Tag Archives: Irish Water

A NUMBER of councillors expressed anger at problems in the water supply around Sixmilebridge and Cratloe, at this week’s Shannon Municipal District meeting. Councillor John Crowe put forward motions asking that the Cappa/Rossmanagher Group Water Scheme and the Castlecrine Group Water Scheme both be taken over by Irish Water. Fianna Fáil Councillor Cathal Crowe asked that the council and Irish Water devise a plan to improve water pressure to the Wood Road in Cratloe. Regarding the Cappa/Rossmanagher scheme, Councillor John Crowe said that people on it have only got “a trickle of water for the last three or four weeks and they have no place to go to try and get this rectified.” He claimed it is “an absolute disgrace” that issues with group water schemes can’t be sorted out. Illustrating the problem with water pressure, he said that people have left water running into a kettle for over three hours without filling it. Independent PJ Ryan said that on …

We’re all familiar with the ditty, The pub with no Beer, but a  busy pub and restaurant in East Clare was without a proper water service last weekend, after a major leak occurred in Whitegate. Publican at the Half Barrel, Batt O’Riordan and his local representative, Councillor Pat Burke, were surprised that Irish Water did not consider the “major leak” to be an emergency. They were equally surprised when Irish Water said they could not come out until Monday and advised them to contact the local authority emergency number. The issue was reported on Saturday evening. A member of Clare County Council assessed the situation that day but was not in a position to repair the leak. Irish Water did come out on Monday morning and repaired the leak. In the meantime, the Half Barrel operated its business with the assistance of a neighbour who was able to run a hose to their water tank. Batt O’Riordan said Irish Water …

Speaking at a Shannon Chamber organised event last Friday, Minister Phil Hogan claimed credit for making changes to local government, and staunchly defended the establishment of Irish Water. Regarding changes to local authorities, he said, “We have in difficult times, and in difficult political times for myself, brought about the most radical reform of local government in 100 years.” While there has been criticism, not least in Clare, of his move to bring Local Development Companies under the auspices of county councils, he said it is the right move. “It’s not acceptable that 29% of the money that I give out in the social inclusion measures that are essential for frontline services and communities are spent on administration. We have to reduce that. We also want to ensure that we have greater financial autonomy and greater financial management in relation to the money that we give and we’re going to do that through an existing public service organisation called local …

IRISH Water’s proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014-2016 will see over €22 milllion  go towards Clare’s Wastewater Facilities. The plan includes the construction of the Shannon Sewerage Scheme, the Ennis/Clarecastle Scheme, Quin Wastewater Plant and the Kilfenora Sewerage Scheme upgrade. In welcoming the announcement, Clare TD Pat Breen, said,”I am particularly pleased that the Kilrush and Kilkee Sewerage Schemes are included and that a upgrade of the Kilrush WwTP is planned. These schemes are very important to West Clare particularly given the importance of tourism to our local economy and the ongoing development of the Wild Atlantic Way. Nationally approximately €1.7 billion will be invested in our water infrastructure during this period. This programme will see progress and delivery of 380 projects nationally. It will also assist in the ending of boil water notices which has plagued areas of County Clare for a number of years, as well as the rollout of a conservation programme which will deal with leaks. Irish …

by Carol Byrne THE future of nine arts projects in Clare, worth €343,500, are in limbo after Irish Water indicated it is going to discontinue the Per Cent for Art Scheme. Clare County Council applied for grants following the construction of nine water schemes in the county. Three applications for arts funding of €51,000 were sought in relation to the construction of the Newmarket-on-Fergus Water, Ennis Water Treatment Plant and West Clare Contract Six Water Schemes. A further three applications for €38,000 in arts funding were made following the development of the Ennis Augmentation Water Scheme, Corofin Sewerage Scheme and Lisdoonvarna Water Supply Scheme extension to Ballyvaughan. Two applications for funding of €25,500 were sought under the Per Cent for Art Scheme following the construction of the Tulla Serviced Land Initiative (SLI) and the Clonlara SLI Sewerage Scheme, while one application for funding of €25,000 was made in respect of works at the Clarecastle SLI. The information emerged in a …

FEARS  have been expressed that the owners of wells and boreholes in Clare will be hit with registration fees under proposed new legislation. Councillor Pat McMahon expressed concern about the implications for hundreds of private wells if, as expected, new legislation is introduced to licence the use of all water from private sources to comply with EU requirements. The Newmarket Councillor has also warned that the new national water agency Irish Water will not show any leniency towards genuine hardship arrears cases in the county. He claimed at a council meeting on Monday that he was informed by a senior council official there would be “no deals” for anyone in arrears, regardless of whether they presented a strong case. The Fianna Fáil Councillor also sought clarification about whether the new legislation will apply to existing and or new wells and boreholes in the county. His concern was shared by Councillor Michael Kelly, who stated that people who had sunk bore holes and wells had already incurred considerable …