court documents lodged by the Ennis sta- tion to secure a “gagging order” against Tommy Kelly preventing him from speaking about his relationship with the company.

Mr Kelly (44) recently failed in his attempt to secure monies alleg- edly not paid by Clare FM for bank holidays or Sundays as he was “out of time” in bringing the case to the Labour Court.

The Labour Court case was the lat- est part of a long running dispute be- tween Mr Kelly and the station.

Clare FM secured the “gagging or-

der” preventing Mr Kelly from talk- ing about his association with the station and its affairs after a court hearing in October 2006 .

Documents lodged by Clare FM show that the source of Mr Kelly’s grievance is his claim that he was not given a pay increase by Clare FM over a ten year period.

Asked by gardai why he sent anon- ymous emails to the station’s chief executive, Liam O’Shea in 2001, the award winning presenter told gardai in July 2002, “I left Clare FM two years ago and I felt a little aggrieved at the way it ended and that I had been unfairly treated and I wanted to get some things off my chest.

Asked did he intend the emails or postcards to be construed as a threat to anyone, Mr Kelly responded, “No, it wasn’t a personal thing. It was

Clare FM and the whole experience that I had while I was there. I realise what I did was wrong, but again I felt like I was unfairly treated and I just wanted to get it off my chest”.

The station secured the court order at Ennis Circuit Court in October 2006 when Mr Kelly gave a sworn undertaking that he would not com- municate with third parties on the business of the station and Clare FM promised that they wouldn’t pursue Mr Kelly for costs. Clare FM has the option of re-entering the matter in court.

Court documents show that Mr Kelly admitted sending anonymous emails and postcards to the station in 2001 alleging fraud at the station. Clare FM states that there is no basis for the allegation of fraud.

No further emails or postcards were

sent until 2006 when Clare FM was part of a consortium seeking a re- gional licence that is now Spin South West FM.

However, in his affidavit, Mr Liam O’Shea said that in or about Septem- ber 2006, Mr Kelly “commenced communicating by email with a wide variety of organisations and indi- viduals in the world of broadcasting making allegations of fraud and oth- er allegations against Clare FM”’.

Mr O’Shea said that Mr Kelly’s attempts to generate adverse public- ity or to stir up resentment amongst unsuccessful bidders for the new li- cence and or to alienate Clare FM’s potential advertisers was calculated and without justification.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Kel- ly said, “I would love to speak about how I was treated during my time at

Clare FM but I’m not able to because of the court order”’. In an emailed query from