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Tag Archives: clare county council

Council unable to provide clarity on defective blocks grant

CLARE County Council has said that it is continuing to engage with national government and the Housing Agency on the new scheme for homeowners with defective blocks.  Despite the fact that the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme was extended to Clare and Limerick last June, the grant has still not opened to homeowners in the Mid-West. The scheme itself was revised through legislation signed by the President in July, but is still not operational in the four counties it covers. Last week, angry homeowners, facing another winter of uncertainty, told Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien of their frustration at being “trapped” in their unsafe homes. They also appealed to him to give a date for the opening of the new scheme.  In response to a query from The Champion, the Council said it is still awaiting clarity on the role of each local authority. “Since the approved inclusion of County Clare properties onto the Defective Concrete Block Redress Scheme, we are continuing to engage with …

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Affordable housing schemes restricted to two Clare towns

CLARE County Council is to seek funding for affordable housing in the urban areas of the county, the October meeting of the local authority heard. Independent Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that the Council make an approach on the matter to housing minister Darragh O’Brien. In a written response to his motion, Director of Social Development Ann Haugh stated, “As advised by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, proposals located within the CSO settlement boundaries of the five cities (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford) are eligible for Affordable Housing Fund funding. “However, proposals located outside the five cities must be located within local authority areas with a minimum average 5% Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) Affordability Constraint for new housing demand over the period 2021 to 2026 calculated for the entire local authority area. “The HDNA assessment of the Clare local authority area has not demonstrated this required affordability constraint and therefore does not meet …

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Ennis primary school extension gets green light

THE extension of an Ennis primary school, which is expected to result in an “enhanced” school experience for students and staff, has been given the green light by Clare County Council. Planning permission has been granted for a two storey extension to Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg which will include the first Early Intervention Unit at a mainstream primary school in the town. The school on the Gort Road will develop six classrooms, a general purpose hall, two SEN classrooms and two ball courts as well as additional carparking and other associated works. The planning authority has granted planning permission to the Board of Management of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg subject to seven conditions, including that a planned parking area at Glenina pitch be dedicated to Clare County Council once finished. A proposal for a bus turning area along the side of Glenina pitch has not been permitted by the local authority. “The purpose of the new classroom and associated facilities is to …

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Ennis artists bring spark of creativity with ‘Negative Spaces’

AN Ennis duo’s new artistic endeavour has been bringing sparks of colour and creativity to electrical boxes in locations throughout the county capital. Artists Rachel Macmanus and Robert Downey are the pair behind this project, busily brightening up the boxes dotted throughout Ennis with different works of art. The artists have joined forces to create the Negative Space Collective, a new platform to develop contemporary art and further strengthen visual arts culture and opportunities in the west of Ireland. The electrical box project involves a series of urban art pieces which have been created with the support of Clare Arts Office, under the PRISM Urban Art scheme. And, they both hope this project will be just the start of a movement encouraging artists and communities to come together to create art for everyone. The striking works on the electrical boxes include, among others, depictions of teenagers at Club Bridge, a garda near Ennis Garda Station, a contemporary take on the …

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Supermacs boss says Ennis motorway plaza is a ‘win-win’

THE development of a €10 million Barrack Obama Plaza-style motorway service station just outside of Ennis is a “win-win” insists Supermacs managing director Pat McDonagh. As well as creating jobs, he believes the development has the potential to boost local business and tourism saying, “Anything that brings business to an area generally creates other opportunities.” Mr McDonagh spoke to the Clare Champion this week after An Bord Pleanala upheld a decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for the development adjacent to Junction 12 of the M18 at Kilbreckan, Doora. The green light from An Bord Pleanala comes eight years after proposals for a motorway plaza were first lodged by the fast food giant with Mr McDonagh saying, “It’s good to get it over the line, it’s been a long haul.” He outlines the new plaza will result in similar job creation to the Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall, with 120 people expected to be employed at the …

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Workers to hold lunch time protest at Bunratty Castle on Friday

SHANNON Heritage staff working at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park are set to hold a lunchtime protest at 1pm on Friday, as there is still no clarity about the expected transfer to Clare County Council. They are set to assemble close to the entrance to the facility and it’s expected that workers from other Shannon Heritage sites will be there in support. While many of the workers are members of SIPTU, Friday’s protest is not linked to the union. As well as the lack of progress on the transfer, there is concern among workers that they could be laid off for the first three months of 2023, similar to what has happened to them in other years since the emergence of Covid-19. There is also frustration that Shannon Heritage has not made itself available for a hearing on conditions at the WRC on a date next month, meaning the process has been delayed by eight days. All staff are receiving …

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Heritage Week awards for County Clare Bogs, Boats and Dolphins

THREE Clare events celebrating the county’s heritage have been honoured by the Heritage Council. Ninety events took place in County Clare for National Heritage Week this year, with many outstanding events showcasing the fantastic heritage of County Clare. Three Clare Heritage Week events starred at the National Heritage Awards 2022 which were held recently. Shanakyle Bog Restoration Project, Connecting Communities with Peatland “Walk & Talk on Shanakyle Bog” was awarded the County Clare Heritage Event Award. Shanakyle Bog is located near Parteen. It is approximately 70 acres in extent, of which 30 acres was subject to restoration and rewetting work by Shanakyle Bog Restoration Group in 2021. The bog was managed for domestic turf cutting in the past with peat extraction peaking during the 1940s. Turf cutting has not been practiced in over 40 years on the bog and some sections of the bog regenerated on its own to form active raised bog (ARB) on cutover characterised by Sphagnum lawns …

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Shannon’s ‘original town centre’ set for facelift

A PLANNING application has been lodged for the refurbishment of the Drumgeely Neighbourhood Centre, which is the public open space area enclosed by Drumgeely Avenue, Fergus Drive and Allen Park. A design statement accompanying the application says that it will improve the appearance and increase the vibrancy of the area. “The purpose of this proposed development is an initiative of the Shannon MD and Clare County Council to upgrade the outdated public realm facility at Drumgeely Neighbourhood Centre. “This project proposes to revitalise the neighbourhood centre of Drumgeely. It will positively impact vibrancy and ‘outdoor living’ in the community while attracting new customers, business and a night time economy.” It said that accessibility will be improved by it. “The public realm at the centre is in poor condition with poor accessibility. This project proposes to redefine the streetscape so that it is accessible to today’s standards, while being safe and attractive to service users. “The renewal will also provide a …

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