Today is 65 Roses Day, which is the National Fundraising Day for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

On Friday's Morning Focus, Peter O'Connell was joined by Deborah Kett from Crusheen, Deborah is a mother to 21 year old Hannah who is living with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland hope to raise €300,000. Deborah will be at Dunnes Stores in Ennis today as part of the fundraising drive.

A newly adopted strategy will aim to guide and enhance Clare's socio-economic development for the next six years. The local and economic community plan for 2024 to 2030 has set out six high level goals for this county across the fields of healthcare, housing, transport, tourism, education, business and agriculture. The plan is underpinned by an evidence based approach that will aim to put Clare's best interests at the forefront of future local and national policy decisions. Clare County Council Rural and Community Development Administrative Officer Brendan Boyce is confident the plan will bring far-reaching benefits.

The Government has expressed its intention to proceed with the delivery of a primary care centre in Ennistymon in the coming months. Although four primary care centres were promised for Clare in 2021, the Station Road facility in Ennis is the only which has come to fruition so far. There are currently 13 primary care centres across the Midwest and the Government has recently conducted a review of the delivery model for such facilities. Addressing Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway in the Seanad, Minister of State Joe O'Brien says submissions for the Ennistymon facility will be sought between now and June after which point the project will move to the next stage.

Confidence has been expressed that emergency funding will be secured for Clare roads in need of urgent remedial works. It follows a meeting held between a Clare County Council delegation and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan during his visit to Ennis yesterday. The Department of Transport recommends that 10% of each county's road network is strengthened and resurfaced on an annual basis, though it's understood this target has been regularly missed in Clare due to a lack of resources. Mayor of Clare and Bodyke Fine Gael Councillor Joe Cooney believes the Minister fully understands the gravity of the situation.

Rhob Cunningham is coming to Clare. The Dublin musician, who has ten independently released albums to his name, will be performing at The Attic, Hotel Doolin Friday, 12th April.

To find out more about the concert, Alan Morrissey was joined by Rhob on Thursday's Morning Focus.

A two-time former Mayor of Ennis will be stepping down after a decade of public service at the end of this council term.

Barefield Independent Councillor Ann Norton has announced she will not be seeking re-election having served on the council since 2014.

Cllr Norton is also the manager of the Clare Crusaders Clinic which provides therapy and specialist treatment to over 450 children with special needs in the county, but is now in need of urgent funds to keep its door opens.

She says while she is immenseley proud of the progress made for the disability community while on the council, there are other priorities to focus on for now.

It's feared the Ennis Post Office Field development will have a detrimental effect on the site and its environs.

Fresh concerns are being raised about developing on the prominent floodplain as public consultation dates have been announced for the proposed works.

Located behind Bank Place and across the river from the Parnell Street Car Park, the Post Office Field has been synonymous with controversy and conflict for over twenty-five years.

Following public pressure surrounding an attempted €14 million commercial development, the former Ennis Town Council purchased the 2.5 acre site in 1998.

Since this time however, a number of proposals have been put forward for the site, including a home for the new public library, a dance centre and an underground car park.

The site is unique in that is a floodplain and a nesting area for waterfowl located in the heart of an urban centre.

Fast forward to today, plans are afoot for a development on the site consisting of an elevated boardwalk designed around river biodiversity, habitat and wildlife, as part of the Ennis 2040 Economic and Spatial Strategy.

Labour Local Election Candidate for the Ennis Electoral Area, Seamus Ryan fears the development would represent an intrusion on the biodiversity and wildlife of the area.

It's claimed the prospect of unsewered Clare communities receiving government funding is in serious doubt.

The Department of Local Government has issued a deadline of May 1st to Clare County Council for further technical information in order to deliver wastewater infrastructure in Cooraclare and Broadford.

The villages were included in the first round of the €50m rural water programme in December and since then business cases for a follow-up round have been prepared by the local authority for Carrigaholt and Doolin.

Scariff Independent Deputy Michael McNamara believes the Governments lack of action has put the schemes future in jeopardy.

Push For Clare People To Have Access To Greater Variety Of Banks by Clare FM

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan welcomed Kieran McMahon on to the show for the Fitness and Wellness slot. Kieran is an online personal trainer and is also the founder of KM Fitness and the Be A Better Man online coaching mentorship.

This week, Kieran gave us advice on making the most of longer evenings.