While there are still nearly half a million people receiving some sort of Covid payment, many of the main mortgage lenders have imposed restrictions on applications by those who are still in receipt of the payment. AIB has paused mortgage applications for people being paid through the scheme, while Permanent TSB needs assurance from an employer before allowing customers to draw down. Bank of Ireland, are looking at applications on a case-by-case basis. The new Minister Daragh O'Brien says he will do his best to resolve the issue. Damien speaks to Joey Sheahen, author of "The Mortgage Coach".
Also on the show Damien is joined by Labour Party leader Alan Kelly who discusses what he envisages for the future of the country post Covid.
Michael Garland and Jenny Beresford, both members of a taskforce set up to improve the retail impact of Waterford City and Dungarvan, discuss recent efforts to improve and differentiate the centre of the two towns including street furniture planning, new windows initiative, social media, and car parking.
And Vincent Pettit, co-owner of 360 Cookhouse and Jitterbeans Cafe in Dungarvan tells Damien how they have managed during lockdown and preparations for re-opening.
Figures released yesterday showed that since the introduction of legal abortion in this country there have been 149 abortions in Waterford, and a total of 6,666 in the entire country. Damien discusses this issue with Paul Cullen, Health Editor with The Irish Times.
Damien is also joined in studio by Michael Kelly form GIY which re-opens today. They did a lot of work during the lockdown encouraging people to start growing, running a programme where they sent seeds to lots of people around the country and also ran 'how to' guides.
Author Siobhain McDonald, who previously lived in Lismore in Co Waterford, tells Damien about her new book "Guilty" which is set in Co Clare.
And Damien is joined in studio by Nicola Aylward from Down syndrome Ireland and Ray Power from Ballybeg Greens. They are running a Vegetable Box as a joint enterprise with Ballybeg Greens and the Waterford and South Kilkenny Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland, which is receiving 20% of the income from the vegetable boxes. The funds will be going to benefit the 190 members with Down Syndrome living in the local area.
