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CAHERCALLA Community Hospital and Hospice enjoyed a 76% increase in surplus of income over expenditure, according to the directors’ report for the financial year ending December 31, 2020, writes Dan Danaher. This report reveals the surplus for 2020, after providing for depreciation, amounted to €184, 940, up from €104,208 in 2019. The company, which is a not-for-profit organisation, has assets of €11,224,824, while its net assets have increased by €184,940. The report stressed the safety of patients and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic remains the company’s highest priority. “Wherever and whenever we can, we are actively supporting those who continue to have their lives changed or impacted by the virus, and those who are tirelessly and selflessly supporting the affected. “We remain incredibly grateful for the extraordinary efforts that all of our people are making in ensuring business continuity and continued support to our staff and patients.” “We have implemented appropriate contingency and business continuity plans in order to safeguard …

CLARE patients are facing inordinate waiting times for public hospital treatment as 97 patients are without a bed in University Hospital Limerick on Tuesday, the highest number recorded in any Irish hospital since records began. The INMO has once again called on the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to investigate the overcrowding issue at the hospital. Mary Fogarty, INMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations said the current trolley numbers in University Hospital Limerick are extremely concerning. “Time and time again, University Hospital Limerick is the most overcrowded hospital in Ireland. “Despite major investment in capacity at the hospital, it is making no dent in the consistent overcrowding problem in the hospital. Overcrowding adds stress for staff and worsens patient care. It is high-risk in normal times, but even more so during a pandemic.” “The INMO is once again calling on HIQA to urgently investigate the overcrowding issue in the hospital and make recommendations. “The patients and nurses at University …

THE founder the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) has been sharply critical of the Department of Housing over ongoing delays in access to the financial support scheme.  Further testing is currently being carried out “to satisfy the Department of the linkage between the deterioration of the blockwork and the confirmed presence of pyrite in the samples”, the Council has told The Champion. It follows queries raised by the Department in December, to which the authority responded shortly before Christmas.  Dr Martina Cleary said the Department, which is still the considering the report seeking access to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme, is now asking the Council “to look for a needle in a haystack”. She also questioned why the authority did not test its own housing stock at the start of last year, in tandem with the testing of five private homes located across the county.  The Crusheen woman said both the expert engineer and the testing laboratories engaged by …

Independent councillor seeks clarity on efficacy of council housing policy, writes Dan Danaher THE number of new social houses that are planned in Clare over the next two years will reduce the overall numbers seeking a permanent dwelling by about 11%. On December 13, 2021, the total gross need of people requiring housing support was 2,994, which broke down to 1, 372, when about 1,600 who are receiving a Housing Assistant Payment in private rented accommodation are taken from the gross figure. Under the Housing Action Plan 2022 to 2026, it is projected 349 social houses will be delivered in Clare over the next two years. Councillor Gerry Flynn pointed out the provision of new houses in Clare will not make a huge impact on the extensive waiting list for housing support. The Shannon councillor tabled a series of questions at a recent council meeting to try to obtain an accurate assessment of the demand from the public for housing …

CLUBS and community organisations around Clare have been invited to apply for a share in a €278,514 community activities fund. The money, Clare’s share in an overall €9m fund, was announced recently by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State Joe O’Brien TD, to support community groups impacted by Covid-19. The Community Activities Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment for community facilities such as playgrounds and community centres. The once-off fund will be allocated under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme and will be administered locally by Clare Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). In line with the funding guidelines, 60 per cent of Clare’s share will be allocated to running costs for groups …

A TOTAL of €5.3million in Active Travel funding has been allocated to Clare County Council to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure in 2022. The money is to be dispersed to projects across the county, with almost €1.5million earmarked for Ennis projects. Communities in the west and north of the county will also see considerable investment under this round of funding. Welcoming the announcement of the €5,298,000 NTA funding, Clare Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey said, “Having worked on active travel with schools and communities all across Clare for 14 years, it is great to see Clare County Council receiving the funding they have badly needed to make our county a more walking and cycling friendly County, thanks to the commitment of Minister Eamon Ryan and myself to the same. “Active travel benefits us mentally and physically. It helps connect communities, provide alternatives for people who don’t drive, reduce air pollution and dependence on cars and reconnect the very fabric of …

LONG after it was first mooted, Clare County Council and the University of Limerick are putting the finishing touches to an application for the creation of a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) in the south east of the county. At Tuesday’s meeting of Shannon Municipal District councillors, Director of Service Liam Conneally said that the Council hopes to be in a position to make the application by the end of this week. Councillor Michael Begley said it is at least two and a half years since it was first considered and he hopes it moves relatively quickly after the application is made. “Hopefully the Minister won’t spend the rest of his tenure deciding.” Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council PJ Ryan complimented the work that was done by the Council executive. “Every time it was mentioned you said work was going on and now we see the fruits of that.” He suggested that Clare’s Oireachtas members be contacted and asked “to put …

THE developers behind a proposed gated community for older people in the heart of Ennis’ town centre have scaled back their initial plans after concerns were raised by the local authority. According to documents lodged with the planning authority, if given the go-ahead the units on Upper O’Connell Street will be managed by D Madigan Properties Ltd and discussions have been held with both the Peter McVerry Group and Cluid Housing about their long-term lease. A planning application lodged by Alan Cummins Ltd had originally sought to construct a two-storey building incorporating six one-bedroom apartments, and a single storey building incorporating six storage sheds to be used in conjunction with the apartments at Upper O’Connell Street. However, these plans have now been reduced to a proposed one-storey building with three one-bed apartments. This comes after Clare County Council sought further information from the developers after highlighting “serious concerns” in relation to the proposed development’s design and its relationship with the …