Candidate sought to monitor task force progress

CLARE County Council is seeking to take on a number of people to work in tourism-related activities under the Government’s National Internship and Jobs Bridge Scheme.

At Monday’s West Clare Electoral Area meeting in Mullagh, attended by all six local area councillors, Councillor Christy Curtin asked that the council recruit a candidate to monitor the implementation of the West Clare Economic Task Force findings. The six-point task force plan was published in July 2010 and was launched in Kilrush by the then government minister Tony Killeen.
One of the proposals was to establish a Kilrush-based West Clare Tourism Centre, which would act as a one-stop shop for tourism in the region. Kilrush Town Council was described in the report as the “lead agency” with regard to the establishment of the tourism centre.
In the report, Kilrush Town Council was also given responsibility for the provision of tourism information boards in West Clare, the provision of a telescope at Loop Head and the marketing of historical sites.
Clare County Council undertook to head up a two to five-year plan to develop Loop Head lighthouse in Kilbaha as a major tourist attraction. Areas of potential to be worked on included the provision of parking and road maintenance at the Bridges of Ross, shore-based dolphin watching at Loop Head, along with designated walking, cycling and hiking options. Among the other proposals is to carry out an evaluation of existing business accommodation in West Clare and to market the premises to prospective entrepreneurs.
In reply to Councillor Curtin’s motion, Nora Kaye, director of services, said a job specification for this post and other “tourist-related activities” has been posted on the FÁS website.
“As soon as interested parties apply, interviews will be arranged. The successful candidate will be based in Kilrush and will attend the West Clare Economic Task Force meetings,” Ms Kaye explained.
Last February, Kilrush Town Councillor Tom Prendeville expressed his fear that the task force recommendations might not be implemented.
“It may finish up gathering dust on some council shelf unless a fair and adequate attempt is made to implement its recommendations,” Councillor Prendeville warned at the February meeting of Kilrush Town Council.
The West Clare Economic Task Force incorporates several agencies in Clare, including Clare County Council, Kilrush Town Council, Kilkee Town Council, Shannon Development, Kilrush Chamber of Commerce, Kilkee Chamber of Commerce, Clare Local Development Company, FÁS, Clare County Enterprise Board, Clare Vocational Education Committee and Enterprise Ireland.
The committee was chaired at the time by Councillor Christy Curtin.