Milk Promotional Campaign To Be Rolled Out From April

A new nationwide campaign to promote the nutritional benefits and consumption of dairy produce milk will be rolled out from this April, Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen has announced.

Minister of State Killeen said the ‘Milk in Action’ programme, which is co-ordinated by the National Dairy Council (NDC), aims through linkage with sport to increase milk consumption by young people in particular.

He continued: “The programme will also inform women of the nutritional benefits of milk and milk products, in particular cheese and yoghurt, in the battle against osteoporosis. This initiative is especially timely as studies show that 43 per cent of Irish teenage girls and 23 per cent of Irish teenage boys do not have enough calcium in-take in their diet and that 23% of Irish women do not have sufficient calcium intake in their diets.”

The campaign is being implemented under EU Council Regulation 501/2008 on funding promotion and information programmes for agricultural products in the European Union.

Minister of State Killeen confirmed that the EU will shortly agree to co-fund the programme. Funding from Irish industry at 30 per cent or 145,000 euro a year approximately was a prerequisite to EU co-financing and the Department will contribute up to 20 per cent or 100,000 euro a year. “I wish to compliment the National Dairy Council which has drafted the proposal in co-operation with partners in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, and which will be responsible for overall management of the project”, concluded the Minister of State.

Wintry Weather Tightens Grip On Midwest

Motorists throughout Clare and the wider Mid West region are being urged to drive with extreme caution during the current spell of wintry weather.

Heavy snowfall across many parts of the County is expected to lead to extremely difficult driving conditions while the return to sub zero temperatures at night will remain in place until the early days of next week at least.

Clare County Council said that seven road gritting crews have been covering 580 kms of road network during the Christmas period. Treated roads include all national, primary and secondary routes, as well as heavily trafficked regional roads. The Council said it hoped to replenish salt supplies later this evening.

According to Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy: “I wish to compliment the outdoor staff of Clare County Council for working throughout the Christmas period in often extremely difficult circumstances to ensure that as many roads as possible were salted and gritted. Motorists should keep to gritted routes where possible.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor has called on neighbours, family and friends of older people to ensure that the elderly, particularly those living alone, are kept warm and have sufficient food during the current period of cold weather.

Mayor Mulcahy noted that fuel poverty affected more than seven per cent of all pensioner households, and older people were sometimes reluctant to use up their electricity and fuel allowances. “Therefore, it is important that people across the County do their bit to assist elderly neighbours and family members”, he added.

Mayor Mulcahy continued, “According to figures from Age Action Ireland some 1,500 to 2,000 more people die in the winter months compared to the rest of the year, due largely to poor housing standards. The percentage of excess deaths in Ireland is 19 per cent, but it is ten per cent in Finland. These figures highlight the importance of checking on elderly relatives and neighbours to make sure that they are warm, have enough food and adequate heating.”

He added: “Older people, particularly those living in isolated areas, are more vulnerable during colder spells of weather. There are a number of simple measures that can be taken by the general public in order to reduce the risk to old people during cold and inclement weather”.

The Mayor explained, “Those who are elderly and living alone should be checked on by neighbours, morning and evening. A special check should be made on those elderly or disadvantaged who are housebound. Practical help can be given by bringing in solid fuel, ensuring the water supply is sufficient and checking that there is sufficient food in the house, including non-perishable foods. Where neighbours are concerned or worried they should contact the appropriate emergency services including the health services.”

Councillor Mulcahy referred members of the public to Age Action Ireland’s website ageaction.ie, which he said featured practical tips and advice.

Mayor Donates Christmas Card Allowance To Charity

The Mayor of Clare has donated his 1,000 euro Mayoral Christmas Card allowance to two local voluntary groups that provide services to children and adults with intellectual / physical disabilities.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy this week presented 500 euro cheques to both Clare Crusaders and the Shannon Flyers Special Olympics Club. The Mayor said: “We are fortunate enough in County Clare to have a number of services that offer supports to children and adults with intellectual / physical disabilities. These organisations require funds to continue operating which is why I am delighted to contribute my Christmas Card allowance to their respective fundraising efforts.”

Commenting on the work of Clare Crusaders, Mayor Mulcahy stated: “I am happy to pledge my support to Clare Crusaders which helps parents and families of children with special needs achieve a better quality of life. This wonderful organisation provides a variety of services to over 120 children with special needs in the areas of Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down syndrome and a variety of other conditions. I wish to compliment the organisation, which is headed by Ann Norton, for fundraising in excess of 230,000 euro from voluntary contributions each year to sustain these vital services.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor paid tribute to the work carried out by the Shannon Flyers Special Olympics Club and its volunteers. He continued: “Volunteerism is an integral part of the Special Olympics ethos. The movement at local, national and international level would not exist today — and could not have been created — without the time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm of its many volunteers.”

Mayor Mulcahy added: “As someone with a lengthy involvement with Special Olympics organisations, I am very aware that Shannon Flyers Special Olympics Club is much more than just a sporting organisation. It is about the empowerment of individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.”

The Mayor said his contribution of 500 euro to the organisation would help the Club in its preparations for the 2010 Irish Special Olympics being held at the University of Limerick next June. Five athletes from the Shannon club are participating in a range of events.

The 2010 Games are expected to bring an estimated 1,900 Special Olympics athletes from all 32 Irish counties to UL. They will be supported by 650 coaches and official delegates and cheered on by some 5,000 family members and friends.