New Radio Centre

Tune in on Sunday mornings at 11.00am to West Limerick 102FM for the new programme, Your Business, which features local business people and current business news. Any business people interested in taking part in this programme from Dromcollogher to Athea, Abbeyfeale, from Glin to Askeaton, Adare, Rathkeale etc. please contact Pat O’Donovan at 069-62713 or 087-9977340. The programme is presented by Pat O’Donovan and produced by Mary Lee. It goes out each Sunday morning from 11am to 11.30am.

Study due on Zero-hour Contracts

The Minister of State for Business and Employment, Gerald Nash, has said that if the law needs to be changed to protect low-paid workers or zero-hour contracts he will not shirk from doing so. Zero-hour contracts are prevalent in a number of sectors including catering, hospitality, teaching and the health sector, in both the public and private sectors. Under such contracts, workers have to be available to work at the discretion of the employer but have no guarantee of a fixed number of hours each week. Unions argue that this means that they experience huge uncertainty regarding both a regular income and planning family life. The Minister announced the Government is tendering for a study into the prevalence of zero-hour contracts in Ireland.

He expects the tender to be completed within four weeks and the final study should be finished by the end of March 2015. The group carrying out the study would be expected to consult with all the stakeholders including employees and employers. Mr. Nash said “work should always pay” and the study should examine how precarious work interacts with social welfare.

Troika Officials Back In Dublin

Troika officials began their second post-bailout mission to Ireland, to monitor the country’s progress after the financial crisis, this week. Top of the agenda for the representatives of the IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank no doubt will be the repayment of bailout loans. The Troika officials will meet teams from the Central Bank, Department of Finance, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the NTMA and NAMA. There will be no meetings with Government Ministers.

Valley View Emporium and Equine Retirement Centre

From Sunday 23rd November Kathleen Barrett, Knocknagorna, Athea will have a Christmas stock and Garden Centre sale. Great bargains to be had for all including jewellery, bags, Christmas ornaments etc. which would make ideal Christmas gifts. Also Christmas arrangements and wreaths made to order before Christmas. Deliveries made within a 5 mile radius. For further information contact Kathleen at 087-2361712.

Teens risk burn-out by playing too many Sports

The country’s young sports people are suffering serious burn-out due to over training and playing for too many teams across too many sports according to an investigation recently. Leading clinicians, sports scientists and coaches from a variety of disciplines are saying young people are pushing themselves over the top in training and they are warning that they are taking part in rigorous training regimes with what their bodies can handle. According to Mr. Mogna, a professor in Dublin City University School of Health and Human Performance said they “are seeing injuries in young people that were unthinkable 20 years ago”. He also said over-reaching is the first stage and means the combined workload doesn’t allow for adequate recovery. The problem is the next phase is overtraining, where you’re consistently over-reaching and don’t get appropriate recovery. At that point, you are looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

West Scór na nÓg Finals

The West Scór na nÓg finals will be held at the new Community Hall, Castlemahon on Friday, November 21st at 8pm.

Schools Competition

Business studies students across Limerick are being encouraged to enter a unique competition entitled “Limerick Business Thru the Ages” organised by Limerick Chamber and sponsored by Dell. The competition asks students to research a business or entrepreneur from a period of time over the last 200 years. It has been designed to encourage awareness amongst students of the changing business landscape in Limerick over the last 200 years and how businesses need to adapt and evolve. Schools must register their interest in the competition and submit a proposal before December 12th.

Farm Waste

Limerick farmers are being encouraged by the local authority to avail of an upcoming opportunity to dispose of their hazardous wastes. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will operate a disposal centre in Abbeyfeale later this month. Waste items ranging from out-of-date pesticides to waste electronic and electrical equipment, waste engine oil and contaminated packaging can be deposited at Abbeyfeale Mart on Tuesday, November 25th from 9.30am to 3.30pm. For further information visit www.epa.ie or Lo Call 1890335599.