Tag Archives: chief executive

QUESTIONS are being raised about why a multi-million housing development planned for Meelick has been shelved at a time when private rented accommodation is securing monthly rents of up to €1,300. Deputy Cathal Crowe has written to Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy asking for an explanation why this major development of 70 new housing units was not sanctioned by his department. “It is hugely regrettable that this project is not being developed at a time when there is an immense need for housing in the area. I liked this development because it almost had a 50 50 split of affordable and social housing. “There is a huge demand for housing in South-East Clare. Rents are averaging between €1,300 and €1,500 a month, which is some of the highest in the county. “There is huge rental pressure because of proximity to Limerick City and this housing development needed to happen,” he outlined. “There are other land parcels for sale in Meelick and …

CLARE County Council is facing a potential deficit of €19.7 million as a result of the collapse in economic activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it emerged this week. Deputy Cathal Crowe has called on the government to intervene with additional funding to prevent the need for the local authority to request businesses to pay commercial rates next August. Even though local businesses have got a three-month commercial rates payment deferral, Deputy Crowe believes the government needs to address this issue to avoid a situation where the council will be seeking rates that are already owed. The Meelick Deputy said it is unfair to pubs and restaurants to be paying full commercial rates next Autumn. He pointed out a lot of the council’s expenditure can’t be cut because one of its biggest outlays is its wage bill. If the council has to reduce expenditure, he expressed fears that works on capital projects such as roads will have to be scaled …

Clare County Council has signed a 20-year lease for 35 apartments at the Pairc na Coille complex in Ennis to accommodate people on the social housing list. The council said the acquisition of the 35 apartments complements the vibrant community that now exists at the Pairc na Coille site. The local authority has also confirmed that the lease costs will be recouped from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government under the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Ireland’ Plan. The acquisition brings to 62 the number of properties leased by the Local Authority at the Showgrounds Road location. In 2015, Clare County Council signed a lease for 27 detached properties, all of which are now occupied. Signing on behalf of Clare County Council were cathairleach Bill Chambers; Pat Dowling, chief executive; and Liam Conneally, director of Services, social development directorate. Margaret Irwin from Dermot G. O’Donovan Solicitors signed on behalf of the owner’s consortium, which comprises individuals from Clare, Limerick and …

National Heritage Week 2014 has been hailed as a “fantastic success” with over 980 programme  organisers running events. In Clare, there were more than 80 events right across the county. “It is fantastic to see that 31% of those organizing events this year have been involved in Heritage Week for more than five years, while 25% were getting involved for the first time, remarked Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council. “Heritage Week would not be the success it is if it wasn’t for the dedication and commitment of all those who get involved in organizing events and promoting their local heritage for people to enjoy,” he added. Event Organisers are being encouraged to enter their events in the 2014 Event Organiser Awards, which showcase the fantastic work by event organisers throughout the week. Entries can be made in the following categories – Best Overall Event, Best Event organised by a Community Group / NGO / Individual, Best Children’s Event …