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Green Light for Renewable Strategy

Dan  Danaher CLARE County Council has approved a long-term strategy to harness County Clare’s renewable energy resources. The Clare County Renewable Energy Strategy 2014-2020 has been incorporated into the Clare County Development Plan following a four-week long public consultation process earlier this year. The strategy outlines the potential for a range of renewable resources, including bioenergy and anaerobic digestion, micro renewables, geothermal, solar, hydro, energy storage, onshore and offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. Mayor of Clare, Councillor Joe Arkins lauded the council for taking a “pro-active approach” to facilitating renewable energy development, as well as becoming one of the first local authorities in Ireland to incorporate such a strategy into their County Development Plan. “The development of this Strategy has been one of the primary objectives of this Council during the past 5 years and complements the ongoing implementation of Clare’s first Wind Energy Strategy, which has already been incorporated into the County Development Plan,” he said. Mayor Arkins …

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Approved courses for teachers at Willie Clancy

Peter O’Connell The programmes on offer at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy, July 5 to 13, are now recognised by the Department of Education and Skills as approved summer courses for teachers. Among the courses on offer are Dúchas an Cheoil, the Heritage of Irish Music programme which examines the historical, cultural and social backgrounds to the evolution of the Irish traditional music heritage, and the traditional singing workshops which explore the different genres of song in the Irish and English language traditions. These courses are suitable for those wishing to develop a critical overview of the key personalities, events, publications, organisations and influences that have shaped the development of Irish traditional music, song and dance over the past two cenruries. One does not have to be a musician, singer or dancer to participate in these programmes. For those determined to improve their practical skills there is a full programme of instrumental tuition as well as classes on old-style step dancing, …

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Breen visits Quatar and Bahrain

Minister Pat Breen

THE chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen is in Qatar and Bahrain on a three day official visit at the invitation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Qatar and the Shoura Council of Bahrain. The itinerary in Doha includes meetings with the Prime Minister of Qatar, the CEO of Qatar Airways, the Deputy Foreign Minister and the US Assistant Secretary of State for Economics and Business Affairs. On Wednesday, Deputy Breen travels to Bahrain for meetings with the Minister for Industry and Trade to push for the re-opening of the beef and sheep meat market, as well as the Chairman of the Shoura Council and representatives from the Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee there. Deputy Breen said, “This visit is follow up to An Taoiseach’s trade visit in January and it is my hope that it will serve to strengthen the economic and trade ties of Ireland with Qatar and …

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€22m for Clare wastewater schemes

IRISH Water’s proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014-2016 will see over €22 milllion  go towards Clare’s Wastewater Facilities. The plan includes the construction of the Shannon Sewerage Scheme, the Ennis/Clarecastle Scheme, Quin Wastewater Plant and the Kilfenora Sewerage Scheme upgrade. In welcoming the announcement, Clare TD Pat Breen, said,”I am particularly pleased that the Kilrush and Kilkee Sewerage Schemes are included and that a upgrade of the Kilrush WwTP is planned. These schemes are very important to West Clare particularly given the importance of tourism to our local economy and the ongoing development of the Wild Atlantic Way. Nationally approximately €1.7 billion will be invested in our water infrastructure during this period. This programme will see progress and delivery of 380 projects nationally. It will also assist in the ending of boil water notices which has plagued areas of County Clare for a number of years, as well as the rollout of a conservation programme which will deal with leaks. Irish …

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Principals seek audit on PE programmes

THE  National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has called on the Department of Education and Skills to undertake an audit of all school’s PE facilities and fitness programmes. This follows a statement from Education Minister Ruairi Quuinn that no audit of PE facilities or resources in post primary schools has taken place, nor are there any plans to carry out such an audit.The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Deputy Denis Naughten, on whether there are sufficient PE teachers, resources and facilities available in schools and if any audit had been carried out. Commenting on the reply,  Clive Byrne, director of the NAPD said, “I am surprised by the minister’s response to that parliamentary question. Earlier this year a Department of Education and Skills’ ‘Lifeskills’ survey stated that the vast majority of post primary schools are not meeting the recommended time allocation of two hours per week for P.E. The survey also found that more than 90% …

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Counselling in response to Safeguarding Children review

TOWARDS Healing, the free confidential and counselling referral service, will provide extended opening hours this Monday and Tuesday in response to the publication of nine reviews of dioceses and religious congregations. These reviews have been undertaken by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church. The Towards Healing extended opening hours are: 8pm to 1am  Monday  and Tuesday. The Towards Healing telephone helpline operates normally from Mondays to Thursdays, from 11am to 8pm, and on Fridays from 11am to 6pm. Towards Healing can be contacted on Freephone 1800 303416 (Rep of Ireland) Freephone 0800 0963315 (Northern Ireland and UK).

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Child safeguarding report for Killaloe diocese published

THE results of a review of practice in the Diocese of Killaloe, which was undertaken by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, has been published. Safeguarding practices for the diocese were assessed and it found that 44 of 48 criteria have been fully met, with the remaining four being partially met at the time of the audit. The report shows that allegations have been made against 19 Diocesan priests since 1975, six of whom are still alive. Of the six who are alive, two are in ministry, three are out of ministry but still members of the Diocese and one has retired. One priest in the Diocese has been convicted of having committed an offence or offences against a child or young person in the Diocese sinche 1975. Speaking at the launch of the review this afternoon Bishop Kieran O’Reilly said; “The diocese of Killaloe extends our heartfelt apologies to all those who suffered …

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Tulla students deliver farm safety lesson

THE Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has joined forces with Young Social Innovators (YSI) to recognise innovative transition year students on getting the farm safety message to communities around the country. At the Annual YSI Showcase in Dublin, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla received special certificates of recognition from the authority. The award was given on the basis of how the Tulla students spoke about their projects to raise awareness of farm safety issues. Panel members from the Farm Safety Partnership organisations including: HSA, IFA, Teagasc, Farm Relief Services and the Professional Agricultural Contractors of Ireland, listened to the presentations from the students and engaged in a question and answer session with them. HSA chief executive, Martin O’Halloran said, “It’s incredible to see the passion and energy coming from the St. Joseph’s students in getting the farm safety message out there. We came here today to see young people energised about seeking to change something tragic at the heart of …

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