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THE Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) in Clare is suffering serious decay after official figures reveal almost 3,000 fewer local medical card holders were treated over a two-year period. This is despite a dramatic increase in the number of Clare patients who are eligible for treatment under the DTSS, which increased from 31,909 in December 2019 to 33,064 in August 2022. In total, 8,683 Clare dental patients were treated under the DTSS in December 2019, according to figures provided to Councillor Cillian Murphy at a HSE Forum West meeting on Tuesday. This slumped to 5,762 in December 2021 and the latest statistic for 2022 is for August, which stands at 3,661. Private dental practitioners contracted under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provide dental services to medical card holders adults who are 16 years of age or older. The latest shocking figures come hot on the heels of an anti-poverty strategy commissioned by the Clare Public Participation Network, which showed …

Eoin Brennan previews the senior camogie championship semi-finals taking place this Saturday Truagh-Clonlara v Kilmaley at Fr. McNamara Park Doora, Saturday 2pm (Kevin Walsh, Wolfe Tones) All eyes were on Truagh-Clonlara this year to see how they would respond to the heartbreak of a first senior final reverse. With the McMahon Cup almost in their grasp, the South East Clare side were remarkably reeled in by Scariff-Ogonnelloe at the death last November before being lowered in the replay a fortnight later. It could have had a detrimental effect but if anything, Truagh-Clonlara have come back stronger as they defiantly look to get over the line this time around. Off the back of their validation group decider victory over Inagh-Kilnamona, this could be a potential stumbling block as with expectations firmly on reaching another final, Truagh simply cannot overlook the challenge that’s in front of them. After all, in similar circumstances two years previously, Kilmaley almost brought down eventual champions Inagh-Kilnamona …

Things are hotting up in the race for the Clare senior football crown. Eoin Brennan previews this weekend’s four quarter-finals and the relegation play-off Cratloe v Kilmurry Ibrickane at Cusack Park Ennis Saturday 2pm Despite the geographical contrast, there have been no keener or more frequent rivalry at senior level as this is remarkably the 14th championship clash in only 13 seasons between Cratloe and Kilmurry Ibrickane. The pendulum has swung in both directions over that time but crucially the ‘Bricks have held the upper hand over the past five meetings which include the 2016 Final replay and of course the 2020 decider. It’s a testament that Cratloe keep bouncing back despite the narrative, repeatedly hammered home, that they have failed to fulfil their potential in either code since 2014. Following their hurlers’ advancement to the last four on Saturday, it would be a major boost to do likewise in football, especially as it would also end their Kilmurry Ibrickane …

A NEW performance space and auditorium at Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla has been officially opened by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys. The opening of the multi-functional performance space and auditorium, at the Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre marks the culmination of huge local efforts to redevelop a landmark site in the town centre. The regeneration project restored the old convent building and developed the facility that will further enhance and support the town’s rich music and cultural heritage. The project received €900,000 in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). The centre is situated in the heartland of East Clare, on the famous Hill of Tulla, an area renowned for traditional Irish music, song, and dance. The name ‘Cnoc na Gaoithe’ translates in English as the Windswept Hill, made famous by the late Kerry man Bryan MacMahon in his song ‘Lament for Tommy Daly’ in praise of the great Tulla and Clare goalkeeper, Dr Tommy …

Newmarket Celtic’s Vice Chairperson Liam Murphy states the club is striving for continuous improvement on and off the pitch. The comment comes as Newmarket Celtic as the club launched the next phase of its development with plans firmly in place for a new clubhouse which will enhance the facilities in place at the Ennis Road venue even further. Under the plans, the clubhouse will include four dressing rooms and a meeting room which can double up as a gym space. There are also plans for wheelchair accessible toilets, a referee’s room and additional car parking spaces. Murphy believes the new developments can help not just the club but the local community. “Newmarket is a big community and we don’t just see ourselves as a football club. We are a part of the community. This is more than just a football club. We serve a large area and we always strive to provide the best for all our teams, from underage …

Michael O’ Connor was on hand to watch Corofin/Ruan eke out victory over O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke in the Under 17B Academy final on a score of 2-14 to 2-9 AS the Under 17 hurling seasons is nearing conclusion this was a gem of a game in Tubber on Tuesday night. The rainy season was welcomed by all as a stronger balanced Corofin/Ruan side had to withstand a strong last quarter fightback by a Mills/Bodyke side that would have won the game with more consistency in the third quarter. The expectation was a Corofin/Ruan as they appeared physically stronger than their East Clare opponents, but it was Michael O’ Brien who stunned followers with a second minute goal for Mills/Bodyke. It was the start they needed. Colm Breen for Corofin/Ruan and Kyle Touhy with a well taken Mills/Bodyke point were on target by the 6th minute. Corofin/Ruan who were clearly agitated by the efforts of their opponents set to work and successful …

A PLANNING saga involving a controversial wind turbine erected on the outskirts of Parteen took a new twist after Clare County Council granted retention planning permission. An Enforcement Notice issued by Clare County Council on March 8, 2021, requested Limerick Blow Moulding to decommission and remove a wind turbine erected near the factory on or before Thursday, April 8, 2021 following an alleged breach of a planning permission condition. However, the wind turbine, remained in situ, though it was not operational. The company applied for retention permission for a revised site boundary and revised position of a single 800 KW wind turbine, 73 metres high to hub height, as granted under previous planning permissions at Gortatogher, Parteen. Employing 70 people, with more than half living in Parteen, Clonlara and Killaloe, Limerick Blow Moulding manufactures food packaging for the Irish Dairy industry, and pharmaceutical packaging for export into the UK and Europe. Seamus Madden, c/o Limerick Blow Moulding, was granted planning …

WHILE families have been identified as the ‘winners’ in Budget 2023, the Coordinator of West Clare Family Resource Centre has said many measure are only designed to “get people over a hump”. Mary O’Donoghue said that while the raft of family-friendly initiatives in the Budget are welcome, longer-term strategic measures are needed to significantly improve people’s quality of life, particularly in the West of this county.  Among the measures announced in the Budget are a double Child Benefit payment to be paid in November; free school books from primary school children; and a 25% cut in the cost of childcare for those using the National Childcare Scheme.  Social welfare payments, and pensions, are to increase by €12 per week and a once-off double week “Cost of Living Support” payment will be made to all social welfare recipients in October. The normal Christmas Bonus will be paid in early December. An extra €500 for Working Family Payment and Carer Support Grant …