 I was out chatting the crack with Caroline there and Greg was doing all the daddy Slim ring up bro You were just doing your daddy, was that you kind of doing like Stretching Stretching right Stretching to a rhythm Yeah Some might call it that You look like Mr Motorvator, you could do the Mr, you know the motorvator thing in the morning I don't think there's an awful lot me and Mr Motorvator having common, I mean he's fit But you're fit too, so you play it down Greg but you're a good fit I feel fit to that, it's a terrible night sleep that's like I did too Six hours I had a dream, I dreamt that I was driving home and I was coming up to McClay's corner and Ant and Deck were filming And they're going to prank you? No, they were They were, Deck is the, he was arguing with some woman in the road, it was like a road ride instant Did you stop? See I'm very cute The other boy was, no I don't know Henry do The other boy was trying to say come on back off, back off, weird dream Have you ever dreamt with celebrities in your dreams? No No Anyone out there ever had a dream of strange Celebrities? Celebrities? Why Ant and Deck? I don't know, they're in the music box Haven't a clue why, that's why it's so randomly or I wouldn't mention it And what did you do to sit in the car and watch it? Yeah, then just drove on Did you take out your phone to it? Did you take out your camera to it? It was a dream, you see now you start to ask me questions as if it were real But it was a dream Was it in black and white or colour? It always feels like it's in colour Does it? Yeah, it does That was my night That was good Yeah, well And you slept for six hours That's the watch, tell you that How long I checked my watch? I had a bad night's sleep last night, nose in the bed God, he moves all over the place He's like a dinosaur in the bed I had Hudson's knees in my back all night Isn't it the things we have to... Where do you find the sleep thing on this again? Oh, I, how long? You don't do it live 7.7 hours and 13 minutes Well, that's all right That was good All right, have a good show, right? All right, take care of yourself, Lee 08, 6, 60, 25,000 WhatsApps and texts That number, I'll tell you all the other contact details After we get a news update And it is over to Donna Marie Daherty Thanks, Greg, good morning The North's Economy Minister says Invest Northern Ireland wants to change The way it does business And that will involve a lot more Consultation at a local level Questioned in the Assembly this week About the Development Agency's plans For the Northwest Minister Connor Murphy says What he envisages is a series of Plans that are specific to individual Areas based on local discussions Mr Murphy told MLA's Invest Northern Ireland will have A stronger and better resourced regional presence Which he believes will help kickstart Growth in the Northwest Every area in the Northwest Has its own particular interests In this regard What we are looking for is co-design A stronger regional presence A resourced regional presence Working in conjunction with council In businesses with the community and Voluntary sector, trade unions Other interests there So we agree a plan The plan that the area want Delivered in order to kickstart Growth in their area Is one that will be unique to each area Two men have died in a road crash In County Limerick It happened on the N69 At Valley England At around half past seven Yesterday evening Clecia Conley reports The men aged 19 and 20 Died when the car they were Passengers in Crashed into a wall on the N69 At Valley England At around 25 past seven Yesterday evening Two other men The driver and another passenger Aged in their late teens Were taken to hospital With non-life threatening injuries The bodies of the 19 and 20-year-old men Were taken to the mortuary At University Hospital Limerick Where a post-mortem Is due to take place The road remains closed this morning To allow for a technical examination And Gardie are appealing for witnesses Or anyone with video Or dashcam footage Of the road at the time To contact them at Askeet and Garda Station Meanwhile, a woman's been charged With coving the death Of a pregnant woman Who was hit by a car Near the Donegal For Man of Order 28-year-old Valerie Amorim died At the scene of the collision On the Boa Road Island On Monday night Two other pedestrians Were treated by paramedics The suspects due in court Later charged With a string Of driving offences More electoral candidate selections Have been made For the letter Kenny Milford To municipal district Vena Falls Four sitting councillors Will defend their seats Meaning councillor Liam Blaney Councillor Kieran Brogan Councillor Donald Coyle And councillor Donald Mandy Kelly Will all run again Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Has put forward A public monocle Who will also be defending his seat Alongside first-time candidates Sandra Houghie And Eula Qs Over 44,000 euro was invested In Donegal by Orsted last year The global renewable energy company Provided funding to community groups And initiatives including Northwest Community Development Skullnief Patrick And Bunkrana GAA Spree, August Sport Inc. And Donna were awarded 60,000 euro in funding Across three years And CEO Helen Nolan Says it allowed them To bring new ideas And programs to the community Looking out to weather, Wet and windy this morning With outbreaks of rain Gradually clearing Eastwards this morning Brightening up with a mix Of sunny spells and Scattered showers Top temperatures of 9-12 degrees That's all for now From Highland Radio News Back again at 10 o'clock This Daffodil Day, March 22nd We're going all in Against cancer All of the runners, The donors, The bakers, Makers, And bucket shakers Will be giving their all With the Irish Cancer Society To support them But the day won't be the same Without you and your support So go all in And get involved today At Cancer.ie It is the 21st of February 2024. You're very welcome Along to another edition Of your 9th Loon show. We've got loads lined up On the program Coffering a range of local issues, National issues, And beyond. We want your views as well. We platform them for you And it's been so busy And we really do appreciate it. 08-66-25000 WhatsApps and texts As we were going up Over the last few months We've got a number of Telecoms and telecoms And we've got a number Of social media Telecoms and telecoms And we've got a number Of social media Telecoms and telecoms And we've got a number as we were going our fair yesterday we were debating whether or not school uniforms should be done away with and we got a great response to that but we just ran out of time to get to the comments so if you text in we'll catch up on that as well and it's still open for debate some of the arguments being made where that there's no evidence that it decreases bullying or levels the playing field so to speak but then I think and we'll go through the text as I say that later on the majority of you out there in favor of the uniform personally I would be too but anyway we'll get your views on that and anything else you want to talk about you can give us a call to an 07491 25 000 or email us from wherever you're listening and it's always nice to know where you're tuned in from and often people who watch the show tell us that they're watching from far-flung places and some places not quite so far-flung but always tell us where you're listening from oh wait six six to 25 000 actually I was listening to I was someone messaged me and they said that they were they were climbing some mountain or something I can't remember where it was but they were halfway up the mountain and they listened to the podcast to the show at a base camp or rather and I thought well that's the strangest place anyone has ever said that they'd listen to this show but maybe someone out there can can beat that where's the strangest or most exotic place you've ever listened to the 9 till noon show or a podcast of the program it's available for you at one o'clock every day where is the strangest place and I'll allow you to decide what's strange or not where is the strangest place you've listened to this show or it's podcast either live or otherwise as I say someone listened to the program halfway up a mountain at base camp I thought well that's kind of cool but maybe you can beat that or maybe you can't it's up to you oh wait six six to 25 000 a couple of people actually messaging in about weird celebrity dreams if you've had any of those let us know about those two oh eight six sixty uh 25 000 all right it's a mix you know it's all about a mix let's go to the newspapers this morning the finn valley voice they tell us that shin fane select three candidates to contest lifford strunner lea uh at a packed villa rose hotel in balaba fe last thursday night shin fane selected three candidates to contest the local election in the lifford strunner local election area on the 7th of uh june they've got details of that um i'll not go through just for balance because obviously lots of uh candidates uh were announced overnight and you heard it on the news uh right the irish times good news um we flagged it yesterday and uh it came to pass um cross board a program to include key 600 million euro a five upgrade rebuilding one of the most dangerous roads in arland will take the lion's share of an 800 euro million government funding package for cross board of projects which was unveiled yesterday the long stalled a five upgrade between uh deri and akuna cloy in canty serone it was approved by the storm and executive 17 years ago well it's to receive 600 million from the shared arland initiative and comes in the wake of a high-profile campaign by families who've lost loved ones to the treacherous stretch there have been more than 50 fatalities on the road since 2006 with 10 dying in one year alone construction work on the new road which is part of the main route between doblin and uh donnie golb is expected to begin later this year a 50 million euro commitment was also given by t shock leo virad car to the redevelopment of casement park gea stadium in west belfast in the wake of it being chosen as a venue for the euro 2028 football tournament while further funding was guaranteed for the narrow water bridge project linking the county downtown of warren point with the cantaloupe lath village of omede in what will be a significant tourism boost for the wider area and also money put aside to or or is to be invested to facilitate hourly train journeys between um belfast and um doblin sorry about all the ums just have to think about that off the top of my head but i wanted to reference it all right so good news your action to that oh wait 60 25 000 as you can imagine it's been broadly welcomed i did hear some disquiet from landowners who may be affected but as i say at this point i think we have to look at the bigger picture and the amount of loss of life serious injury life changing injuries and uh just families devastated um by the condition of that current road and it's contributing to road traffic collisions i think just it has to go ahead at this point now doesn't it um brawl band is on the up a string of telecom companies are increasing their prices putting further pressure on household budgets this is the arish independent uh vodafone and three island are to hike their prices in the next two months the bills for some people unbundled plans will rise by 96 euro a year it comes after sky island said it would hit many of its 600 000 customers with price rises in its broadband and tv subscription fees the sky move will mean an average increase for households of around 52 euro a year from april the average increase of 4.1 follows a similar height last year hopefully uh hopefully because there's current customer prices new customer prices hopefully some of those costs if you do it and you should uh will be offset by people switching around but still it is a price that is another bill that's going on on to the irish daily mail now and shin fein would rerun the two upcoming referendums should they fail and has heavily criticized the wording of the proposed amendment to the constitution despite this the party is calling for yes votes in the two march eight polls one on the definition of family in a second that would remove references to women's duties in the home to be replaced with the recognition the role of carers of the role of carers in irish society party leader mary lou mcdonnell said the care amendment referendum was an opportunity missed by the government which it accused of having an abysmal track record on families and carers however she insisted that she does not secretly hope the referendum will fail in what would be seen as a kick in the teeth for the government launching the party's referendum campaign yesterday ms mcgloughlin senator lin boylan uh who is leading the campaign and health spokesperson david cullinan sharply criticized both the government and the proposed amendment in the constitution but be that as it may they are still endorsing a yes yes and they say that they will rerun it if uh they fail presumably uh if in power what do you think about that we have a history of being asked questions in this country making a decision and making a decision and uh then the question being brought back to us again uh it february has been an awful month on the roads with a gain referencing the a5 a little earlier on um an incredible loss of life so so many people have perished so many families destroyed and devastated and a particularly well i can't say particularly because all death is incredibly tragic but one which uh particularly um struck me a woman who was six months pregnant has died after a crash a police have confirmed the collision happened at bow island rolled in bleak cantive from anna just across the border from bali shannon on monday evening and is believed to have involved a car in three pedestrians the ps and i is named the woman who died as 28 year old valeria amorim from the bleak area the ps and i also confirmed that a woman aged in her thirties was arrested uh at the scene on to the irish daily mirror now and the government is failing homeless children a stark report warned yesterday the children's rights allowance gave t shockley of radcar and his colleagues a d grade on its commitment to reduce the number of families without their own place the social democrats said child homelessness was up 56 percent in the lifetime of this government with nearly four thousand children in emergency accommodation leader holly currents blasted how four years into this government we are still seeing so many lives devastated by homelessness and finally i'm not sure this will change your views on how much time our young ones spend playing games speed on their phones uh playstations xboxes pcs etc but anyway computer gaming can improve your memory and focus new research by irish experts revealed the study in the british journal of psychology found hardcore gamers perform better on tasks measuring cognitive functions than non gamers uh the experiment which took place at the leero esports science research lab at the university of limberick involved 88 young adults half of whom regularly played more than seven hours of action based video games each week and that doesn't surprise me because you have to think on your feet you have to think in milliseconds and uh you have to react and all that type of stuff so i think no more than sudoku or crosswords or word will can sort of help the brain i do think there is a within reason uh there's a it's a logical argument i think that gaming uh would also have the same impact okay 086625 thousand that's the whatsapp and text number or you can give us a call on 07491 25 000 the newspapers are courtesy of kelly centra mountaintop letter kenny the sea store national large forecourt of the year for 2022 the 90 noon show is brought to you by letter kenny credit union offering low-rate car loans with fast approval apply online at letterkennycu.ie or in office today enter the virgin media playhouse for unbelievable value from ireland's best broadband get 500 meg super fast reliable broadband for just 35 euro a month for 12 months and no activation fee when you act now switch in store or at virginmedia.ie virgin media it's playtime tees and sees apply see virgin media.ie subject to location and availability new customers only 12 month contract 500 meg broadband 70 euro thereafter ireland's best broadband awarded by umlaut see virgin media.ie forward slash proof charlie mclaffordie funeral directors serving letter kenny and the surrounding areas for over 100 years charlie mclaffordie funeral directors then our family take care of your family and guide you through a difficult time is the appearance of your staff important to your business it's the first point of contact for customers when entering your premises at cnn embroidery and letter kenny they have a huge range of clothing covering all areas of the workplace it's widely known the customers warm to and trust 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choose fun for all ages a legendary funda mania event first to the 17th of march for details see funda mania dot co.uk okay i received a number of contacts over the last couple of days and this is one of them and it concerns services at st joseph st joseph's hospital in strunaller and uh someone mentioned that i might like to know that the physiotherapy department and osc services are no longer going to be there the impatient i'm told will no longer receive rehab uh pt from the local area and will have to travel to the donagall hospital all livered for physiotherapy this is to carry out upgrade works on fire regs or the primary care services i'm told are still allowed to use that part of the building which makes no sense to this listener this is a service that will never return they fear to the hospital which has been a plan to get rid of the physio for a number of years just like the day services another valued service that was taken away overnight i know you're on the save our hospital uh but they're not this is obviously been forwarded to other people i know you're on the save our hospital committee which i'm not but as i say this was forwarded to a number of people you might be able to get word out okay um councillor patrick mcgowan joins me on the program now councillor have you had an opportunity to look into this is this something that was raised with you uh is physiotherapy uh ot services to be removed from st joseph's hospital yeah well the first we heard about this was yesterday and the hsa had started contact patients themselves that would have appointments they nobody else has been consulted as you knows they've been embargo with communication with td eason and councillors in the hsa there since last october that was only left at last week so when i spoke to them they knew nothing about it i have been trying to contact people from the hsa sorry this morning uh and yesterday evening but i've got no response back from nobody but it does from speaking to people within that the saves in joseph's hospital committee uh yesterday there's a great anger out there and yes the intent now anyway for fussy will no longer be able to get it so joseph now whether this is temporary or not apparently what's been on because um the day services were removed during covet because apparently i think was saying you can't have day services now within the confines of the hospital you're bringing people in cross-contamination now i have i have introduced the hsa to a number of builders or sorry property owners and valve offends to another and the and the region there over the last maybe six months a year they were negotiating trying to get a daycare service well that'd be temporary for a couple of years they're working on that they're actively at the moment they're they're negotiating with two or three people this fuzzy whole thing is completely out of the blue uh there is a room there's a very large room what they're planning to do the fact there's no communication with nobody the the hospital committee nobody else and it's just the ways the hsa seems to be doing their business and i can tell you this will be fought vigorously by everybody we're just totally disgusted the way this news is just leaked out and broke out and reminds you of the the bad old days like this didn't come from the minister and doblin announced and closings and jossus this was leaked out again i mean surely at the very least i would have imagined that this type of information should be given to members of the you know the the the the regional group to say by the way as such and such is happening it's going to be closed for a period of time or it's going to be closed permanently i mean that is the function of of of that committee you would imagine that local representatives are informed of plans and then they can tell the local community i mean like for people in the finn valley area who are in hospital at the moment and there's bound to be some now we've knocked those into the future as part of their recovery is part of getting out of let it kind of university hospital there would be some physio um you know so are we saying to people in balaba face from all or we're going to discharge you from let it kind of university hospital for physio in lyford or donningall town uh you know this is going to cause an awful lot of heartache and misery for patients and for their families as well and it's just come out of the blue and we've only heard about it because someone was good enough to leak the information yeah yeah look it's it's a total act of communication that reminds you of the bad old days it's us you know it's like a secret organization and the hse games had one that you know nobody is communicate nobody's talk has to say that the members of the hse forum were on the news black leaders and embargo on since october last year just till last week and i've spoken to them spoken to other have emailed the tds and uh ministers and everybody and when we get back i've only heard myself yesterday the same as the people in the town it's an absolute disgrace the way they're dealing they don't commute it's not that they even communicate never mind consultation it's a disgrace there's no i would love to see the councillor and that's trying to act like us it's an absolute disgrace number one that they don't communicate and number two we're not going to stand for this carry on of running down the services by stealth or by any other way it's yes heco might have come on heco needs to sit down and put it out on paper what the need and what to do and if the one there's plenty we there's plenty of room around st. joseph's hospital that's totally separate button there's land beside it that we have zoned and there's a buffer zone around it that can't be built on there's plenty of opportunities but nobody is talking to nobody but if this is about concerns about uh upgrades uh following that heco report i think centered on fire regs and what have you uh then nothing should be in there in this space you know but physio was being removed but uh the likes of admin and etc are staying in that so that where's the logic in that how how could it be uh how could it accommodate you know one body of work and not another if it's if it's off the back of a heco report again that doesn't make sense and now we're going to have to bombard the hsc with emails um and and and in three or four or five days maybe it'll be sooner i don't know we'll get a response and maybe they will say we hope to have these services returned by the 15th of june i'm just picking a figure out of my head right there's no suggestion of that and it's all this heartache and all this concern and all this distress for people often for no reason i'm not preempting what the hsc will say but it will probably be like dragging teeth and maybe the news might not be quite as bad as we first first thought feel i don't know when the information when the information is leaked like this this it causes so much pain and there's a space doubt that they've also uh they've also they've dealt with those temple services on there they were removed around the same time now to say they're providing them elsewhere and it's to say the daycare services were shut down because they couldn't bring people in and i know they're actively pursuing them on a temporary ground but like they're not talking to us or telling nobody it's it's an awful way to do it but actually we we have demanded now a meeting for for the local representatives and the sos committee like they need to explain themselves a way of doing business there's nobody of any confidence and nobody would believe what they're saying anymore you know it's just i think it's definitely next to the time that the cat of the wagon double and you know that there's not nobody would notice it like until it was spotted and highlighted you know i mean but don't tell us the truth what the long-term or short-term plan is and that's everybody that's the td's or councillors no we don't know either i call it says st joseph's lost its dental service it never returned shrapodist gone never returned day center gone never returned i was there yesterday and was told that they couldn't give me another date for my physiotherapy because they had to be out by friday and didn't know what was happening so to some extent it sounds like the staff are being kept in the dark as well i take it you know the makeup of this building and the house services are provided uh for a period if it's not still the case st joseph's was sort of seen as uh almost the default step down uh for for from letter kenny university hospital is this in any way linked to that i don't think so what happened there we had respite beds and st joseph's uh that's for local families getting care of plus step down hse stepped down some months ago and they've taken over the majority of them beds now a step down for eric in the hospital we have people from bell fence in order when they're coming in there again the hospital told to check maybe the care donor somewhere because there's probably people from eric in me and st joseph's like it doesn't seem to have any rationale any planning going on at all at least to have to come out and tell us short term long term we know there's a new 120 bed been built in there again and that will be very good that will be help and acute patients in the hospital step over respite but they won't tell us whatever reason will not tell us what's going on at st joseph's i do know as i said i do know they are actively pursuing uh uh daycare services that have been springing to a number of property owners in bell fae and around the area still in order and i've introduced them to couple and they are interested that can be called together but as regards to other stuff i have no idea at all stay where you are john queen is chair of the lyford community hospital group uh john good good morning to you good morning to you as all um right i'm surprised listen i'm saying barry barry mongolian there the counselor that uh everybody's been kept in the dark uh the hse that do keep people in the dark and so does the county council now the county county counselors as well they have to hold their hands up to and take some blame on this because this problem we're talking about now it didn't just happen overnight it's been going on for the last five ten maybe 15 years and it's been going on it's been going on since this new or this council has been on set to so it's not a new thing and i'm surprised to hear to hear them open arms already about stuff leaving and also from not one word not one word about what happened in lyford and that that's that's a disgrace not one word now i have to congratulate what happened in balachial and yesterday a new hospital had been up and opened and up and running that's the way we need to go and if people remember properly during covid we were in a bad situation where we had no beds for people empty and we had community hospitals all over the place that took tick rest by people out of the general hospital and free of beds that people were dying and yet now the county councillors and or five td's have to hold their heads in shame when they're allowed that to happen but john what we're in relation just in in relation to st joseph's i mean you know like there are plenty of opportunities for the hsc to inform uh the council i mean in fairness to the councillors they're learning this news just as we are they're getting the same correspondence i'm getting saying the hsc seem to have made this decision yes great can i highlight or highlight the fact that what's really going on as a lack of communication there is a kind of an embargo or a strike of call it what you want between the officials yeah that's what the civil servants and the county councillors the county council come to me last week and let him ball of a fey it's not patting to go on another one instead john livered hospital is on the go a scone a hundred percent a scone but he says we cannot get any communications from the officials in lufford because they're not talking to the county councillors and at the that's resulting this result in the likes of myself and county members and the wider community suffer because we cannot get the facilities we need and the hsc is using that to move stuff out of st joseph's and elsewhere because there's nobody nobody communicating with them and that is a problem yeah how in the name of god can a civil service like the officials refuse to talk to elective representatives and we're sitting back all people sitting back waiting and waiting on waiting the need to get in around a round table and put their grievances outside the door and sit down and talk about the benefit and the needs of the communities that they represent yeah i mean we can't we can't argue the tasks on whether or not that type of industrial action is justified and not people have their own opinion opinions on that john i'm gonna have to let you go i'm a former trade i'm a former trade unionist and was involved in something at a national level and local level and regional level i believe in trade unions have a have a job to do but this this is different this is where people are suffering from the lack of people getting around the table and discussing what needs to happen it's not an overnight thing this has been going on now for far too long i've had that he might go and knows about it well he's on the line with us canceling again i want to give you an opportunity to reply to that i have no disagree i've no disagree with what john said we do know there's a plan for lifford that's very advanced you know my colleague gerry crafford is the one posted inside and outside every leverage possible up and down we believe the same was happening in st. joseph's that those investments come into it we were mainly looking on that as you know the long term and short term and obviously worried about the services this came out of the blue yesterday as you say there's embargo for since six months or october so i know i'm a spoke to my colleague gerry crafford just to be clear on that for just to be clear on that that is that is linked to industrial action can you just for the listeners who may not be aware of what's actually happening there i'm not like john i'm certainly not having to go with the union say they have to use the decisions across but what i'm what we're saying here is they they any member the hse staff this the same happened in the country last year all year they they have refused to communicate with any td's ministers or public representatives whatsoever and that's across all levels is it just an embargo it's it's their tool obviously but it's linked to the is it linked to recruitment in bar go career progression bar go what have you okay and and what happened that's been left with last week now we had the same in the council before so hopefully progress meant okay but that that you know that themselves are there and there's nothing to stop you know just to refuse to communicate with the public never mind that politicians forget about them communicate and put it out there tell exactly what's going on with the daycare services like and you know i'm worried now but everything because you know that this one one service the better than every other service okay stay there paul anderson is going to be affected by this news paul thanks for the time this morning what's your situation what's your reaction to what we're learning i think it's terrible i think it's terrible uh the local services are being pulled out of st joseph's i've i've experienced um physio on three three occasions and it's got me up and about um with the great professionalism of the physio in there uh where where um rather than having to go three quarters an hour or half an hour to let a kenny in a traffic jam um uh having a local service um apart from that they've withdrew the day services uh where have the where where do the people go for them day services they're very well needed for especially for older people living alone and they've just disappeared no word about them and paul have you finished your physio have you finished your physio now at the hospital or do you would would you need to go back i broke i broke my i broke my leg and gumbo woods last year right um and um it took a bit of treatment to get me up and walking again but they were brilliant in there i must say um i went through a lot of pain um but the physios with their humor and their professionalism were were absolutely top class all right paul listen thank you for that cancel them again before we wrap this up for now we'll come back to it of course you know this is people who can travel uh sometimes you know what i mean if donogalt hand i mean they're for some people it's like well where do i even begin how do i do that i mean we we understand that we can't have all these services on everybody's doorstep that's not what we're talking about here these are regional services no what we want here greg bellface north is the third largest town in the county it's the largest in the donogalt south west by far the next towns are half the size so we start taking them out of the large towns now and put them into smaller towns this wouldn't happen on letter kenny it wouldn't happen in donald this is just simply not on i have friends neighbors families everybody has affected us the phone calls is hopping here and something we will not be accepting but again it's going back and john said it's about communication what's wrong with them they're public servants and starting to start to act like it must i gotta know who is it somebody in russia is paying them it's certainly you would think you wouldn't think i'm saying these people was paying them it's an absolute disgrace okay thank you very much for that that's uh counselor patrick regan we also heard from john quinn and paul as well uh if you've any views on that oh wait 60 25 000 whatsapps and texts we will make our inquiries to the hsc to get something on the record what is the commitment is it temporary uh is it open ended why what will have to happen for these services to return i don't understand why we always have to play whack-a-mole with these issues why not have just informed us why not send a press release out of contact local representatives and and and say you know and this is this didn't happen i'm making it up uh say that due to essential upgrade works of st joseph's hospital unfortunately physiotherapy services will not be available uh for four weeks uh they will be offered here or here uh and hopefully they'll return on such and such a date that's not what was put out instead what happened is people heard about this on the qt why can't they just communicate with the public why can't they communicate with the elected reps and the press why have this heartbreak heartache and uncertainty every single time with these issues it is so frustrating watch the show live now on youtube facebook and at highland radio dot com the nine-toned show with letter kenny credit union simplify your debts with a debt consolidation loan from letter kenny credit union call us on zero seven four nine one zero two one two six or apply online via our app or in office today hello jedward speaking sorry edward speaking hey bro i'm glad you picked up who is this it's me john i'm literally outside in the landing i don't know any shan lose my number hello edward don't hang up i'm sorry for saying a handyman could fix the gas boiler please forget always use a registered gas installer or you could risk everything find one at or g i dot ie open your future by attending northwest regional college open days this is your opportunity to visit your local campus tour the fabulous facilities sample the college experience and apply for your course running from 12 noon each day beginning 27th of february strip an campus 28th of february stran rodent springtown campuses and 29th of february limivari and gravestone campuses register online to attempt to win a high spec laptop northwest regional college open days from here to career are you building rebuilding or renovating what heat pumps or solar panels would suit your build come along and speak to the experts efficient renewables on heat pumps and solar panels get advice on installation and grants available visit the efficient renewable showroom in newton conningham and see these products in operation for yourself do you need a uk address save hundreds of euros on custom charges shopping online with space hop dairy we provide a full virtual address mailbox service for all your business and personal use save hundreds possibly thousands on custom charges with space hop dairy call 04871878077 or online spacehopdairy.com for more details the way you eat a creme egg says everything about you if you eat yours in small nibbles that means you're real deep you can sense when someone's about to text you your dreams mean stuff and you keep all your birthday cards in a special box search creme egg test to find out who you really are can't be creme egg how do you eat yours now we are going to loretto milford community school and to talk to three transition year students brianna mickey good morning to you brianna you can't hear me okay right okay we'll have to kick you out and bring you back in the game we're going to be going to the students in a moment give us a thumbs up if you can hear can you hear me now no nothing you can't hear me now okay brianna mickey how are you good good to have you with us grace doherty's there as well hi grace hi and also neve mcgloughlin yeah and all of a sudden miscalled on a vanishing act whatever's going on there okay there she is i just saw her pee puffer right so um tell us about this project that you're working on uh i don't know which one of you want to start the conversation maybe you brianna if that's okay uh you're working on spreading the awareness of water safety why did you uh choose this uh conversation um because we're in our class as a lifeguard and she's really associated with water safety so it was just good to know that someone in the class knows what was going on yeah it's grace it's good doesn't it to have someone who you can lean on that's involved in uh water safety island to train lifeguard i believe she is as well it's not one of you three it's a fourth student is that right yeah that's correct all right so tell us how you're trying to spread awareness grace and so we hope to raise awareness with this project and by combatting the issue of drowning it's drowning it's such a cut uh death and ours has been over 100 deaths in Ireland every year from 2018 last year there were 76 and eight of those happened right here in Donegal and we believe this is due to a subsequent lack of knowledge surrounding water safety we believe this starts in primary schools as not enough children are learning to swim when they're primary schools this is also because of COVID as a lot of lessons stopped during COVID and people began to create a fear so to combat this issue we have created a book Splashing Friends Adventure in Water Safety this is targeted at younger primary school ages and preschool classes in hopes to make them more aware of water safety we've also created presentations to bring to the first year classes to help with their awareness we carried out a survey with our first year students of the 138 students we surveyed 15 of those students couldn't swim 79 had a basic ability and confidence and 42 believed they would be confident enough to jump in the save a life we also asked these students where did they learn how to swim 115 said they learned in pool lessons and 45 said they learned with primary schools and we believe this isn't enough this brings us back to our previous point about the lack of importance surrounding water safety in primary schools just on that just give us those figures again how many students did you speak to we spoke to 138 students and how many could said they could swim so 15 said they couldn't swim 79 said they had a basic ability and confidence and 42 believed that they were confident enough to jump in the save a life yeah and i'd say the 79 feel they could probably jump off a pier and get back to the step sort of a thing rather than maybe you know actually swim three or four lengths or something along those lines and neve to i suppose is particularly with us being a coastal county with a massive coast i think we often associate water safety with the sea but very sadly an awful lot of lives are lost in you know flooded quarry quarries you know rivers lakes and what have you so it's important isn't it that the safety messages across all of our waterways at neve are not just the sea yeah it's good to cover like everything or everything yeah what has there been the reaction um Brianna what has been the reaction to the students that you've spoken to do you know what i mean that like are they are they keen to sort of go yeah do what i'm trying to get out here is do you think there is a willingness for young people to learn to swim if you know the schools and adults do more to sort of facilitate that um i think in secondary it would be too late i think it's better to introduce swimming lessons in primary school yeah most of the students we spoke to were some most were keen to get into the water but some were fearful they've never got lessons or been able to be taught we noticed this whenever we did kayaking with our class group as many students were fearful to actually get into the water at all it remind actually kayaking did you not having enough swimming lessons yeah for sure and listen you know there are challenges in that um we would know the likes of inner shone has no public swimming pool no availability so schools have to take students into dairy or into private private facilities so there is a there is an inconsistency of available facilities around the county for this but look it's something certainly i think as a coastal county with the in in land water it's something we really need to be working on um neve how much have you enjoyed this part of your transition year experience getting into a project like this yeah it's definitely something different anyway and it's it's good to like all work together on the same topic like of something we're passionate about as well yeah brina is that uh brianna is that your experience as well if you enjoyed working on this project yeah um it's definitely brought our class together more that we're all passionate working on something and the fact that we might get to go away for the actual um competition then as well yeah talk to me a little bit about that brianna when is the competition and the 13th of march okay brilliant stuff and finally grace you actually have this doc this book available now do you yeah um so we're hoping to roll it out now to primary schools this week and myself and the gurney's a lifeguard we're going to visit a few primary schools and a local play school to read them the book to help them understand the differences in the different flags on the beach as that's very important surrounding water safety yeah and how many students could describe what a rip tide is for an example and what are the dangers of it i'm not going to ask you now but you know what i mean it's uh these are some of the dangers that we have in our waters and i think it's important and that people enjoy the water and are confident to be able to go in and have fun and understand the dangers rather than us all running around scared to go into the water do you know what i mean i think particularly in a in a in a county with such a beautiful coastline okay well listen congratulations to all of you um and uh i look forward to seeing this actually because i think it's a really good thing it amazes me how many people can't swim even fishermen and fisher women fishers as they're called generally now you know the amount that can't swim it's astonishing yeah we really should be swimming okay listen thanks to all three of you thanks to miss coil as well for facilitating the chat and uh best look how would you know what is the next stage grace in terms of um i think it was Brianna mentioned um a competition or what's what's happening next yeah so we're going to speak about competition in slago where we like bring our project to the stage and we do a talk and we have a bit of like a creative side to it we're going to do a bit of like a showcase of what happens whenever someone drowns and then how the lifeguard comes to save them that's not scary at all need is it the whole idea of okay all right okay uh listen well done all three of you have a lovely day thanks so much uh and get back to class uh that's Brianna McGee grace to hearty neve mcglockland they're transition year students from loretto milford community school their project for the transition year is spreading the awareness of water safety and it's for the young social innovators competition and early next month they head to slago to make their presentation and we wish them well and if you are a teacher in a school or a student in a school or the parents of students in school regular listeners would know we love to platform uh the amazing work that our young people do and the innovation and the ideas that come up with so feel free to contact us uh because that's after what happens someone contacts us and then we get them on simple as that right if money is being made available for the a5 upgrade when is the lyford road uh upgrade starting there was t10 money there as well i'm i just wasn't able to dig that out leave it with me i'm coming back to that uh the dental clinic in st joseph's closed two years ago during covid none of the county councillors did anything about it according to this listener i'm not sure i can't remember everything uh there are offices in that building now why do the only care now um is the question maybe there was so much going on i don't want to be apologized but um i can't i i don't know if um no one said anything at that time but i do appreciate it i do appreciate your comment there the nine till noon show is brought to you by letter kenny credit union digital loans now available apply online or via our app today and get your loan transferred directly to your current account in southern malawi communities are facing extreme floods followed by extreme dry spells melita is a single mother who farms to support her four children in 2023 a record cyclone ripped across her farm with rain waters destroying crops and damaging her home when her farm faced a withering dry spell later in the year melita was left wondering how she would access safe water or feed her family again trokha is working with melita and thousands more like her to adapt to the devastating effects of climate change you can help them build a more secure future visit trokha.org or call 1-800-408-408 together we can make a lasting difference this extreme weather report on highland radio was brought to you by trokha uno dos tres ahain adoa three one two three the orona the ateka and the terraco three great suvs from seat and when you order now you can enjoy three years free tire insurance and three years roadside assistance plus three flexible payment options to purchase your new seat visit seat.ie to discover even more of our fantastic offers great things come in threes at dmg motors dunigalt town and while i have three seconds allow me to say that yes terms of conditions apply a public interest message from dunigal county council water flowing onto roads damages the road may cause an accident when it freezes or leaves mud and stones lying about dunigal county council reminds landowners and occupiers of land that they are responsible for ensuring water is prevented from flowing onto roads from their land checking and fixing drains on your property and ensuring you complete works on your planning permission will help you comply with your responsibilities dunigal county council would like to thank the many members of the public who have already carried out this work dunigal county council supporting communities and the environment highland radio weather updates brought to you by grant building a new home choose grants a triple plus rated air owner air to water heat pump and you flex underfloor heating visit grant.ie now wet and windy to begin today without breaks of rain gradually clearing eastwards this morning brightening up from the west with a mix of sunny spots and scattered showers temperatures 9 to 12 degrees they'll occur early on but cooler air will spread into the region this afternoon fresh to strong southwest to west winds will ease later so it's going to get more seasonal in terms of our weather right to you i'm joined on the show now by stella farron good morning to you stella how are you keeping good morning greg and well good thanks for having us on today no it's good to have you on sorry it took took a while right a new single has been released it's free to download from soundcloud or google drive and it's called full redress and i think anyone who listens to this show anyone from dunigal will have a fair idea what it's about so i think it was you and your sister lorraine macaulay decided to work on this project give us the background to it yeah that's correct and myself and my sister lorraine who i have to say is the real singer songwriter of the family and wrote the song together about just before the first micomarch in dublin but it came about it's just sitting uh lorraine with her guitar and me talking about how i felt has been an affected homeowner um i suppose the song came about from a feeling of frustration and disillusionment and feeling i suppose that we were being held accountable or responsible for something that was beyond our control and essentially as a homeowner we did nothing wrong so i kind of put down the words and together we came up with an acoustic version we had marita turris join us a cousin of her own who's fabulous at harmonizing and we had it there but we never really did anything with it and then just prior to christmas this year again there was a few friends gathering and friends like local and a show musicians as the well-known henry gears lorraine and jolyn and we kind of felt that maybe the song could change to more an up-tempo anthem i suppose a protest anthem sort of to i suppose describe our own personal feelings and how we're all affected and watching our families and friends and communities suffering sort of her mental health and this injustice that's kind of affecting us and i think changing the i think i think changing the tone of the song is quite interesting because if it was very slow and ballady you know it could seem as if it's a cry from victims which it is of course as well but but in in in mixing it up a little bit it actually becomes like a fight if that makes sense is that some of the the thinking behind it yeah i think so i think probably initially it was like quite melancholy you were kind of feeling quite alone it was prior to the first make of march and to all extent you didn't feel alone you know but there has been a great coming together i suppose of people and i mean shout out to mag and all the work past and present they have to bring the scheme to where it was but still i think the anthem felt for like personally i can't access to the scheme at the moment and you know you're listening it's becoming a bit of a political football back and forth and at the end of the day you know it's the homeowners that are listening to the homes cracking the children frightened and you know raise your voice enough is enough when when is something you know give us some hope when is something going to change and you know a genuine sort of full redress coming down the line okay tell us where the song's available because i want to leave enough time to play before the news at ten um the song is available on Spotify the song is available on google drive and we have posted the song on our own personal pages and i think it's been shared on a few pages as well so the link is there free to download for any effect if you want if you want to look for it you'll not be long finding it full redress okay and it is available um on i think next week as well on iTunes to download okay and i have to say it just is a hope to raise awareness and put the crisis keep it on the top of the political agenda and it's a very therapeutic song if you download it turn it up in the car and sing in the kitchen raise your voice enough is enough take care of yourself thank you very much thank you for joining us thanks for your time the banks don't care well up to 60 000 euros visit letterkennycu.ie the life of a charlie's chip is never dull once they're selected they're off to charlie's where they lose the jacket have a nice wash and once they get into shape and get ready out they go to meet the public side by side with a nice burger some fish or chicken enjoy charlie's chips to sit in or take away daily from 12 to 8 a pierce rolled letterkenny when the hunger hits pull into charlie's you're ready to elevate your driving experience look no further than i motors your only nissan dealership in the northwest the nissan x trail has been crowned large suv of the year that's right it's not just an suv it's an award-winning experience on wheels available in four wheel drive and a seven-seater visit us today at iMotors.ie to find out more. Donegal e-tvs for the education and training fair is on next week in the radison blue hotel letterkenny. Wednesday evening the 28th from 7 to 9 is aimed at leaving cert students their parents and those in employment looking to upskill with talks on courses and apprenticeships then thursday the 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is for anyone interested in full and part-time education or training opportunities this free event is perfect for finding out about the various options offered by Donegal education and training board across the county. How would you like to go on the join us for the highland radio hooli in sunny saloon spend seven nights in the sun with some of ireland's top entertainers including robert mazel jim divine margo claudia buckley and many more with live music all day every day staying in the beautiful four-star sol costa gerrata hotel this is a trip not to be missed book now by calling country music tours on zero seven four nine one one nine nine five five or email info at country music tours dot ie we'll see you in sunny saloon air online and on the highland radio app this is highland radio news good morning it's donna marie dory with the news at 10 o'clock concerns have been raised in relation to the future provision of physiotherapy and occupational therapy in st joseph's community hospital while buffet the hsc says the news follows a hickwit inspection local councillor pattern gown says he's disgusted in the manner in which the news was delivered he says there was not an official announcement per se but it had leaked what they're planning to do the fact there's no communication with nobody the the hospital committee nobody else and it's just the ways the hsc seem to be doing their business and i could tell you this will be bought vigorously by everybody we're just totally disgusted the way this news is just leaked out and broke out and reminds you of the bad old days like this didn't come from the minister and doblin announced the closings and joseph's this was leaked out adoni gall deputy says a multi department approach is needed to deal with the defective concrete block crisis deputy joe mcquee told the story of a family who began the process of joining the scheme in 2020 before the young mother sadly passed away a year later she left behind her husband and three children the father has since been asked to reapply for the scheme and this according to deputy mcquee is unacceptable in the words of the husband this is an awful weight hanging over us this family has been asked to reapply again to start the process again to start the long process of applying to get on the defective blocks scheme four years later there has to be flexibility in the scheme which accounts or lends itself to facilitating people in this situation there still is a disconnect in the understanding of what people are going through the psychological burden is too heavy for people to endure the north's economy minister says invest northern ireland wants to change the way it does business and that will involve a lot more consultation at local level questioned in the assembly this week about the development agency's plans for the northwest minister connor murphy says what he envisages is a series of plans which are specific to individual areas based on local discussions mr murphy told mlas invest northern ireland will have a stronger and better resource regional presence which he believes will help kickstart growth in the northwest region every area in northwest has its own particular interests in this regard what we are looking for is co-design a stronger regional presence a resource regional presence working in conjunction with council in businesses with the community and voluntary sector trade unions other interests there so we we agree a plan the plan that the area want delivered in order to kickstart and support growth in their area is one that will be unique to each area two men have died in a road crashed in county limerick it happened on the n 69 in belly england at around half past seven yesterday evening cleavesha connolly reports the men age 19 and 20 died when the car they were passengers in crashed into a wall on the n 69 at belly england at around 25 past seven yesterday evening two other men the driver and another passenger aged in their late teens were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries the bodies of the 19 and 20 year old men were taken to the mortuary at university hospital limerick where a post mortem is due to take place the road remains closed this morning to allow for a technical examination and guardian are appealing for witnesses or anyone with video or dash cam footage of the road at the time to contact them at askeaton guard station meanwhile a woman's being charged with causing the death of a pregnant woman who was hit by a car near the donnie gull for mana border 28 year old valeria ma morham died at the scene of the collision on the bow island road on monday night two other pedestrians were treated by paramedics the suspects due in court later charged with a string of driving offenses a campaigns underway to reach those who were seriously injured in the troubles but living outside northern ireland it comes as a fund to compensate victims due to close is due to close in just over two years times so far almost 35 million pounds has been paid out to those with permanent physical or psychological injuries looking to weather wet and windy to begin today wednesday with outbreaks of rain gradually clearing eastwards throughout the morning brightening up from the west with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers top temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees will occur early on with cooler air spreading from the northwest this afternoon fresh to strong southwest west winds will ease later that's all for now from hide and video news back again at 11 o'clock the obituary notices this wednesday morning february 21st the death has taken place of nail trainer nine patrick street striban reposing at quigley's funeral home today from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. funeral leaving the funeral home tomorrow at 6 30 p.m. to the church of the immaculate conception striban for rakeway mass on friday at 10 a.m. interment afterwards in striban cemetery the rakeway mass can be viewed live via the parish webcam the death has taken place of chris toy lower mount marion milford reposing at the residence of his mother kate toy 11 gray rock milford from 1 p.m. today house private to family and close friends funeral mass on friday at 12 noon in st peter's church milford burial afterwards in milford cemetery the funeral mass can be viewed on church services dot tv the death has taken place of edwin pattern knock bali buffet remains reposing at his late residence from 6 p.m. today funeral leaving there on friday at 10 15 a.m. for rakeway mass in st mary's church session at 11 a.m. interment afterwards in the adjoining church yard the rakeway mass will be streamed live via the parish youtube channel family time from 10 p.m. to 11 a.m. and on the morning of the funeral the death has taken place of liam cassidy selbridge kildare formerly of kill mcrennan reposing at his residence tomorrow evening between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. removal on friday morning to st patrick's church selbridge arriving for funeral mass at 11 a.m. followed by burial in barrentown cemetery county wexford the death has taken place of margaret greta kohl galdona manor conningham her remains are opposing at her late residence funeral leaving there tomorrow afternoon at 1 15 for 2 o'clock funeral service in newton conningham presbyterian church followed by burial in the family plot in the adjoining graveyard family time please on the morning of the funeral family flowers only donations in lieu to st yoon's nursing home comfort fund care of any family member or tarence mclintock funeral director the death has occurred of carline dixon fawn county donnie gall and dairy city removal to st murray's church of ireland fawn tomorrow afternoon arriving at 2 the death has taken place of charlie mcginley eight iona road letter kenny originally from rana firstia reposing at his late home today from 12 noon until 9 p.m. with rosary at 9 o'clock funeral from there tomorrow morning going to st yoon's cathedral for 11 a.m. rakeway and mass which can be viewed live at church services dot tv followed by burial in conwall cemetery family time please on the morning of the funeral family flowers only please donations if wished to friends of letter kenny university hospital care of pasco blake funeral director the death has taken place of city arnold formerly curinamone and st vinson's close ballet buffet remains reposing at mccool's chapel of rest ballet buffet today from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. rosary at 9 o'clock funeral leaving there tomorrow at half past 10 for 11 a.m. rakeway and mass in the church of mary immaculate strunnorler interment in drumbo cemetery rakeway and mass will be streamed live via the parish webcam donations in lieu of flowers if so desired to burn as few ward st joseph's community hospital care of any family member the death has taken place of bobby tan kill the clue creaselet donnie gall reposing at his home today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. funeral in st michael's church creaselet tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. with burial afterwards in dole cemetery mass can be viewed on mcn dot live family time please on the morning of the funeral family flowers only please donations in lieu of desire to st vinson to paul creaselet care of any family member or james harkin funeral directors for family information and more details regarding wakes and funerals please go to highlandradio.com nashervisha slanta and now in rose 2023 best local original news program the voice of the northwest the nine till noon show with greg hughes good morning to you very welcome back to the program it's 10 past 10 on this wednesday the 21st of february 2024 low's coming up over the next couple of hours to stay right where you are earlier on we were talking about and if you weren't listening why not we were talking about concerns over the loss of physiotherapy services from st joseph's hospital in strunalla we also spoke to three great students from loretto in relation to an awareness drive that they're involved in to increase water safety amongst younger people my mom and myself need physio none of us drive and getting two letter kenny would be hard my mom is 89 st joseph's was a vital service and it's a disgrace that it's been taken away none of the councillors deserve our votes after what they've done to st joseph's hospital and councillors will say that they can lobby and all but these are hsc decisions but again i only say that for balance not to contradict your point of view or to say that you're wrong we're in contact with the hsc to try and get some clarity on the situation the same goes for the bonkrana community hospital which used to be called the bonkrana community nursing unit it's been downgraded for the last few years day services have been moved to the sleeve schnack centre outside bonkrana and that's the story we covered quite a bit in this show as well and just to be um just to make sure that everyone is aware that this is your show as well and uh often well a lot of what we talk about it's off the back of listeners and others who say look this is happening um can you do something about it or can you publicize it uh we don't know everything so we rely on on you listeners out there for what's happening in your area or something that you want us to talk about i'll think something you need to be talked about and that extends by the way to a good news story that you you think should be talked about as well it's not we're not just here trying to harvest bad news as well we do our bit as much as we can to try and address uh issues but we're here for uh a plethora of things good and bad uh so you have to get in contact with us too if you think we're not talking about something you believe we should be oh wait six six to twenty five thousands the whatsapp and text or give us a call on 07491 25 000 right um let's see we were talking about school uniforms yesterday and this is the i want to catch up on some of the comments we've got a flurry of comments uh that came in it was a debate and whether or not uh school uniforms should be done away with arguments being made that in countries where there are no school uniforms there's no increase in bullying and what have you and uh some conflicting evidence as to whether it levels the playing field so in other words going to school doesn't become a fashion show uh i'm just going to read your texts as they came in my god could you imagine the bullying that would go on in this day with mobile phones etc look what she he had on today and all of a sudden it's around half the school and that per child who cannot afford certain clothes is laughed at keep school uniforms and from my perspective look we had a you know we we had a good upbringing mom and dad worked very hard to um you know you know to get us the stuff that we needed for school and what have you but there's a lot of us and um you know a lot of hand-me-downs uh and other things and i don't want to talk i don't want to mention it in case it sounds like i'm i wouldn't change a thing but i do remember the feeling of going into school and with the best will in the world you know i knew i probably didn't have the same close as other people look as well as other people what have you and it was tough you know and it's tough on the young mind as well and and some of these things do stick with people so i would be an advocate of school uniforms but i'm not hard and fast in my rules and um i'm not hard and fast in my rules my opinion sorry they can't change but what i would like to see i do like uniforms but i want to see them affordable i want to do away with this one-upmanship among schools that seems to be there about you know having to get fancy jumpers out of particular shops no i don't want to do any shops any damage either but you understand there has to be another way of doing it uh you know having to get the tracksuits the tracksuit tops the the jackets and i don't know well you don't have to get them but if other people do get them then the it's mom dad can i have this anyway i call it says at least when you buy a uniform it does them for school year i prefer that than trying to keep them fitted out for a full year in the latest brands every day or week for a school year i think it's rubbish debate the children can be individual and have their own personality while still wearing a uniform for me as a parent a school uniform is a good thing because i can't afford to buy labels for my kids or have a mountain of clothes for them to wear the uniform means no one can tell how rich or how poor some families are as for the gender argument i think that's been thrown out as an argument far too much how uh now yes to uniforms here i think the gender thing actually might really be one of the key triggers for that conversation is kind of what the feeling i've been getting with what i've been reading over the last uh while i think that actually might be about that this this might be what this latest debate is actually about rather than it being a um a side issue parents have enough clothes to wash with the cost of electricity without this carry on plenty of time to express themselves out of schools there's ava lovely name ava do we need a fashion show at school every day asks a listener please do not do away with uniforms says another i wouldn't be able to keep up with the jones's please don't uh on uniform so good for this reason another it makes troublemakers at lunchtime easily identifiable keep them says a listener another uniform so the best thing that ever happened no distinction between the well-off and the rest of us and another caller says on a completely different issue should be no school homework but that is a debate in and of itself especially with everyone having such busy lives uh so the knows have it in relation to should uniforms uh be done away with people don't want them unanimously the people texting in the show so far today are in favour of them and i have to say uh i would be too for every reason that was outlined in those texts it's time for vision ireland bingo on highland radio it's wednesday the 21st of february you're playing on the blue sheet the reference number is s 18 it's game number eight the numbers are 13 59 7 51 57 88 72 11 23 and finally 82 phone your claim tonight one zero four eight double three before eight tonight leaving your name contact number and the name of the shop where you purchase your book and we'll call you back the next working day get all your vision ireland bingo information at highland radio dot com relay for life dunny goll is back and is now open for team registrations as a community we relay together to celebrate cancer survivorship remember those we've lost and fight back by raising awareness will you join us gather your friends and family and enter your team register today at dunny goll relay for life dot com together we can make a difference do you need a uk address save hundreds of euros on custom charges shopping online with space hub dairy we provide a full virtual address mailbox service for all your business and personal use save hundreds possibly thousands on custom charges with space hub dairy call 04871878077 or online spacehubdairy.com for more details have you discovered the dunny goll boardwalk resort restaurant yet open every Wednesday to Sunday take leisurely strolls along the boardwalk and treat yourself to light bites hearty lunches or comforting dinners complete your stay in your cozy lodges explore more at dunnygoll boardwalk resort dot i a unwind down and savour the moment at dunny goll boardwalk resort carry guard now the banking and insurance defective block focus group was due to meet with um well i will outline that in a moment they were due to meet with representatives to discuss the issues obviously which are the focus of that group unfortunately that meeting has been postponed sarah is of the banking and insurance focus group and joins us on the program now good morning to you sarah hi good morning great how are you i'm good i'm good i didn't want to confuse it so i sort of delayed explaining what this meeting was about to allow you to do so it's perfectly clear so what was on the agenda for the meeting that was scheduled for today so today was a follow-up to the meeting that we had on the 11th of January and um maybe let me take you back a bit so we've been working on this for up to a year now at this point Greg we came together this time last year and we you know presented our issues regarding funding for remediating your homes or demolishing and rebuilding your homes and we met with TDs the BPFI who are the umbrella body that represent the banks at government level insurance Ireland Irish banking and culture board you know we're all of those meetings way back this time last year and we presented to the Iraq this in July in September there was a headline by now Blaney on on this show or at least this station I believe um where the banks announced that they would give zero percent loans for anyone approved on the scheme so that was very premature uh because that has not yet happened so the um you know the banks still are not in a position to have a product to give to somebody who wants to borrow so over time for us it became apparent that whilst money is is one barrier to the scheme ensuring the home is mortgageable and can achieve full market value as a bigger picture and that is we can change tactics mid-year yeah and that really really is critical isn't it and I think the the it's actually really critical to the scheme and those engaging in it or what level of uh what level of uh either destruction of the property and rebuilding it what it's rebuilt on it's really really critical isn't it that we know as soon as is possible if a house just has its how to leave uh done or if it doesn't have its foundations done is it mortgageable is it insurable is it seen as being full market value to another property and if that is not the case we can't be rebuilding hundreds and thousands of properties that aren't mortgageable aren't insurable can't be sold can't be exchanged and have no real uh don't have the full market value it's so crucial this this uh this clarification. Exactly Greg and the BPFI did put out a statement in December and it's an industry position statement that's very very clear and it says that um you know they cannot themselves determine what is mortgageable or what is not mortgageable they rely on the professional bodies to do that which means that an engineer would have to certify that the home is of standard construction or um you know is the same as as the house next door doesn't have defective material as I understand it so that that position was very clear from them and nobody you know the BPFI statement talked about if someone decides to sell the remediated home it's not it's not about selling your home it's about life and what happens in life so nobody knows what the future holds you know you might have a marriage breakdown or relationship breakup whereby a house needs then to be sold it's not that people are here trying to rebuild the house and you know get it as market value change and sell it on that is not what it's about many homes it's on it's our principal asset though uh you know there's any shame in wanting it to to be a full value the problem and the different that the reality is though sarin correct me if i've got the timeline is wrong between the last meeting or at least the meeting before that and this next meeting though the science is advanced in that you know there is increasing evidence that an actually fix might only defer the inevitable that the year in a leaf will start to go and maybe sometime after that the foundation might start to go so ask the question are we repairing these houses forever are we repairing them for 10 years are we repairing them for 20 years are we repairing from for 30 years and with that confusion in the air until such time as we know the full facts there i can't see really how the the banking and insurance sector can actually formulate a position that they'll stand by yeah so the science is all tied into this is 465 the standard and i'm no expert on that but i will just say that it is my understanding that that revised is 465 will not be ready until next year so although we have the science and we have lots of great reports from you know professor Paul Dunnup and those people who have published what what they're working on we don't have we haven't caught up the standard hasn't caught up to that so in the meantime the government are plowing ahead to remediate homes at an old standard which doesn't address many many of the issues that we we need addressed as you said we don't we don't know what we're restoring a home and somebody may be able to move back in the government are i believe my personal opinion is that they're pressing the banks and the engineers to accept the 40 year guarantee but let's just be clear the 40 year guarantee means that you can get back on the scheme it doesn't mean that your home won't have the same issue going forward they couldn't say that and and they're reluctant to say that and the science would tell them they should be reluctant to say that so you know banks i don't believe should accept a 40 year guarantee at the end of the day it's it's their asset right now and whether they like it or not they're tied into this process with us we've all been rammed down this one road by the government and you know maybe it's the fact that Daryl Brown is too proud to say stop okay maybe we did get it wrong and you know let's be the bigger person here and do that the only thing is here though sorry the only thing the banks are interested in though and this is not in any way scandalous because it's how lending institutions work is getting the money back out of the property or back out of the the uh the the person who's borrowed it with interest that's the that's the only thing they're interested in so if any guarantee sort of goes beyond the average term of a mortgage do you know you know what i mean but that doesn't fix the problem for the homeowner does that make sense but right now many of these homes would still many of these homes would still have a residual mortgage on them and Greg and you know the banks are very much tied in here and right now the bank has a mortgage that is secured on nothing and you know they should be putting capital aside for that and all of the banking regulations that go with that and our meeting in January really set the scene because for the first time ever we had the engineers we had the department of finance and department of housing with the BPFI and their members were present at that meeting on the 11th of January we had the insurance Ireland group there we had local councils with homeowner reps with mag it was the first time we had everyone around the table and that was you know a real we our group felt it was quite an awakening moment for some of the people around there so the department of finance are saying okay we've got a x billion scheme that has been spent and nobody knows that these properties are mortgageable at the end of it so how is that good use of the taxpayers money the next meeting that was meant to happen today Greg was to also include a legal representation so you know we feel we feel like we are making some traction here and if we can get everyone around the table people need to do the right thing there is no room here for people to be you know personal opinions or political pressure it needs to be stand up and do the right thing for the citizens of this country right and I don't want to confuse the situation Sarah but I mean it is part of this presumably and I'm not a banker but you know how are these properties significant amount of properties reflected in the assets column of these banks these you know these mortgage providers are they represented at a discounted value no value are they are they represented as full market value because I think that all ties into then sort of how they treat the homeowner in this whole process if that makes sense yeah wouldn't we all love to know the answer to that and to any of the good journalists out there I would say to them there's a story a week unless and somebody should really be running words that we find that I like that's that's that's the issue but I mean if I were a shareholder in a bank I would like to know and maybe the we are the shareholders yeah but I exactly but I would like to know you know how are these houses represented on their balance books is it full market value now so what was the reason given for this meeting not going ahead Sarah unpersoned unpersoned circumstance Greg so that could be anything we don't really know what it is but we do hope that they will reschedule shortly and get the right people around the table to keep pushing this on because people are in the middle of remediating their homes and you know it is of utmost importance that people go into this scheme with their eyes wide open other than comments from individuals do we know if this scheme references officially returning properties to a mortgageable condition is that contained within the legislation do we know off the top of our heads no from what from what I've read anyway I don't believe it does but somebody could correct me on that I think you can find the paragraph where it says it right Sarah so just to recap it was very much an afterthought Greg you know this game was put out and it's very much an afterthought of actually the homeowners are not the only people involved here the banks the terms and conditions of your mortgage say that you cannot have damage to your home you cannot do anything that creates an issue where by insurance may not be valid on a property and lo and behold here we are 10 years later thousands of homes are in that situation and the banks have pretended none of this has happened crime time reported in 2016 the central bank didn't do their consumer protection you know we met with the director of the consumer protection in september and the bank have done sorry central bank have done very little they were in the eructus last week and they said the issues have been sorted yet we wrote them in january and said that you know everything is still not sorted so how do you have any trust in the and the people who are meant to be minding all of this it's just shocking all right so sir is there I suppose maybe is there a positive note to finish on in that progress is being made and it's regrettable that this latest meeting has been deferred is is there a positive angle another focus group are working really really hard I've had some really you know I think getting people around a table in and of itself is a huge achievement so is there a bit of momentum here that stalled or is this more troublesome than that or what's your assessment of where the this particular focus group is at yeah I think when we look back on the year Greg we did have as many moments where we thought yes we've we've got something here and it can be something as simple as getting a meeting together because for the first time that we went to the central bank or any of these bodies that was like this is nothing to do with us we're not meeting you so even having those meetings over the course of the year definitely feels like progress and the zero percent loans that the BPFI said that they would you know help their members to launch is definitely progress that unfortunately has held up between a debate between the Department of Housing and the Department of Finance so I would ask all of our elected representatives to go and sort out that and at least that is something that we can give the people you know who can't afford to get on the scheme given the way it's it's laid up okay and but we do we do firstly we do need the engineers and the banks to make a statement on the marketability also made it at home so that is a utmost priority at this point can that decision be made before the science is revealed early next year though yeah I don't know I mean I know what I think the decision needs to be but I am not a professional and any of us though yeah yeah let's see let's see what they say yeah okay I mean I just feel that all roads lead to full demolition and replacing the replacing the foundations absolutely that's where we're going in my opinion it just feels okay listen thanks Sarah I appreciate your time and and just to be clear and I'm sure you are we do cover that story as a lot as as we were I mean we couldn't we couldn't do this show if we didn't right affect so many people but we don't also know everyone that it affects because there are people finding out all the time that those cracks that they thought were settling cracks were or is actually defective concrete people who are selling their properties in Donegal and they have to be tested and then find out they have defective concrete even though it never crossed their mind you know there is a period of time in home construction whereby you know don't be certain that your house is not affected by this is all I would say because especially if you think well my blocks didn't come from such and such a place there was blocks being moved around the place and sold from different places that originated in other places that's not a scare or fear anyone but why do we talk about it so much is because we actually really don't know the full scale of this yet and every day you know there's hundreds of people that are just sitting back not saying nothing just sitting back to see how this goes that probably aren't even counted as affected but they know they are in the heart of hearts and it doesn't take long for an engineer to come up and have a look and often as they drive the driveway to dash people's hopes and say I'm sorry but this looks like it's defective concrete right okay thanks Sarah we'll keep you updated on all of that of course watch the show live now on youtube facebook and at highlandradio.com the night till noon show is brought to you by letterkenny credit union offering low-rate car loans with fast approval apply online at letterkennycu.ie or in office today hello jedward speaking sorry edward speaking hey bro i'm glad you picked up who is this it's me john i'm literally outside in the landing i don't know any john lose my number hello edward don't hang up i'm sorry for saying a handyman could fix the gas boiler please forget always use a registered gas installer or you could risk everything find one at or gi.ie harkins have been providing customers with quality fireplaces stoves and electric fires for over 30 years and now you can experience the elegance of luxurious worktop from harkins their experienced craftsmen can fabricate marble quartz or granite worktops cure specification so if you're planning a new kitchen or bathroom or upgrading your existing walk harkin fireplaces can provide a quote for your quartz marble or granite worktop visit their showroom in belly wogan livered or call 911109 or visit them online at harkinfireplaces.ie make great photos into beautiful gifts at mcgee's 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will be on hand to demonstrate the latest innovations this is an exclusive opportunity to witness the future of hospitality in action mark your calendar for thursday 22nd of february from 10 a.m till 4 p.m and join us at the monterey glotel we'll see you there it emerged this week that the government is set to cut an allowance given to women with breast cancer cut it by half in fact women who underwent mastectomies had been entitled to two bras and one swing and prosthesis per year under their medical cars entitlements but we understand that's now to be cut to just one bra per year to the value of 60 euro lin's a former breast cancer patient and joins us on the program now lin good morning to you thanks for your time reg lin how are you i'm okay lin how are you keeping i'm very well but i'm shocked today another day you get up and another cocked for vulnerable cancer patients can you talk to our government can you talk to us about the importance of of of this and what was provided previously lin and then we'll we'll get on to your reaction to this decision i want uh please yes well after your mastectomy you'll have to go to the healing process so you get two wee small soft bras to come home with because you're all your scars and all have to heal before you get fitted for your bra that you'll be wearing all the time so you're going to get all that sold on private you get two bras a very nice lady and i'm just shocked like it shouldn't even be means tested we didn't know what we're going to get breast cancer so that should be part and parcel of your healing process yes so this should be seen as the the treatment as the the healing part of the whole thing rather than your something in addition that can be means tested or cut as we've heard that's right i don't think anything you need to survive after cancer should be means tested it should automatically come Greg right but now they're going to send you home with one bra that you well i'm just saying the value of 60 euro these are specialized bras they have to be fit in the right places they have to have pads a bit on the shoulders so your the prosthesis isn't pulling blisters onto your shoulders like you know it's just not throw you a brand send you home it's not like that the woman wants to feel good she's got three months healing to go and she wants to feel like a lady again or no she wants to feel good when she starts putting tighter clothes on um and i just feel that this is another shock to my system that the government's allowed to do this to vulnerable people do you know what what what's so difficult i think lin is that and listen i don't think anything should be a secret i think it's good that people understand what women have to go through uh and the challenges and what have you but it is another decision that affects women only um it is another decision that a lot of women affected by this might not be able to feel comfortable at talking about publicly i wonder sometimes when these decisions are made do they do they plan that in that that that we won't get brave people like you lin and others who actually will speak out and say this is what it's for this is why it's important and this is why it shouldn't be cut well it should i don't know who makes these decisions is it men and suits it's not got a mother or a sister or a daughter i mean we don't know who's going to be coming down the street tomorrow that's where in the same shoes that i went you know what i'm trying to say Greg or the ladies in this week getting i mean there are over 3,500 a year ladies have to have mastectomies they're diagnosed it isn't their fault and now there's going to throw them one bra a year just say you have four or five kids how are you going to afford a bra you'll give up your bra to take care of your family so why should it be the government's decision of course not to mention you know that people might be mentally and physically exhausted afterwards probably unable to work probably you know even if there were a tight resources to begin with cancer the cancer journey is very expensive um you know so at least people in a very vulnerable position you're very vulnerable yeah indeed and state you're very vulnerable Greg you go home there's no come back in six weeks like and then they're very very good ones you're in the system but now you mean you're going to go back and you're wondering i mean what so when you get the one bra is that phase 16 age 90 or 100 do you understand is it going to be one breath that's all i'm just saying who is up there making these decisions but it's time the people and the woman i don't go and all round down and go to their feet and we don't something about us we can't let government get away i mean a scabby bra like think about this but that bra means a one lot to the ladies who need that and again they're going to an off on their head you know the health budgets what 23 billion and this is tiny this is a tiny amount of women and again i have to come back to the fact that and i know i'm a fella but it just seems to always it and maybe it's not the case but it always i can't think of a similar decision that was made that would universally target men this is another well that's the only conclusion you can come to when you see that it's time and time again controversies in health seem to affect women you know almost well it is universally we would we would hope that this someone has made this decision and that's higher ups will say no we can't do this this has to be reversed lin and in fact actually more support should be given to women post surgery yes it has to be reversed greg it really has to the ladies should be getting more if they want a swimsuit they should get a swimsuit they shouldn't need a medical card to get a bra that they really really need right because i know after surgery you have bits hanging here and bits hanging there that wasn't there before scar tissue comes along and the bras that you can buy in the shop does not cover you know those bits so like you need the professional bras which you can't buy in any shop by the way they're specialist bras either have to order them online or go to um you know a more sophisticated shop that sells a lot of bras and they will fit you for it and order it for you if you can't get it through your breast care nurse yeah and it's not a luxury item and also it's not a luxury and presumably as part of the healing process it supports and secures where it might need to or whatever it might be it's a yeah it is this a medical element to this um mental medical and it's a necessity it's not something you know that's really a necessity to the healing process to get you right underwear under your clothes okay Lynn thanks so much for for speaking out can i just say this whatever government can i say this say what that government can i run a bath right and i'm really shocked that the government they should take away their grants for a launch for one day a year and that would pay for everything that the breast cancer patients need i'm really annoyed today i'm really in shock greg and thanks for having me on no thanks for accepting the call take care of yourself that's Lynn there a former breast cancer patient reacting to the news that um the allowance given to women with breast cancer has been halved women who underwent mastectomies had been entitled to two bras and a swimming prosthesis per year under the medical card entitlements and it should have perhaps been universally available to begin with but now it's just cut to one bra per year to the value of 60 euro and you heard from Lynn there these are not off the peg items these are specialist items they aren't a luxury they're in part of the healing process as women come through an incredibly stressful experience often tired often under results because people can't work maybe the partners had to take work off you know there's a myriad of reasons as to why this decision seems absolutely crazy okay next guest coming in studio after these the nine till noon show with letter kenny credit union simplify your debts with a debt consolidation loan from letter kenny credit union call us on zero seven four nine one zero two one two six reply online via our app or in office today the adams family is coming to a green and theater join gomez and morticia in the hilarious musical comedy that will raise the dead as well as your spirits you'll be in stitches with the show that puts family first the intoxicating spell of the graveyard letter kenny musical society's 23rd production the adams family on green and theater letter kenny march the 5th to saturday march the night in 1869 a dreadful new statistic was born in ireland the world's first road death since then thousands of our loved ones have been added to the list of people who have lost their lives on our roads that list of names does not have to keep growing because together we can bring an end to road deaths starting now make lifesaving changes today and you will help ireland achieve vision zero no road deaths are serious injuries by 2050 learn more at rsa.ie kelly's diner winners of best family dining at the highland radio hospitality awards is open right through the week with extended opening hours every weekend try the renowned breakfast or the tastiest burgers in town or something from the selection of healthy options all on a menu that's packed with all the most popular dishes first communion and confirmation catering is also available to book all at kelly's diner mountaintop letter kenny choose life choose fun choose not sitting at home getting bored choose something better something really fun choose funda mania coming to the brunswick movie bowl from march first choose regular junior or family wristbands and enjoy some of europe's top thrill rides choose fun for all ages a legendary funda mania event first to the 17th of march for details see funda mania.co.uk hi land radio weather updates brought to you by grant building a new home choose grants a triple plus rated air owner air to water heat pump and you flex underfloor heating visit grant.ie okay so the wet and windy weather clearing the region this morning brightening up from the west with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers temperatures today 9 to 12 degrees early on but it will get cooler as the as the day wears on with fresh to strong southwest winds easing later mary walker callahan is regional manager of life start services clg and is in studio with us good morning to mary good morning greg thanks so much for calling in right okay so life start services is leading out the parent hob donnie gall is that correct and talk to us a little bit about the hub no we are a member of the parent hub donnie gall and we led out on an initiative called the parenting platform i get you on behalf of the parent hub that's why i should read my notes okay and the aim of the parenting platform is to be sort of like a one-stop shop a one-stop destination to help parents and guardians and care givers in the tough task of raising children and raising them happy and healthy absolutely look we're always looking for ways to make information and tips and guidance more accessible to parents so when this initiative came up the parent hub decided to apply for funding and the funding has come through the hse and the children and young people services committees in slago litram cavern monahan and donnie gall so it was a way to collate all of the information so what we did was we carried out a survey for parents and they identified what kind of information they would like on the platform and that's who's guiding us with the information we're putting up yeah and i think having a reliable location to access it all is vital as well because you know you never know when you're raising children and as we know there's no handbook as such to it but you never know as problems arise and where do you go where do you find that resource this is a place whereby you would hope that most of the needs would be met in terms of information gathering absolutely greg as a parent myself and i've worked in this area for many many years you know when something happens with your own children it's hard to navigate your way through everything so what we're trying to do is is allow parents to access information easier all of the information that will be going on to the platform is from professionals both statutory and community so we have a lot of hse staff on there we have a lot of the services throughout the region donating talks and stuff so it's all evidence-based information and reliable for parents so talk to us about what kind of information is there well what we're hoping at the moment we've about 28 items on the platform so that could be anything from toilet training to speech and language to mental health and well-being to um oh i'm just trying to think of all the ones that are out there now but it's a whole range of the type of stuff you talked about the stuff that pops up on the parenting journey absolutely absolutely and what we want to do is cover from pre-birth right the way up to young adulthood so that we have something there for everybody that we have information there for mothers we've information there for fathers and information there for young people as well okay how do people access the platform well it's going to be shared out amongst all of the children young people services committee so the links will be up on all of our facebook pages um also we have put a qr code together so all practitioners in the region are going to have that qr code on just on their diaries so if they're with parents they can allow parents to access it and it's the idea that this is a platform that grows over time absolutely additional stuff is added to it even though we've been developing it for the past 12 months and i have to give credit to chris corn from digital creations who helped us develop the platform um our ideas we're just at the beginning this is about getting more and more information and what i would say to parents is that if they go on to youtube there is an option to make comments if we're missing information if there are gaps feed it back to us because that's what we want we wanted a two-way street so that they can they can direct us as well and what we're missing now all of us consume information in different ways i find if it's you know once it go i go past the third paragraph i will try right i'll study but i kind of zone out a little bit so you have to have different ways of delivering the information don't you absolutely so there'll be podcasts there'll be webinars there will be videos there'll be short videos there'll be longer videos so it's against people can can choose how they they want to access the information i know a lot of people like the idea of podcasts and you know you can stop and start it um and that suits them if they're out for a walk and they can listen to the information yeah exactly um and as you say you know you just give a few examples of the things that come up um and i i found myself as well with uh with a young one it's as you you go you can go go on to you uh onto the internet or whatever and find yourself down a rabbit hole because all roads lead to something really quite worrying or negative now i know this is not about health advice but it could be about you know uh it could be about well why is my uh two-year-old not saying mommy or daddy yet or uh why party training or yes you know what i'm on about yes absolutely where do you go sometimes actually you know and this is i'm not speaking about my own situation here sometimes that you kind of people be reluctant to ask someone close to them as well do you know what i mean because then that kind of not behold i think parents always think when they're dealing with a situation they always think they're the only one that is actually dealing with that where in fact every parent goes through these issues like one of the biggest issues we would see in life start is around sleep and children not sleeping you know and that is a big part of the platform denise gillespie who is a special practice nurse has uh done talks on sleep and she'll she will talk parents to how you get set up sleep routines and all of that routine is absolutely and the children love the routine absolutely they need it it does mean that sometimes you have to leave things or sometimes you have to kick people out of the house that's right but if you can for the most part stick to a rigid routine yeah it's astonishing because the child loves it absolutely the child loves it and home life becomes a lot easier when you have the right routines in place you know yeah and at the moment there's a lot of information there it is going to grow and you know even if you have a big blue sky meeting and you have a 50 people in a room say well what should we put up here it's possible sort of that you don't get everything and that's why you need that sort of input from parents and guardians don't you'd say well could you do something on this could you do something on that that's right and I suppose another thing that's very important about this like this this platform has been developed for for the region up the north here for the five counties but it's on youtube so it's accessible to parents whether they're in slayhead and kerry or their accol island and mail so the idea is that it's it's going to benefit parents all over the country if they want to access it and also to I find this information it's obviously going to be educational and informative but also reassuring absolutely you know reassuring it and giving parents tips for things that they can do themselves and you know Greg it doesn't matter who you are or what your background is when I became a parent for the first time my mother came from Kerry for six weeks I would have been lost without her so we know in today's world parents don't have that extended family they mightn't have that parent that can come and support them so how did that finish did she did you go right mom I've had enough help now can you sod off no she had my father wanted her back to Kerry she'd lend he'd lent her for London exactly exactly right okay so in a way there's not actually a website you can direct us to it's done through the qr qr code yeah and it's on it's on youtube so if you check the live start facebook page the link will be up any of the services that are working with children and families in the region will be sharing the information okay and I think even if you google the parenting platform because I tried that before I came in this morning it comes up straight away on youtube so okay right okay very good yeah parenting platform okay I'll do that have a look at that okay brilliant stuff well done to all involved and hopefully it does help I'm sure it will yeah that's the whole motivation of it isn't it mary walker kawa hand thank you so much for joining us that's lovely great thank you very much and you can depart as you see fit I do appreciate your time thank you very much indeed right to some of your comments here I call assess and the government tells us we're looking after women by removing them from the constitution so where are the women where's the care for women here this is off the back of the conversation we had with Lynn there and just to be absolutely clear because a few people were texting in yesterday about is women or woman or mother and I just want to make sure the nature of the sort of presentation here is people I might make a casual comment right but when it comes down to a referendum referendums it's very important obviously that I'm careful with that so I will be of course going further on mother I understand the term mother will no longer be in the constitution for my reading the term women the word women will so if someone texted in yesterday and I may have confused mother and women my apologies I call us says he's having continuous issues getting through to his local surgery either the phone is constantly engaged or if it does ring it rings out with no one answering says his mother has had the same issues when you call now doc they want to know why you didn't go to your own GP a caller says I applied online to the passport office on one day afternoon to renew my passport guess what arrived today Wednesday that must be a record we have had similar experiences like that and you know if it's a simple renewal it can turn around real quick but hey try and get a first time passport for a child and the experiences can be a little bit more difficult and it has to be robust as well of course uh physios were told on monday that they were to vacate st joseph's by friday the 23rd patients now will have to travel to donagall town or lyford patients who can't drive post operation etc in patients will not receive a service i want to hear from more people who this who may be learning of this decision for the first time and tell me how it might affect you i didn't realize physios were only told on monday that they had to be out by friday are they being relocated to provide the services in lyford and donagall town i wonder where the physio department is now at st joseph's it was the old droughard award which was subsequently fully renovated when they moved the patients to on grind on green your court a few years ago surely the building's fire rags haven't changed since then a total smoke screen to take away another service it's downgrading by stealth okay well we are going to try and get some clarity on that uh good reaction to the microsoft we had earlier on as it's being called a great job of the microsoft very catchy tune um rosemary says good more sorry good morning to you rosemary but jillian says well don stella uh uh pharen the redress song is uh brilliant uh arland and a not shell don't help people who live in a death trap sand castles but allow rtu folk to get away with everything give them a payment as a send-off um intentionally deceptive action designed to provide the perpetrator with an unlawful gain or to deny right to a victim there's nothing unlawful about the process even if we don't like it but i have to say that of course for legal reasons the 90 noon show is brought to you by letter kenny credit union digital loans now available apply online or via our app today and get your loan transferred directly to your current account right price tiles and wood flooring are 26 years old and to celebrate we're offering up to 70 percent off everything in store that's right a massive birthday sale with up to 70 percent off all tiles wood flooring and bathware everything's in stock right price tiles and wood flooring up to 70 percent off birthday sale now on keep out the cold cold cold and ring flaming for their full range of garage doors agri doors insulated doors milking parlor doors flaming 91 48 234 connect hearing is open for free hearing tests our audiologist is available monday to friday for wax removal services at our letter kenny clinic in the courtyards shopping center we also offer a home visit for those who aren't able to visit us our hearing is our social sense are you finding hearing more of a challenge call urshula today on 07491 13296 to make an appointment good hearing helps us to connect to our family friends and loved ones connect hearing connecting you to life paedial thread lifts and skin boosters which rejuvenate the skin by improving facial contours lifting and tightening the jaws neck cheeks and eyebrows are available at genesis aesthetics and skincare clinic you door to choose the right aesthetic treatment for you contact mary ferry your aesthetic practitioner also offering fat dissolving treatments dermal fillers and laser treatments for all skin conditions hair and makeup packages also available genesis aesthetics and skincare clinic you door 07495 32575 mic denver in concert with guests Declan Ernie and brandon shine at angrenon theater letter kenny on 30 february 29 tickets on sale at angrenon box office that's mic denver with Declan Ernie and brandon shine at angrenon theater letter kenny on 30 february 29 don't miss a great concert forward emphasis international are actively recruiting for customer service advisors with both in-office and hybrid opportunities available in our melon head ampunk rana locations fully funded insurance and financial services qualifications delivering attractive career path opportunities are available please visit their website www.forward emphasis dot ie and apply via their careers page with all the stories that matter across the northwest it's greg hughes on the night and noon show on highland radio okay it is 11 o'clock let's get a news update from donna mary daherty thanks greg good morning concerns have been raised in relation to the future provision of physiotherapy and occupational therapy in st joseph's community hospital ballet buffet on the back of a hickler report local councillor patrick mcguine says he's been trying to get in contact with the hsc in relation to the matter but to no avail he says he's disgusted with the delivery of the news and that communication must be improved between the hsc and the public and between the hsc and hickler a donnie gall woman who had breast cancer says she was shocked at the government's decision to see the cutting of an allowance for specialized bras for women recovering from a mastectomy the bras cost around 60 euro and previously women were entitled to two per year then mcdevitt says it's a blow to those who are already vulnerable that these are essential in the recovery process a woman's been charged with causing the death of a pregnant woman who's hit by a car near the donnie gall from an aborder 28-year-old valeria amorams died at the scene of the collision on the bow island road on monday night two other pedestrians were treated by paramedics the suspects due in court charged with a string of driving offenses there are fears that increased use of hotels for refugee accommodation will push up prices for tourists nationally 12 percent of registered tourism accommodation is being used for humanitarian reasons rising to 20 to 30 percent in some counties felcha ardent's latest survey shows the cost of accommodation is a concern for 45 percent of tourism businesses and the number is one concern of attraction and attribute operators the north's economy minister says invest northern ardent wants to change the way it does business and that will involve a lot more consultation at local level questioned in the assembly this week about the development agency's plan for the northwest minister connor murphy says what he envisages is a series of plans which are specific to individual areas based on local discussions and finally ps and i are investigating a hit and run road collision involving a police vehicle and a black landlover discovery last month it happened on the livered road on the 27th of january at approximately 12 45 a.m. ps and i are repeating for any witnesses with dashcam footage to come forward that's all for now from hide and read your news back again at 12 normally thank you very much indeed before you settle on a new hybrid take the nissan cash guy e-power challenge the nissan cash guy e-power is a hybrid so you don't have to plug in but unlike other hybrids it always drives in electric mode you get the superior smooth and quiet driving experience of an electric car all of the time take the nissan cash guy e-power challenge at your local nissan dealer today you'll never look back nissan innovation that excites okay some of our listeners getting involved in this conversation in relation to cuts in an allowance or however you might describe it for bras and other things for women post-operative cancer shivan joins us shivan good morning to you hi greg what's your reaction to this story shock but not surprised because a few years ago it was threatened before and it was pulled back i'd love to know there was cancer societies had ensured us because there's a complete section on the website about the importance of bras balance hygiene the whole thing simple fact bright if i said to you you have one pair of underwear live with it what are you going to do when you're washing it laundering it yeah they talk about an allowance it's not actually an allowance you go to the breast unit and they're getting a hospital and the kind ladies there measure assess whether it's increase and reduce or whatever it's done professionally the bras and then provide it there's no money involved it's like saying as far as i'm concerned it's like saying to somebody to say diabetic uh you need insulin but sorry one of them give you 50 percent that sounds dramatic but for some people's mental well-being that's what it is definitely i agree with them they wouldn't be doing it if it was a man i'd love to know the person who's come up with the idea name and shame ask them how they would love with it it is an important part of life not everyone goes for rebuilds i have been using the service for 22 years and i couldn't grace him enough i just think it's disgusting that they're always having it's either disabled people the vulnerable children people who who need care and can't be speaking for themselves on this case they think people are embarrassed because they wear propices and they're not going to fight back it's time for emails to td's yeah that's the that's the point i put to lin as well shaman i just wondered if they thought that you know because for some this is a difficult issue to talk about publicly if that it would just go under the radar but clearly not the women aren't going to allow that to happen that day is gone that day is gone no i i don't know i know somebody who made a reference there to our team that as far as the governments are concerned you can't have any government sitting there but a senior civil servants in each department that make the decisions all the ministers are our signators so as far as i'm concerned this is time for td's because this isn't just a donny goll issue this is a national issue that's a woman's the ladies of ireland are getting a kick again on one hand they're talking about the uh the new uh vote that's coming up about how they want to level the family on the other they're kicking at the mainstay in a household to the lady okay powerful stuff shawan thanks for your time i know you've other things on so i appreciate you sparing the time to speak with us and mary is with us as well mary good morning to you good morning greg yeah i i must i must the the beginning of the of the conversation there was only whenever you read it out then to say that there was there was been cuts now like i don't i don't follow the news big time but i must stop now but um i think i must start the first year to year and a half before i even knew that i was entitled to uh uh bras uh because of my breast cancer and it's michael haneis now that in balda fae and they are very very good but i have to get a letter from my doctor every year to go to michael haneis uh to get that but if that is half then that means that i have as that lady was saying one one underwear like so when i take it off to wash it then i'm not going to have another one because the first year or year and a half i was using the bra that the hospital had given me in gallway after my operation so it was washed and back on again and as i said to the lady on the line on the office there that when like when i have a drawer like i mean it's people probably laughing but i had a drawer full of every color and i just can't wear them because they hurt me where my my lumps was removed from so therefore i do have to go and get measured like it's not like i've been going to pennies and buy a bra like you know and that'll do me just doesn't work like that now anymore so for that to be cut now it's just as the lady before you said it's just it's a slap in the teeth to the women again like you know and put them down and when you're on with no go ahead no marry i want to hear what you have to say sorry go ahead i thought you were finished well it's just like you know it's hard it's hard whenever like you know if you're on a social welfare payment like i'm on a waddles page and like and it just doesn't you know you're trying to keep a house you're trying to keep a car you're you're like you're like i don't drink and i don't smoke so therefore like i mean yes my car my like my heat whatever um but it's just so hard like i mean when when the and the price of loving has gone up big time as well so like you know what what do you do where do you go like you know it's just well i suppose as the bills come out you go well what is the one thing that i'm not going to spend money on and it could be this item you know what i mean and and the HSE tried this in 2017 and i'm not sure if they may change this later in 2017 but they've been locking to cut this for a long long time uh you know and and i mean if i was a woman i would feel that okay here we go again i don't know that's a point that's come across during this conversation but it is the elephant in the room would this happen if this were something that affected men exclusive well you can't say yes or no but my strong suspicion is that it wouldn't happen because the majority of the people making these decisions are men yes exactly exactly i have said that for so long i've been involved in community and volunteering in grips in over 20 years and i swear to god how it just makes me so annoyed that it's it's always men that are behind these decisions and even for you know like for different things that would have been affecting women and the women's grips that we brought brought together cross-border and it's just it's just i don't know where it ends like we we actually even done a program before where like you know trying to get 50 50 percent women 50 percent men and in government and that and we've done a training on it but it's just not viable for women it's just not it just doesn't suit them at all like away from home especially if you're in Donegal or in your near mountain head or green castle like you're away way in the morning you're up back it's not like for no you're not back for a week clicking it just doesn't separate like i mean that it's men all the time making the decisions so but hey that's that's where we are and and you know what unless we stand up together and the other thing is i don't really totally understand that this vote that's happening but they actually turn around and to try and take women out of our constitution for for voting like i mean and now that like and i don't agree with that because it was women had to fight a big time away back in the early 1900s to actually be able to have a vote so like why why take that that word out of our constitution now okay listen mary thank you for your time i do appreciate it so uh if i'm looking at um if i'm looking at um information in relation to uh the entitlements people might have um i presume this is previously mastectomy this is from uh roaches um mastectomy bras by two breast prosthesis by one two for a bilateral surgery type swimming breast prosthesis by one two for bilateral bilateral surgery type mastectomy swimwear by one so it says ask your gp a medical professional to write see a prescription write your prescription for the products listed below now if i go to the irish if i go to cancer.ie i presume this up this is updated information then so you're entitled to 200 euro every year towards a prosthesis 400 if you had a double mastectomy and 60 euro every year towards your mastectomy bra so there is a huge cut there there's just no doubt about that there seems to have been a huge cut in relation to what uh people are um entitles of what women actually are entitled to okay uh we'll be uh moving on to wellness wednesday though of course we have been talking about wellness of a different sort but wellness wednesday is coming up for you after the break the county's number one talk show the nine till noon show on highland radio the nine till noon show is brought to you by letter kenny credit union with monster loans available up to 60 000 euro for all occasions visit letterkennycu.ie choose life choose fun choose not sitting at home getting bored choose something better something really fun choose fundomania coming to the brunswick movie bowl from march first choose regular junior or family wristbands and enjoy some of europe's top thrill rides choose fun for all ages a legendary fundomania event first to the 17th of march for details see fundomania.co.uk the way you eat a cream egg says everything about you if you eat yours by cracking it open like an egg that means you're a bit punchy you don't whisper in the cinema you've been known to cut your own fringe and you never get jet lag 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is a night not to be missed tickets on sale now why not treat yourself to one of our package dates including dinner bed and breakfast plus your ticket to the show for more information visit the outlet at highland radio dot com or give us a call on zero seven four nine one twenty five thousand we'll see you at the highland radio birthday bash right on today's wellness wednesday we discuss the beat goes on conference for young people with congenital heart disease and their families it's taking place this coming saturday the 24th of february shila cambell is ceo of heart children and shila joins us on the program now hi shila good morning greg how are you i am good um almost 19 000 people are estimated to be living with uh chd in arland five to six hundred of them children born here with the condition annually is there sort of different at different stages in life where this becomes a parent i.e. maybe it can be early on but i would know people sort of later in life in their teens or early 20s that something came up and it turns out it turns out that they had congenital heart disease is that how it works so can work yes it can work um it can be something that there's a delayed diagnosis on and it can be some problem that actually just raises head you know at a later point in life um but the majority of cases um are diagnosed now at the 20 week scan so 70 percent of all babies of the five and six hundred that you're talking about are diagnosed at the 20 week scan um which is phenomenal really it gives the parent a great deal of time to prepare to get over the shock you know um of of what's to come and it may be simple enough to fix or it could be you know a very serious problem for life um and it also allows the medical professionals to be ready when the baby is born and to be you know to make an assessment of what they need to do immediately and the majority will be sorry shila continue sorry i thought you were finished there there's a slight delay go ahead yeah no just just say that um you know the the rest of the children would be diagnosed um probably at birth or you know and then a smaller percentage would be the ones that you've mentioned that might be diagnosed later in life and and it can set the child of course and parents guardians on a path can't it learning that information um uh often more often than not early on uh but then at what stage does it become clear become clearer the treatment options or the treatment pathways that that are there for the child once born well the the first thing i guess is to say that congenital heart defects there's over 40 different types of congenital heart defect and all of them would have different ways of being treated surgically so um i think until the baby is born and so they can get a clear a clear picture um of of of the structure of the heart and and there probably won't necessarily know or you know in some cases they may know um because it it might be obvious on the 20 week scan um so at birth i suppose they'd be deciding what is the plan for the child um and i think depending on their you know their wellness or not um you know that surgical procedure intervention might happen quicker than you know and sometimes the baby can just be too small they need the baby to actually put on weight and to grow a little if the child in any way is born immaturally or is underweight at birth um so there's there's many factors that would be decided upon um when it comes to what the treatment is going to be but how often do we know might it require surgery i think in the majority of cases um it would it would definitely require intervention um and sometimes and in the majority of cases it will require surgery um you know they're the very you know so there are simpler forms of chd and that might be a hole in the heart many people will have heard of that um and in many of those cases it's it's a repair and those children may never look back they may be you know free from medical monitoring for the rest of their life as they grow older but for about 20 of all cases they have the complex forms of chd and they can be things that mean that that that you want to have half the heart operating and the heart can turn be turned backwards in the body it can be on the wrong side of the body so some of these things you know lead to much much more complication um and therefore much more complexity in treating them throughout life and those children will have repetitive surgeries um as they grow as the heart grows particularly if they have you know valves and things that need replacing as the heart grows they will need to be replaced as well and so that you know for some people that would go you know go on for quite a while and and some people with chd may have long periods of when they're well um but they do need medical monitoring because the likelihood is at some point you know that they will need to be assessed and there could be um surgery required at a later stage would it be fair to say that or accurate to say that we have seen great advances in this area in terms of diagnoses and treatments and and what have you uh over the last number of years absolutely um you know as i've mentioned about the scanning i mean that's a huge a huge step forward um in in in sort of medical advances and being able to know that there's going to be a child born with chd and for parents to know the diagnosis at that very early stage and even now some of the procedures that you know would have done and wouldn't have had as great outcomes and to more medical advances you know the the percentage and positive outcomes from them are much higher at this point in time um so like everything else you know with more technology and more ways of doing things and you know sometimes um it just makes it so much easier and there's so many more options um for for um the the medical professionals to offer to the parents um in terms of treatment for the child Karen Gillespie joins us as well Karen is from Boncran and his mom to Alfie who is uh five Karen thanks so much for joining us and and helping us to to raise awareness and highlight um this condition morning Craig are you i'm good uh tell us about uh Alfie and and and uh you know when he was diagnosed and and what happened after after that Alfie was premature he was born premature so um he was six weeks early so whenever he was in neonatal in it was actually it was 10 days old whenever they could hear the murmur um Alfie was actually scanned for the heart defect at the 20 weeks scanned but unfortunately it was must at that stage but then again you have to think about the size of the wee hearts at that stage it's the size of your thumbnail so um that's what she was saying only 70 percent is picked up at that stage but whenever Alfie was picked up um he was four point so he needed to put on weight before he could have any intervention so when he was six weeks then he did go to Cromman for his investigations and we were told they had a large hole in the heart and he also had a blockage in the aortic valve so he had that repaired in Cromman at that stage doesn't it for he was six weeks and I can only imagine what it must have been like um you know Alfie so little uh being born but also so little then to go for uh you know the exploration and then then surgery as well it's incredibly tough on on mums and dads yeah definitely is especially whenever your baby is born and whenever they're born premature and then to be told um that he has a heart defect as well it was quite daunting um but with myself I also have a chd as well and I had surgery so we kind of had it in the back of our minds were we expecting it were we not so that's why he was screened at the time and just with my family as well obviously they've gone through it with us so like we had the support back around there for us and we were kind of prepared and what to expect and the medical staff were great he was born at Macalvin because I was in dairy at the time whenever I went into labor and then he was transferred then to Cromman for surgery and he was then sent to the royal in Belfast for his recovery and then came back to out Macalvin then it wasn't long after that when he had a surgery you could see every single day they had the difference in him he was just like a new baby he just a new baby after his surgery it was definitely needed now it was just fantastic and in Alfie's case is this a one-time intervention Karen or will he maybe require further surgery into the future or is it a wait-and-see process or what's the situation with Alfie it is a wait-and-see process and he does get seen every six to twelve months and they always say never say never we don't know hopefully not but he will be just monitored and every six to twelve months now to see how he gets on here and is that the same with you Karen or with your congenital heart defect yeah so whenever I was born as well it wasn't picked up at birth it was whenever I was six months I was actually admitted into our local hospital for double pneumonia and broncholitis and it was then that they picked up the murmur as well so whenever I went to Cromden when I was a year for my investigations I was diagnosed with orthosis so I then had a balloon dilation when I was five and then when Alfie had his heart surgery in May 2018 I had my open heart surgery then in December 2018 so my surgery is to last eight to ten years so we'll see from that then when I'll require another procedure again yeah right okay so I mean obviously you can't get any closer a bond than that between a mother and a son but there's a there's an extra sort of closest there I think with you and Alfie Karen of course yeah and I do have another wee boy as well he was born there in December and he got his investigations done just before Christmas and his heart is 100% okay that's great it must have just been an emotional roller coaster for you I'm just thinking after the 20 week scan did you sort of hold it a little bit back saying well maybe they missed it with Alfie or were you on a high thinking right okay he's not a he's not affected and then obviously learned later on or it must have been you must have been all over the place well I suppose it depends on on our individual character but it sounds to me like you were up and down through that whole thing well yeah whenever we were in the 20 week scan obviously that that gave us hope but they do say when you're in there that there is a possibility that they could miss something because obviously the heart is so small it's the thumb size yeah you have to be pragmatic I suppose yeah oh of course yeah um and then whenever he was a neonatal and he was up and down we kinda knew that there might have been something there and then at 10 days old he did say whenever baby is born he can take 10 days to hear a heart murmur and it did take the 10 days and it was then that he was sent for his investigations then yeah okay so Shayna what um you know what do we it is about raising awareness it's important to do so so what what do you want to come from these awareness months is it that people look out for maybe signs and symptoms that they have an understanding that you know there are other people going through this you know every sort of awareness month or day or week or whatever it might be you know has a particular aim where do we need to be at in terms of understanding I suppose and acknowledging uh widely congenital heart defects I think it's the very basic that people just don't know what congenital heart disease is and that it's not anything that you've done it's not you know lifestyle related you are born with it then you will have it for life and so it's just an awareness of how serious the condition it can be and it is what we call a invisible disability or silent disability because you know you could look at somebody with chd and Karen's a beautiful looking woman you would never know that she had chd and required open heart surgery but with that you know the symptoms that probably go around it are like extreme fatigue and lack of concentration and so you know people with chd do have to mind themselves a lot more and and that is something that we you know maybe when we're at school or at work that people are you know aware of it and maybe just makes more concessions for for people who have chd and you know to understand the reason why they can't take part in sports and things like that because you know contact sports and when you have you know mechanical valves and stuff in your heart or issues with your heart when if you know if you're getting knocked or bounced around it's just not it's just not possible for you to take part in those sports but that said there are so many of those golf ten is all you're the ones that you can take part in and you know I think the best thing that people with chd probably can do is do as much as they possibly can like everybody else and just get on with their lives and but it's just to be aware of what it is that it's a major illness it's the number one at birth defect worldwide and that comes before cleft palate or dand syndrome and so every you know one in every 100 children born worldwide has a congenital heart defect so you know we talk about cancer childhood cancer but you know it is up there as being one of the very serious illnesses that affect children and and you know when some children can you know recover from cancer you know if you have serious complex chd you have it for life so it's a lifelong illness there is no cure it's you know it's repetitive surgeries to repair and patch and you know it's just to recognize that these people are living with something um that day-to-day they are coping with um even though they might be you know generally well it's incredibly serious but at the same time there's hope as well um it's it's striking that balance isn't it in in the understanding yeah um so the the conference is taking place on saturday uh in doblin between 10 a.m and 3 p.m um is i mean obviously maybe some people may be able to get down from the northwest is is there a is there a webinar element to it or is it all in person um no there's no webinar element because we do a lot of breakout sessions and one-on-one work with the young people and with the parents because we also want to try we're like we're we're we're going to we're trying to teach confidence and resilience in these young people because at age 16 they leave the protective bubble of crumblin and they move to the matter hospital and they're in with all the people with you know coronary heart disease as well so they move from a very protective environment where they will have known everybody and every appointment that have probably met the same people and now they're into a new space and now they're going without mom and dad most likely because um they now have to take control of their own medical future they need to know their condition they need to be able to take on board the advice and the terminology that the doctors will use um so they just need to be very self-activated and self-aware and know the symptoms that might mean that they're heading into dangerous zones um to make contact with the hospital that kind of thing so and with that becomes the whole mental impact of that do you know what I mean so we're we're we're plotting them with that teaching and also the parents and how to take a step back and let go and that's your child you know it's actually some people see a great advantage in coming together with their peers or peers in a similar situation to them as well Sheila Campbell CEO of Heart Children thank you so much for your time Karen Glesby from Bonkranagh best wishes to you and Alfie and all the family thank you so much for helping us uh to try and raise awareness it's greatly appreciated thank you bye bye Karen okay back with more shortly watch the show live now on youtube facebook and at 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come down sings joanne clifton as princess fiona alongside dreamworks iconic duo shrek and donkey this five star triumphant musical spectacular comes to millennium forum deri from the 60 to the 21st of april ticket selling fast book now at millennium forum dot co dot uk if you need advice on what's best for coughs or coals or what's best for sore throats or flu just ask at your local brennan's pharmacy if you need advice on the best vitamins and tonics to put a pep in your step just ask at your local brennan's pharmacy whether it's about back aches headaches or tummy aches your brennan's pharmacy team can help if you need advice from someone you trust we're here for you at your local brennan's pharmacy one crana plamani and creaslaw local enterprise week is back and 2024 is all about inspiring you to be brave when starting growing for scaling a business running from monday the fourth to friday the eighth of march local enterprise week is organized by local enterprise office donny gall in association with their enterprise partners during the week over 20 events are taking place across donny gall booking is essential to see the lineup of events and speakers and to book visit local enterprise dot ie forward slash donny gall or call 911 60735 i wanted to say thank you by the way uh yesterday was uh national love your pet day or international love your pet day it was an excuse to see your pets and we got some lovely pictures of dogs and cats cocks and pheasants uh and we put a selection of them what we had a huge reaction by the way of all your beautiful animals and we got a selection of them up on our social media up on facebook highland hub so if you like looking at other people's animals uh get in and have a look uh so it's quite nice lovely to see them right some comments here uh business matters is on the way by the way our daughter was born with a heart condition we were not aware until after birth airlifted by the air core open heart surgery at six days and again at 18 months the team in crublin are top-class teenager now and doing well okay big shock but uh great to hear things are working out well um just in relation to the changes um that are being made to women's entitlement post post breast surgery uh here to four mastectomy bra by two breast prosthesis by one two for a double surgery swimming breast prosthesis uh by two mastectomy swimwear by one now 200 euro every year towards a prosthesis 400 if it's a double mastectomy 60 quid every year towards uh mastectomy bras it's a big cut they've been looking to cut this area since 2017 and there was a ferrora in 2017 they delayed the decisions then to later in 2017 made some changes this has been like everything like we're children you know like we're mushrooms like the st. joseph situation treating us like idiots you know we're going to have to get to a point where the public's treated with respect in terms of decisions that are being made that have the balls to announce a decision say from this date this is what's happening why do the public have to discover what's happening then kick up a sting and then hope to get it reversed one way or other you know it's it's like the sc t changes why wasn't there a public consultation for a year with parents with teachers you know this is in relation to the allocation of uh special education teachers hours like why are we treated like kids i mean you watch it you know what in this day and age you wouldn't treat them like kids you can't treat them like kids we can't treat our kids in donningall like kids for instance like the defective crisis we had a concrete crisis we discussed earlier we can't treat our kids like kids anymore because they have to live this life uh and we have to explain it to them because it's every everywhere so we actually don't treat our children like i'm asking the powers that be be it civil service be it government whatever please treat us like grown-ups have a consultation if you have to put something across the line after a consultation just do it have the neck to do it but let's talk about this why should every woman in the country potentially be affected by this a decision that no one had the testicular fortitude to speak about publicly it had to be found out after the fact the same with the sc t's the same with st joseph's on and on and on a caller says it's not just bras for women it's incontinent pads for beds getting nappies for people who are being cared for at home also went we now have to buy them it's a drip feed of the removal of services where does it end again that's another area and i'll be a big issue a big issue for incontinence pads on nappies is the disposal as well especially with pay by weight uh that's been introduced i have i have spoken to people where they're getting a huge financial hit in relation to that now they're not getting them for free either again it seems like it's done by stealth right okay let's take a breather let the blood pressure drop time for this business matters in association with the faculty of business at atu dunny gall for a career in financial governance consider the level nine ma in governance and it in financial services call nine one eight six two zero six or email donald dot hanigan at atu dot ie today okay so that means it's time for business matters this wednesday morning and we say a very good morning to chris ashmore chris thanks so much for calling in hi gregg right before we get to what's coming up on uh this week's podcast let's get to a little bit of news and uh refer native garret heart in the headlines yes he's been named as the new chairman of the dunny gall dublin business network he's well known in media circles a former editor-in-chief of news talk radio station and founder of heart media which is a communications and public affairs consultancy so uh he succeeds paul dole in the post paul from letter kenny had been chairman since the inception of this group some seven years ago and by the way they have just announced that they're holding an event to coincide with international women's day that's going to take place in the chop house restaurant in dublin on march the sixth and the gathering will be hosted by a news talk presenter and valley shannon woman andrea gilligan now we heard on the news but well worth recapping um because there is money out there available for refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties it can be a hard enough old area to navigate but the council are going to help out there i think yes now uh this is attracting quite a bit of interest grants of up to 84 000 euro are available to refurbish vacant and derelict properties that have been vacant for two years or more now subject to certain conditions there's also a repair and lease scheme a support of up to 80 000 euro per unit and then there's also some support may be available if you need a conservation expert to provide you advice on even refurbishing a vacant traditional farmhouse now don't you call county council they're holding a series of meetings greg all over the county the first of them will be on monday february the 26th uh that will be at the public services center in millford there'll also be meetings in rafau valley shannon uh remelton letter kenny convoy newton cullingham movill our drag with or balba fey and sternorlar so have a look at the council website or contact the council because we all know there's a lot of vacant property in the county and look not everybody's going to be eligible or to have the little bit of capital you'll need to to co-fund but uh certainly worth looking into and of course those details are on our website as well local enterprise week just around the corner yes big big week coming events will take place from monday to friday march the fourth to the eighth that's local enterprise week 2024 an extensive range of events you can book your place on the local enterprise dot i e website or else go to the leo facebook page lots coming so worth checking out news of an upcoming webinar to chris yeah there's a free webinar about gaining insights into business intelligence uh it's been hosted with the sligo based data to sustain digital innovation hub in collaboration with the atlantic technology university and amongst the speakers will be oan foley a lecturer in systems analysis at atu and phylum uh murnian and information systems lecturer at atu so they'll be sharing uh their insights to help people uh understand this whole area and great micah sinker like chris because i took quite a bit of interest in the changes to the consumer price index because it kind of holds a mirror up to us to some extent as well doesn't it yeah the consumer price index they have this basket of goods there's over 600 goods that they used to calculate how they're going to get the consumer price index so things come in and out so digital cameras are gone nightclubs are gone uh the swiss roll which many people would see in the cupboard at home that's gone so this happens this happens over over a period of time and uh you know it just reflects the way society is changing and in things like airfriars and airfriars yeah so it's it's whatever is invoked there's usually a time lag with maybe a couple of years as as things before become more common um but another thing out is that the landline telephone landline needs to be part of it okay right let's talk about what's coming up on this week's podcast yeah looking at the whole area of apprenticeships now there's a lot of changes here over the last few years and we're going to see a lot more in the years to come when you talk about apprenticeships what springs to mind for most people are the traditional trades and crafts plumbing electrical etc but now we have a situation where there are a lot more apprenticeships on offer ranging from financial services to engineering farming to hospitality even biopharma retail and some of these courses they're tied in with the whole fee tech and the education system and you can go up to level 10 which even up to a master so big changes there so I've been speaking with Vinnie McGrory apprenticeship manager with Donegal ETB and Lorraine Murray the senior apprenticeship training advisor who've been explaining all the changes and just what is available in its simplest terms an apprenticeship is a structured education and training program which combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in the training and education center it's in the simplest term so something like an electrical apprenticeship which most people know would be a combination of working with your employer coming into a training center like an ETB training center learning the theory and the practical going back out to your employer and then alternating between your employer and either an ETB or a TU to do the theory side of things and at the end of that apprenticeship you have the capacity the skills the knowledge to work autonomously in your chosen trade so that you can set up your own or you can work with the company but after the four years you have completed you are a qualified crafts person in that craft okay Chris interesting we're going to hear the full interviews on the podcast and it's something personally over the last couple of years the move towards apprenticeship and the valuation of them and given them almost equal standing to other pathways to progression in life I think it's been a fantastic thing one thing always annoyed me when people talk about skilled labour you know and it was as if all linked to do with education but without a lot of the apprenticeships you talk of maybe the more traditional ones the building welding and all that kind of stuff you know incredibly incredibly highly skilled stuff you know we'd have nothing really nowhere to live the housing crisis would be much worse than it is so really good to see the in fairness to the government and Simon Harris the focus on encouraging and promoting apprenticeships so the full interview available on our website right now highlandradio.com for you to stream from there or download also available on Spotify or iTunes and broadcast live on the radio to Chris yes on Sunday after the six o'clock news and if you want to contact me it's businessmattersathighlandradio.com Chris Ashmore thank you very much for calling into us and we'll be back with Chris next week of course we'll be back with more on this show after we take this quick break the 9 till noon show is brought to you by letterkenny credit union offering low-rate car loans with fast approval apply online at letterkennycu.ie or in office today looking for that hoca experience try the new range at bmcsports.ie new a rahi seven clifton nine or the ever soft bond i8 step into our safe size experience so you can fit the best trainer for your foot let us make your trainer experience the best it can be brian McCormick sports main street latter candy do you need a uk address save hundreds of euros on custom charges shopping online with spacehop dairy we provide a full virtual address mailbox service for all your business and personal use save hundreds possibly thousands on custom charges with spacehop dairy call 04871878077 or online spacehopdairy.com for more details 18 hours that's how long ohara's takes to craft the distinctive flavor and texture of our 18 hour fermented sourdough bread you see at ohara's a fox word we've been baking bread since 1951 so we know you can't hurry perfection one bite and you'll agree that true taste takes time choosing the perfect gift is not easy you wanted to show how much you care and how much you value others so what if you could give a gift that could fix a broken heart even save a life when you leave a gift in your will to the Irish Heart Foundation you do just that please call 01 668 5001 or visit irishheart.ie so no hearts are broken by preventable heart disease and stroke or by your dean and and The weather update is brought to you by Grant. Building a new home, choose Grant's a triple-plus rated air-ona air-to-water heat pump and you flex under floor heating. Visit grant.ie Oh Kido, so brightening up from the west with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, top temperatures 9 to 12 degrees but it's going to be warmer and windy later, colder and calmer. We're joined in studio now by Camille Satinskatey. We're going to talk about the rental crisis in Donegola. It can be framed as such, can't it Camille? Yes, absolutely. So, personally now I moved up here to Letterkenny in 2018. Now, of course I lived in student accommodation starting off but even at that point you could notice that you know the rent wasn't too bad. So it was student accommodation 400 euro a month each per person, four bedrooms that's 1600. For a four bedroom house that's still not bad. Decent return isn't it though? Absolutely, very decent. After my student accommodation I had then actually moved into a house with just one other friend and we were paying 640 euro for a three bedroom house, double story, backyard and front garden, spare bedroom, kitchen, living room. Now in 2024 I am living in a converted shed for 700 euro a month so it has a communal kitchen and living room, the one bedroom and then the one bathroom. So going from a house for 640 to you know basically a granny flat. You're living in a room with access to a toilet and shared kitchen. Yeah, basically. That's it and it's 700 quid a month. Yeah, exactly. You're probably in a way ironically feel lucky to have got that because there probably aren't 15 of these types of accommodation available in Letterkenny if you know what I'm wearing coming from. Oh absolutely, my choice is for when I was looking for a house and last July was either a two bedroom apartment for 1250 a month or this for the 700 because anything other anything else that was there was mica, there was rotting, there was mold, there was everything you know so you are very limited on your housing choices. As a 24 year old you stated that you can no longer afford to live in the Republic of Ireland. I mean that's stark isn't it? It is dark but it's the truth. It's also where do you where do you say a foot up the ladder what's next you know what I mean what do if they come to you and say by the way we are moving our granny into this converted garage you know where do you go next? Is your future constantly sharing with other people? Is it every penny earned just going into put the roof over your head you know like what are the options for people? Absolutely. So personally for myself I find that if that was the case and they decided well we're moving our granny back in here I would either have to move home or leave the country because even now I'm living paycheck to paycheck just to be able to afford to put a roof over my own head which isn't the way a 24 year old wants to live it's not the way anybody wants to live. Do you see any pathway at the moment to home ownership or is that just not even on the radar? That's not even on the radar. I mean you'd love to but perhaps but do you see any scenario where that could happen? Not in the next 20 to 30 years and you know I don't want to be 50 years of age and only buying my house then. And you're making a choice really in that your family is here you want to be in reasonable have reasonable access to your family if that weren't the case I don't think you'd be here. If my family wasn't here I would have been gone as soon as I had realised all the rent inflation so by this time last year I would have already left the country just like so many of my friends who have went to the Netherlands Germany America Canada Australia New Zealand because it's more affordable. And there's no real sign in sight of things improving because if you look at in terms of the delivery of property but also the demand that will be on it in terms of alternative accommodation for those affected by defective affected by defective concrete and increasing people moving here to live and work which is fine you know with remote working and all that type of stuff but the point is if you look at five years ahead ten years ahead it's hard to see a situation whereby the rent crisis eases here. Absolutely from what I have noticed you know going from even my own family's experience from when my sister first my older sister moved out was renting her own properties to now 10 years later you know the increase is absolutely astonishing and 17.7% is the average rent increase in Ireland it's 39.9 in Donegal. And if you want exactly if you look at the gap between in situ renters and new renters it's huge. Oh it's massive. I think it's the second biggest if not the biggest gap. Oh it's massive. And that just in the most plain way points to the issue here and then of course it's about availability and it is the landlord's market because there's more people that need property than there is property available and it's very easy then to see why mums and dads or whatever the combination might be have 30 year olds 40 year olds still living at home. Absolutely. Because we also have the lowest disposable income and a lot of people are on minimum wage here. Absolutely and you know of course minimum wage has gone up now in January in 2024 but so has the rent. Yeah but if you're 18 an adult yeah it's 1040 you know. Yeah 1040. I mean I don't think that we should have a tick or take parade for either like why should an 18 year old get 1040 if they say right I'm an adult now I want to try and get out my own two feet it's not it's not an option. No it isn't an option and I feel that you know just us ordinary people were not being taken seriously with all of this. There is a demand for houses but there is no supply in Donegal. I'm not sure how well rent pressure zones have worked down the country but at least there's something there that's trying to keep a cap on things there's no such thing here which would you be forgiven for thinking well there mustn't be a rental crisis in Donegal but we know that simply not the case. No unfortunately I feel that the rental crisis is much higher in County Donegal and as sad as it is because I do love this county I do feel that I am going to have to leave because I can't afford it who can nowadays. You're other halves in Northern Ireland is that right? Yes absolutely. What's the story up there like if you drive through Northern Ireland you see houses being built left right and centre I noticed I did actually notice I was driving to a camera where I was going cabin or something and it seemed every five minutes there was houses being built. Now that's just purely my observation anecdotal but what's he saying? He feels that Ireland is very overpriced in rent and house buying he himself was looking you know at moving over here buying a house he couldn't afford it. From the north of the Republic. Yes from the north of the Republic whereas now he bought his own house there six months ago no problem at all in the north he can afford it he wasn't stuck nothing so you know and he's in and around my age so going from him having a house to me living paycheck to paycheck to put a roof over my head. And just to go you know sort of back to the beginning this is your personal story this is your personal journey but the top point that you've been making or want to make is that there's a whole generation that's similar to you in the similar in the similar book that are having to make life decisions it's because even at 22 23 24 it's where will I be in you know uh how will I get my independence how can I do and often now the grass isn't always greener on the other side a lot of people go to Australia and the house prices over there are through the roof and it's a tough old life you know for a lot of people but anyway uh without being said there are options people moving within Europe or over to Northern Ireland whatever it might be you feel they're going to lose a generation if we don't do something. Personally I do feel like we are going to lose the generation from from 18 to 28 if not the whole way up to 30 or even higher you know I have had many friends even since say November just passed I've had seven friends move out of this country because they could no longer afford it all right okay it's interesting it's interesting points very strongly made and it's backed up by reality it's backed up by figures from you know five or six years ago where we're at now what's available now you know what I mean this is not anecdotal it's there for all to say all right let's try and get some reaction to what you've had to say we really do appreciate you calling up great to see you sorry for keeping you waiting but it was worth it thank you so very much that is uh Camille it is Camille or Camilla Camilla okay you're so polite for not correcting me should have here's me trying to get satin skatey right perfect first name out the window all right thanks so much for calling up I do appreciate it have a wonderful day everyone we'll be back here