Tag Archives: clare county council

Serious concern about the exploitation of women relating to the sex industry was expressed by a local councillor this week. In a motion presented to Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard asked that “this council recognises that the trafficking, exploitation and abuse of women and girls is taking place in County Clare and throughout the country within and as a direct result of prostitution. This council understands prostitution to be a form of men’s violence against women that affects individuals, communities, and society as a whole and that human trafficking for sexual exploitation is a modern form of slavery and an abuse of human rights”. In the motion, which was strongly endorsed, she said, “This council calls on the Minister for Justice and Equality to implement the Justice Committees unanimous recommendations to introduce laws, which make it an offence to pay for sex and is seeking such laws. This legislation must criminalise the demand for paid sex, decriminalise the seller …

Community groups and environmental organisations across County Clare are to enjoy a share of €22,000 under the 2014 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund. The fund, which is administered by Clare County Council in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, will benefit 15 local projects and schemes that are seeking to increase local levels of environmental awareness and help communities become more sustainable. Senator Tony Mulchay said, “This fund has supported a wide variety of local projects and schemes down through the years, including community gardens, allotments and compost schemes, rainwater harvesting systems, educational initiatives and environmental exhibitions. Each of these projects has helped to further improve the sustainability and physical appearance of the respective communities.” The projects include: – Lorraine Power: Implementing best practice environmental projects for Tidy Towns groups (€2,500) – Laghtagoona Residents Assoc.: Estate Enhancement Project (€2,450) – East Clare Co Operative: Future of Food – 1010 for 2010 Documentary (€2,450) – …

Met Éireann has issued a yellow weather warning of gale force winds from a north westerly direction overnight and into tomorrow morning. Coastal areas are most at risk. This weather will coincide with high tides tomorrow morning. The tides are not spring tides, however Clare County Council is urging persons who are exposed to north westerly winds in particular to be vigilant over this period. People who have previously experienced flooding situations are advised to take appropriate precautions.

CLARE County Council’s efforts to progress with learning how to treat and dispose of asbestos at various sites in West Clare have been hit by the receipt of only one tender, following a public procurement process. Based on information provided by consultancy firm RPS, in August the council sought tenders from companies who would help to establish the extent of the asbestos issue. Clare County Council confirmed on Wednesday that it has terminated the tender process without appointing a consultant. The council is now reviewing its options, in consultation with RPS. Last March, Clare County Council commissioned an external, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the depositing of asbestos and cement materials at a number of sites throughout West Clare. At the time, the council said it informed the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) of its intention to remove the hazardous waste material from nine separate locations in the vicinity of Kilrush and Kilkee. A specialist asbestos consultant was engaged …

Clare County Council has issued a severe weather alert after being advised by Met Éireann of the possibility of some very intensive rainfall bursts over short periods between this Friday afternoon and midnight on Sunday night, October 19. Coastal and elevated areas are most at risk. Localised flooding is a distinct possibility and people who have previously experienced flooding situations are advised to take appropriate precautions over the weekend.

Connaught Road in Scariff has been named Best Kept Local Authority Estate and Ballynacally Tidy Towns the overall winner of the Clare In Bloom competition, in 2014 Clare County Council’s Community Awards. The Mayor’s Environmental Award went to Mountshannon Community Council, Clare’s four Pride of Place participants were also honoured for their involvement in the all-island competition. Clarecastle Community Development Ltd., Clarisford Ltd., Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd., and Tuamgraney Community Woodland will be hoping to emulate the success of other local community groups in previous years at the Pride of Place ceremony in Ennis on November 15. Speaking at Áras Contae an Chláir, cathaoirleach, John Crowe acknowledged the work being undertaken within Clare communities to enhance the living environment. “There is a great level of volunteerism and community spirit in this county as is evidenced by the interest in these awards. I also want to thank the adjudicators and the two sponsors of the Clare in Bloom Competition; ESB Moneypoint and …

Clare County Council has established a new €50,000 fund that playground  committees throughout the county can apply for a share of. The council ran a very successful playground grant scheme from 2008-2013. During this period a total sum of €2.18 million was allocated to develop 29 new playgrounds. Funding for this scheme came largely from levies imposed on developers during the building boom. Since their initial construction and development many communities that administer local playgrounds project have struggled to cover running costs. Typically it costs a community somewhere between €2,000 to €3,000 per annum to provide for insurance cover, financial auditing, safety assessments and routine maintenance works. These groups rely heavily on fundraising and the goodwill of their local communities and have been crying out for a council grant scheme to help them defray costs. The new grant scheme will help greatly to meet the short-term needs of playground committees. If every one of the 29 existing playground group were to …

Visitors to Loop Head Lighthouse increased by 7.5% during the West Clare landmark’s six-month opening period up to Sunday, October 5. Figures released by Clare County Council, which manages the facility in conjunction with the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), reveal that a record 20,368 people visited the historic lighthouse. Just over 60% of visitors were Irish visitors, with North America, the United Kingdom and Germany each accounting for 8% of the overall figure. Italian and French visitors represented just over 5% of the total figure. Gerard Dollard, director of services, tourism and Community, Clare County Council, said visitor numbers at the lighthouse were buoyed by the development of new services at Shannon Airport, favourable weather conditions during September, and the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way. “Loop Head Lighthouse is now finishing its fourth year of operation as a visitor attraction. During this time, it has become firmly established as one of Clare’s most popular visitor attractions,” he said. Mr …