Tag Archives: clare county council

THE people of Clare are being urged to embrace their inner Wild Child as part of National Heritage Week this August. Woodland fun, entry to historic sites, open houses and nature outings are just some of the events which have already been lined up in Clare for the annual event. Organisers of events in County Clare are being encouraged to consider sustainable heritage and biodiversity when planning in-person events and digital projects for National Heritage Week 2022, which will take place throughout Clare from August 13 to 21. Details of in-person events and digital projects are now being accepted from individuals, community groups and organisations across County Clare, with sustainability and biodiversity this year’s themes. The heritage projects or ideas are up to organisers, regardless of how small or big the event. All projects submitted will be considered for seven different Heritage Week Awards. An emphasis has been placed on hosting events which are inclusive and involve all the community, …

EFFORTS are to be made to ease the process of providing information to health professionals when people need emergency care.  Councillor Mary Howard is proposing that ‘Smart ID Cards’ be created, so that when people need care, their medical records can be easily and quickly accessed. At the July meeting of the local authority, the Fine Gael member asked that Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, be called on to investigate the matter. “These Smart ID cards would contain information like date of birth, PPS number, allergies, health conditions, surgeries etc these would be especially useful if they need to attend hospital or A&E,” Councillor Howard’s motion said.  Councillor Howard told Council meeting that she heard about the idea through the HSE West Regional Health Forum. “They would be similar to PPS card really,” she explained. “People don’t get sick, especially those who are infirm, 9am and 5pm. Often they are upset, in pain, or brought in by neighbour. “To have …

OFFSHORE energy opportunities could turn West Clare into the “Aberdeen of the wind industry”, local authority members have heard. A debate on the potential of the renewable energy sector to transform the local economy was triggered at the July meeting of Clare County Council by a motion from Councillor Joe Killeen. The Fianna Fáil member sought an outline of current and future efforts to harness offshore wind and wave energy and “efforts to position Clare as the location that companies throughout Europe will choose when considering investment in renewable energy”. Councillor Killeen also called for a seminar, in the autumn, on renewable energy. “If you’re not pushing forward, then you’re in reverse,” he said. “We will be overtaken when it comes to renewable energy. This is a Europe-wide issue. The most appropriate place for this industry is along the West Clare coast.” Referring to the deadline for submissions on the work of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce, which is Friday, …

HOUSING dominated debate at the July meeting of the local authority, with members resolving to write to Minister Darragh O’Brien, asking him to declare a housing emergency.  A motion from Councillor Donna McGettigan called on the minister to “introduce an immediate moratorium on evictions” for a period of three months, and to increase income thresholds for social housing support.  “I saw this motion being passed by Limerick City and County Council and brought it here,” she said. “This is now an issue affecting all social classes. There are just 13 properties available online to rent long-term in Clare. A two-bed apartment will cost €1,000 a month and that’s just not affordable. We are increasingly seeing families having to take in family members and couch surfing is the norm.” The Sinn Féin member accepted that local authority staff are doing their best and she urged her Council colleagues to write to the minister seeking more support.  “The homeless action team are …

THE COST of public liability claims against Clare County Council more than doubled last year, according to figures released to a West Clare member. Councillor PJ Kelly sought detailed information about public liability claims against the local authority over the years 2020 and 2021, ahead of the Council’s July meeting. In a written response, the Lissycasey man was told that 159 claims were settled over the last two years, with payments made in 127 cases. The cost of claims settled came to just under half a million Euro in 2020, while in 2021, the figure was €1,009,173. According to the Council’s data, the average award over the past two years was €9,485. The average for 2021 was €14,213. The largest category of claim related to “footpath slips/trips”, the response said. The Council stressed that their insurers “contest every claim through the various stages” and noted that 32 claims were settled over the last two years, with zero financial payment. Those …

AN ENNIS Councillor has hit out at “anti-social criminals” creating havoc in their own homes and neighbourhoods.  In a motion tabled at the July meeting of the local authority, Councillors Johnny Flynn, Clare Colleran Molloy and Pat Daly, called for a “multi-agency emergency response team” to address the problem. They also sought greater protection for the children living in homes with those engaging in anti-social behaviour.   Councillor Flynn said that despite the great work of the Council’s tenancy enforcement unit, there are “communities in crisis”. “This is because of a very small number of  people,” he said, “who are basically criminals and getting away with it. The tenancy team is already answering around 500 calls a month and doing an extraordinary job, but there are people living in terrible situations, locked into mortgages, who cannot move away from these issues.” Councillor Colleran Molloy pointed out that the tenancy enforcement team is not a permanent one. “We want the tenancy …

POPULATION projections in the forthcoming County Development Plan have been described as “utterly redundant”, on foot of new Census data.  Addressing the July meeting of the local authority, Councillor Cillian Molloy pointed to figures showing a population increase in Clare of 7.2% since 2016. Meanwhile, the plan allows growth of 9.94% up to 2029. In light of that, Councillor Murphy had asked that clarity be sought from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). Referring to a response from the OPR, which said it had no comment to make, Councillor Murphy was sharply critical.  “We have already reached 75% of our future projected population growth out to 2029 even  before submissions to the draft have been taken into consideration and the unelected body, who will run a rule over what we are told repeatedly is our County Development Plan, will not offer us any clarity as to what we can do …

THE GAA has been urged to “change the record,” after criticism of recent renditions of the National Anthem at big match days in Cusack Park.  Ahead of some of the Championship encounters, Councillors Mary Howard, Alan O’Callaghan and Donna McGettigan heard what was described as “a scratchy tape” playing ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’. At the July Council meeting, the trio condemned the sound of “scratching and tearing,” which they said was ruining the build up to big games. They expressed a preference for “local bands like Ennis Brass Band or the Tulla Pipe Band,” and asked that the Council would approach the GAA about the matter.  “In 1995, Anthony Daly said, ‘We love our trad music, but we love our hurling as well’,” outlined Councillor Howard. “I am hugely proud of National Anthem and I get very emotional when I hear it. It’s very important to all of us. On May 15, when Clare met Limerick, the National Anthem was played …