Clare County Council says it is continuing to make public services as accessible as possible during the ongoing health crisis despite all council offices being closed to the public until further notice. The closure of office buildings came into effect following the Government’s introduction of new restrictions on Friday. “Clare County Council continues to deliver vital public services in the challenging circumstances arising from the Coronavirus emergency,” stated Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council on Monday. He continued, “Clare County Council staff will ensure continuity of our essential and critical services across our key operations and the Council’s Crisis Management Team will continue to meet on an ongoing basis. Clare County Council’s response is informed by advice received from the HSE and Public Health Authorities and is subject to ongoing review.” Members of the public requiring assistance relating to a local authority service are requested to contact Clare County Council by phone (065-6821616) or email (customerservices@clarecoco.ie) between 9am and 5pm, Monday to …
Read More »Council offices closed but hubs remain open
Following the Government’s announcement of new measures to minimise the spread of COVID-19, Clare County Council has confirmed that local authority offices, cultural facilities, and sports and recreation buildings will be closed to the public until March 29. However, Clare County Council’s Digital Hubs in Kilrush, Ennistymon, Feakle and Miltown Malbay will remain open to users. Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said, “The Local Authority is taking actions we believe are appropriate to minimise the spread of the virus. Council staff will present for work to ensure a continuity of service across our key operations,” he added. Mr. Dowling said the Local Authority’s Crisis Management Team will continue to meet on an ongoing basis as well as liaise with Government Departments and agencies across the Mid West Region. List of closed Council-supported facilities: • Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis • Municipal District Offices in Shannon, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Scarriff and Shannon • All public branch libraries • Local Studies Centre and …
Read More »Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade cancelled
CLARE County Council has confirmed that the Ennis St Patrick’s Day parade has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Other Clare parades that have been confirmed as cancelled include Ennistymon, Fanore, Kilfenora and Kilkee. In relation to the Ennis parade, Clare County Council said that a risk assessment, based on Health Service Executive guidelines, was carried out which concluded that based on the demographic of those attending the parade, the close proximity of people attending the event and the duration of the event (among other considerations), Clare County Council is not in a position to provide the necessary assurances in relation to current HSE Guidelines.
Read More »Cree plant converts waste plastic into fence posts
A West Clare company is converting waste plastic that is regarded as a blight on the countryside into an environmentally-friendly farm product without any government support. In view of all the calls from environmentalists to address climate change and improve the environment, it is reasonable to assume that IFF Plastics in Cree receives some state subsidy or incentive. However, Sharon Barrington from IFF Plastics Limited has confirmed it doesn’t receive assistance in any form to encourage farmers to purchase their eco friendly plastic posts. IFF Plastic Limited is a West Clare plastic washing, shredding and manufacturing company that takes recycling to a new level accepting all plastics from industrial factories, farms and the ocean. All recycling processes are completely customised by the plant to reuse up to 95% of all plastics accepted at the facility. Recovered ocean plastics were recently added to the process and is proving a great addition to the product. Sharon Barrington explains the current infrastructure in …
Read More »Families evacuated as flood waters threaten more Springfield homes
RESIDENTS in South-East Clare have been evacuated from their homes after rising flood waters cut off access to their dwellings. Two families in Springfield, Clonlara, had to be assisted from their homes on Sunday as the road close to their homes is now impassable. At least ten houses in the Springfield area are at risk of flooding following huge volumes of rainfall in recent weeks and a prediction of between 20 and 25 millimetres of rain on Sunday night. More than 7,000 sandbags and pumping stations have been delivered to houses in the locality as part of a flood management plan being implemented by Clare County Council. Residents are facing a very difficult battle as flood waters have risen by five and a half inches over a 12-hour period from 9am on Sunday. It is estimated that flood waters were rising by half an inch on Sunday night. Speaking to the Clare Champion, resident Geraldine Quinlivan was distraught as she …
Read More »‘Do not drink’ notice in place
Clare County Council and the HSE have issued a ‘Do Not Drink’ Notice to customers of the Kilmaley/Inagh Group Water Scheme which serves over 2,000 homes across nine parishes. Operational problems at the Water Treatment Works are resulting in above recommended levels of aluminium and turbidity, which is a measure of the cloudiness in the water. The notice will remain in place until further notice. Customers are urged to not use water for drinking, preparation of salads or similar foods, cooking food or vegetables and the brushing of teeth. Tankered water will be available at four locations – Inch, Inagh, Kilmaley and Connolly. Members of the public can fill water from those tankers if they are unattended, but are advised to boil the water before use.
Read More »Clare coastal communities warned to take care during Storm Brendan
Met Eireann has issued an orange warning which is in place until midnight tonight. Clare County Council is warning coastal communities that high spring tides accompanied by a storm surge will coincide with the arrival of Storm Brendan and may lead to coastal flooding. The public are also advised to exercise caution when driving especially in coastal areas and allow additional time for their journey. “Clare County Council are advising the public to take care in coastal areas this evening/tonight especially. Strong winds coupled with the spring tides will generate a significant tidal surge and may lead to localised flooding in some areas,” the local authority said in a statement today. “The public are advised to be aware that the weather is expected to be extremely windy with stormy condition, heavy rain and a risk of lighting and thunder. The public are advised to stay back , stay high and stay dry,” the statement added.
Read More »Almost €3m in Clare roads funding for 2020
ALMOST €3 million in roads funding has been allocated to Clare for the coming year, Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has confirmed. Deputy Carey said that €2,932, 040 has been made available to Clare County Council to upgrade and maintain the county’s roads network as a result of funding secured in Budget 2020. “The allocation, which has been confirmed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, includes €1 million for the provision of a pavement linking Lissycasey to Caherea. “I am also delighted that €350,000 has been set aside for work at Blake’s Corner in Ennistymon and €250,000 for the N19 Shannon Airport access road,” he added.
Read More »