Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Power tools top the most unwanted Christmas Present list
Diy fanatics will be in a minority this festive season, as power tools have been voted the least wanted Christmas present this year. According to the new survey by TNS on behalf of online bidding site ebay.ie, power tools were the lowest rated gifts.
The survey also found that the most wanted Christmas gifts include clothes, shoes and accessories. In second place in the most wanted list are gift vouchers, which will entitle the recipient to pick whatever gift they like. After this, gadgets and books came on the most popular list.
When it comes down to who does the Christmas shopping, eBay discovered that 41 per cent of men lump their lists onto their partners. Looking at single people, 80 per cent of women do their shopping by themselves, as opposed to 29 per cent of men. One in ten men wait until Christmas week before they begin their shopping.
Meanwhile, men are most likely to reject the gift of a trip away with 43 per cent of men saying they don’t like the idea. The survey also reveals that women are 70 per cent more likely to cover jewellery than men.
Before the present buying rush, the survey found that 27 per cent of Irish people drop hints to what present they want, along with the 11 per cent of people who are willing to go out and buy their gifts themselves. When it comes to online shopping, 53 per cent of people will be using the internet to buy their presents.
Ruth Szyszkowski of eBay says the reasons that people are moving to buying presents online are obvious.
“With fantastic savings and unparalleled choice available, it comes as no surprise that 37 per cent of Irish people intend on doing more Christmas Shopping online this year than ever before. Nearly one in four people plan on shopping less in local shopping districts and that’s because online shopping relieves the stress and purse pinching often associated with Christmas.”
The survey also found that the most wanted Christmas gifts include clothes, shoes and accessories. In second place in the most wanted list are gift vouchers, which will entitle the recipient to pick whatever gift they like. After this, gadgets and books came on the most popular list.
When it comes down to who does the Christmas shopping, eBay discovered that 41 per cent of men lump their lists onto their partners. Looking at single people, 80 per cent of women do their shopping by themselves, as opposed to 29 per cent of men. One in ten men wait until Christmas week before they begin their shopping.
Meanwhile, men are most likely to reject the gift of a trip away with 43 per cent of men saying they don’t like the idea. The survey also reveals that women are 70 per cent more likely to cover jewellery than men.
Before the present buying rush, the survey found that 27 per cent of Irish people drop hints to what present they want, along with the 11 per cent of people who are willing to go out and buy their gifts themselves. When it comes to online shopping, 53 per cent of people will be using the internet to buy their presents.
Ruth Szyszkowski of eBay says the reasons that people are moving to buying presents online are obvious.
“With fantastic savings and unparalleled choice available, it comes as no surprise that 37 per cent of Irish people intend on doing more Christmas Shopping online this year than ever before. Nearly one in four people plan on shopping less in local shopping districts and that’s because online shopping relieves the stress and purse pinching often associated with Christmas.”
Monday, December 20, 2010
SVP rely on 'rainy day funds' during Christmas period
The Regional President of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP), Cork claims that the organisation is currently getting by on its ‘rainy day’ fund but will help everyone who seeks assistance. Brendan Dempsey said he was not sure if the other SVP offices around the country are facing the same problems, as they are all too busy to keep in constant contact.
“I’d say it’s the same in all regions, but I’m not sure. We won’t be meeting again until after the New Year because we’re so busy. The money should last us into the New Year. After that, we may have to rely on public donations.
For those who cannot give money, Mr Dempsey said the organisation would gladly accept volunteer time.
Mr Dempsey said that the recent half a tonne free cheese that was delivered to SVP Cork was out of stock by 4pm on the day that it arrived.
“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of people who were looking for the cheese. The half a tonne we ordered was gone only a few hours after it came in. We’ve ordered a new batch and we’re still waiting for that to come in.”
Mr Dempsey, a retired lorry driver, said that the future of Ireland is at risk and the current Government is not doing enough to save it.
“Just the other day a third year student in the university came in to us saying that he has to drop out of college because he couldn’t afford it any more. He was unsure about what the future holds for him and his face was pure white when I was talking to him.
“There are thousands of students missing out on becoming doctors, dentists and whatever else the university in Cork offers.
“Young people like that young man will have to become lorry drivers like me. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. This generation was supposed to have it different to mine. They were supposed to have it better.”
Mr Dempsey went on to say that politicians didn’t do enough to help prevent the social injustices.
“The government didn’t do enough to help people. Most of them are gutless, toothless and useless. We elected them and we elected their opposition. The only real opposition to the social injustices that were going on was the media.
“The only politician that springs to mind that really helped Cork was the last Lord Mayor, Dara Murphy. He got up and came out and talked to the people on the street. He was great.”
Mr Dempsey said that SVP Cork is still searching for more volunteers, who would volunteer for two to three hours a week.
“We would train them up and then they would take part in some of the activities we organise. We do prison visitations, meals on wheels, help the homeless and we have around 18 shops throughout the city and county.”
To volunteer with SVP Cork, phone 021-4270444 or visit the base at Ozanam House, 2 Tuckey Street.
“I’d say it’s the same in all regions, but I’m not sure. We won’t be meeting again until after the New Year because we’re so busy. The money should last us into the New Year. After that, we may have to rely on public donations.
For those who cannot give money, Mr Dempsey said the organisation would gladly accept volunteer time.
Mr Dempsey said that the recent half a tonne free cheese that was delivered to SVP Cork was out of stock by 4pm on the day that it arrived.
“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of people who were looking for the cheese. The half a tonne we ordered was gone only a few hours after it came in. We’ve ordered a new batch and we’re still waiting for that to come in.”
Mr Dempsey, a retired lorry driver, said that the future of Ireland is at risk and the current Government is not doing enough to save it.
“Just the other day a third year student in the university came in to us saying that he has to drop out of college because he couldn’t afford it any more. He was unsure about what the future holds for him and his face was pure white when I was talking to him.
“There are thousands of students missing out on becoming doctors, dentists and whatever else the university in Cork offers.
“Young people like that young man will have to become lorry drivers like me. That wasn’t what was supposed to happen. This generation was supposed to have it different to mine. They were supposed to have it better.”
Mr Dempsey went on to say that politicians didn’t do enough to help prevent the social injustices.
“The government didn’t do enough to help people. Most of them are gutless, toothless and useless. We elected them and we elected their opposition. The only real opposition to the social injustices that were going on was the media.
“The only politician that springs to mind that really helped Cork was the last Lord Mayor, Dara Murphy. He got up and came out and talked to the people on the street. He was great.”
Mr Dempsey said that SVP Cork is still searching for more volunteers, who would volunteer for two to three hours a week.
“We would train them up and then they would take part in some of the activities we organise. We do prison visitations, meals on wheels, help the homeless and we have around 18 shops throughout the city and county.”
To volunteer with SVP Cork, phone 021-4270444 or visit the base at Ozanam House, 2 Tuckey Street.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
An Focal wins TV3 award
I'm delighted to say that my friend, Finn McDuffie has won the TV3 Student Newspaper of the Year on Tonight with Vincent Browne. Finn has worked very hard with the paper and I'm proud to say that I was his campaign manager to get elected to his position. Undoubtedly, there will be a party in UL to celebrate the award.
Finn called me a few hours before it was announced to tell me the news. He has no idea who nominated him and he's still getting over the news. You can now follow him on twitter here. To view past editions of An Focal, click on the link in the masthead.
Congratulations on a well deserved award, Finn.
Finn called me a few hours before it was announced to tell me the news. He has no idea who nominated him and he's still getting over the news. You can now follow him on twitter here. To view past editions of An Focal, click on the link in the masthead.
Congratulations on a well deserved award, Finn.
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