Near Media Co-Op is a not-for-profit community media project. The project consists of Near FM and Near TV and works in platforms as diverse as computer training, drama production, assisting unsigned musicians and educational programming. Near FM broadcasts 24 hours a day over 365 days per year. We operate an open access policy and run…
Intercultural Media Project Update
RONNIE O’BRIEN talks to GRACE WILENTZ, Coordinator of Near FM’s Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media initiative, and EOIN DRINAN on updates on the second round of the Intercultural Media Projects and the issue of migrants and the media. The Intercultural Dialogue through Community Media project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Integration Fund…
Pensioners Receive Pension Tax Bills by Post
MAIREAD HAYES of the Senior Citizens’ parliament discusses the taxing of state pensions with NOEL McGuinness. Under new rules under Section 261, the Department of Social Protection has started taxing State Pensions regardless of the marital status or health status of those in receipt of the pensions. In some cases the sums are as low…
School of Cosmic Physics at Dunsink Observatory
SENIOR PROFESSOR LUKE DRURY, HEAD OF ASTROPHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY SECTION, talks to Mark Finnegan about National Science Week and the international significance of Dunsink in terms of research into outer space. It is rocket science! The Irish Astronomy Trail, taking in Cork, Galway and Newgrange is also discussed. Over 4,000 people a year visit Dunsink…
5 Lamps Arts Festival 2012
Festival coordinator, ROISIN LONERGAN gives Pat Meehan a preview of the 5 Lamps Arts Festival. She describes some of the events and performances taking place, including The Parting Glass and a celebration of the life of Delia Murphy in a show called, ‘I Live til I die’. They also discuss community gardens and the Dublin Dock workers…
Charter for Fair Conditions at Work & Building Plans for Oscar Traynor Road
John speaks to ALISON GILLILAND about the charter for fair conditions at work and the building plans for the Oscar Traynor Road. She talks about her background with Labour and the Dublin City Council, the work being up in nowadays by trade unions, the key principals to the charter, the value for both the employees…
Orla O’Connor Speaks Out on Gender Balance
ORLA O’CONNOR is Director of National Women’s Council of Ireland. She holds a Masters degree in European Social Policy from NUIM and a degree in Social Science from UCD. Orla has worked in senior management in non-governmental organisations in Ireland for over 15 year. She was previously the Head of Policy of NWCI, and has…
Donnycarney Community Run For St Francis Hospice
TINA WALSH, manager of Donnycarney Community & Youth Centre talks to Pat Meehan about the forthcoming Fun Run in aid of St Francis Hospice. The Centre is a community facilities and services provider. Their focus is to provide recreational, social and educational space and activities for people of all ages, including young people at risk,…
CEO Of Alone speaks About Shortage of Hospital Beds In Ireland
Noel Mc Guinness speaks to SEAN MOYNIHAN who is CEO of Alone’s organisation here in Dublin. Alone propose soluation’s to the governmcnt to free up acute hospital beds in our hospitals. He speak’s about Older people living longer & there’s a lack of services for them here in Ireland. We need more nursing home beds…
Artane Man Alan Bracken Joins Fianna Fáil National Executive
ALAN BRACKEN comes into Near FM to chat with Mark Finnegan. Alan was elected to the Fianna Fáil National Executive last week. “I was delighted to be elected and now hope to get Fianna Fáil moving in Dublin once again. Fianna Fáil must work hard to show an alternative in communities across the country. I…
Immigrant Council of Ireland’s “Turn off the Red Light campaign”
DIANE KELLY, who is the anti trafficking officer at the Immigrant Council of Ireland, explains how the council is lobbying to make it illegal to purchase sex indoors in Ireland. As of December 2012, it was illegal to solicit or purchase sex outdoors, however a loophole in legislation did not cover the purchasing of sex indoors. They…
Near Media co-ops Social Justice Media conference – preview
JACK BYRNE speaks to John Healy about an upcoming seminar on Social Justice being held by Near Media Co- op and outlines both the purpose of the event as well as the numerous activities that will take part on the day. …
Special needs assistants cut backs
PAT MEEHAN speaks with PAMELA MEATES who is a parent of a special needs child in Holy trinity school in Donaghmeade. They are talking about losing a special needs assistant due to cut backs…
Volunteer Programme To Mark International Volunteer Day
VALERIE VETTER, a volunteer from the St. Francis Hospice, Raheny talks to several other volunteers about their experiences in the hospice as part the Volunteer Programme to mark International Volunteer Day that took place on December 5th. BRENDA FARRELLY, head coordinator of the St. Francis Hospices talks about how long the hospices in Blanchardstown and…
Call For Tenants’ Unions To Be Formed
A small group of tenants in Stoneybatter quietly came together earlier this year to form the Dublin Tenants Association. Now they’re ready to go public. Having come to the end of what they referred to as a “pilot phase”, they say they now know the ins and outs of tenants’ rights, and have helped about…