Tag Archives: pandemic

THERE were over four thousand people signing on the live register in Clare last month, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office. Its figures show that there were 3,850 people signing on in February, but this went up to 4,120 in March. There were 2,053 people on the live register attached to the Ennis Social Welfare Office in March, almost half the county’s total. The number signing on in Ennis was up by almost 200 on the February figure. The number in Ennistymon increased by 36 in March to 779. In Kilrush the number increased by just 10, from 698 to 708. In Tulla the number increased by 30, from 550 to 580. The last payment of the PUP was made on March 29, and people out of work would have been transferring to jobseekers benefit from then. As recently as February 8, 1,608 people were still receiving it in Clare. Despite the numbers on the live register, there …

THE Clare Cancer Support Centre are urging people to mark a special moment in time by shining a ray of light through the cloud left by the Covid-19 pandemic. At 22.22pm on February 22, Clare Sláinte An Chláir ask everyone to shine a light for the past, present and future. This day will mark an extraordinary moment in time. For one minute at 22.22pm on Tuesday, February 22, the date will contain nine twos. This configuration will not occur again until 2222 – two hundred years from now when the date contains 10 twos. Clare Cancer Support would like people to join them in marking this special moment. Locally and globally people have come through two of the most challenging years in living memory. But the centre wants people to step forward with hope. “We will remember those who have died directly or indirectly due to the pandemic. “We will honor those who have stayed on the front lines this …

THE possible negative impact of the deferral the new County Development Plan (2022-2028) for seven months has been played down by the councillor who proposed the move. Councillor Cillian Murphy, who tabled the motion to invoke a new law that takes account of the impact of Covid-19, said that the net delay will be just three months. He added that the deferral is an opportunity to final alternatives to national policies that many fear will do irrevocable damage to rural areas. Last week, the deferral secured unanimous support, with some concerns raised about the potential impact on the county town, which will see both its Local Area Plan (LAP) and Ennis 2040 strategy deferred. “Because the Forward Planning team had actually started the County Development Plan process early, what we’re looking at, in real terms, is a delay of around three months,” Councillor Murphy told The Champion. “I respect the concerns of Ennis members but I don’t believe this will …

MILFORD Hospice, which serves many families in Clare and the Mid-West has had to call off its chief fundraising vehicle for the second year in succession. The Annual Milford Care Centre’s Harvest Fair has, like so many other public events, fallen victim yet again to the restrictions of the prolonged pandemic. Forced to cancel last year’s Harvest Fair for the first time in its 35-year history, plans to hold the 2021 Fair this August have been put on ice. Making the announcement, Milford Care Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Mary O’Brien said “Whilst is it very disappointing to have to miss out on our annual Harvest Fair for the second year in a row, we are guided by Government guidelines and it would be impossible to host an event of this nature. “The protection of human health is at the heart of everything we do, so we could not contemplate putting at risk the lives, or health, of those who have …

SHANNON Group recorded a loss of over €28 million in 2020, with the pandemic devastating its aviation and tourism businesses. In the group’s annual report for 2020, Chief Executive Mary Considine wrote, “We found ourselves facing an unprecedented crisis which resulted in the group recording a loss for the year of €28.2 million (post tax and exceptional items) compared to a profit in 2019 of €21.6 million, a reduction of almost €50 million. “During the year, the group incurred exceptional charges of €27.9 million, the main exceptional item being an impairment in the carrying value of the airport of €24.5 million, which was necessitated as a result of the uncertain passenger outlook due to Covid-19. “Group revenue was down 57% to €34.3 million in 2020 from almost €80 million in 2019. Faced with this significant reduction in revenue, the group implemented stringent cost control measures. “Our overall operating costs reduced by 42.5% in the year, to just under €30 million,” …

TULLA-based company Beckman Coulter is among the West of Ireland firms who are hoping to attract staff looking to relocate in the wake of the pandemic. It comes as the Western Development Commission (WDC) launched a new online jobs portal aimed at attracting professionals and their families to make new lives in Clare and the western region generally. The site, WesternJobs.ie, will help job seekers to find open roles across the region and assist employers in gauging the availability and depth of skills that they require. Commenting, Orlaith Lawler, Senior Director of Beckman Coulter, said her organisation welcomed the chance to be involved. “We are delighted to feature the open roles that we have available here at Beckman Coulter on Westernjobs.ie,” she said. “The portal will act as a one-stop shop to help attract the best talent to the West of Ireland. At Beckman Coulter, we have numerous opportunities for talented, ambitious people.” Quin native and CEO of WDC Tomás Ó Síocháin, said the initiative …

A SENIOR cleric has said that the nation’s mental and emotional wellbeing must receive the same level of investment and effort as the campaign to eradicate Covid-19. Parish Priest of Tulla, Fr Brendan Quinlivan, said that once the pandemic is under control, the government and public health officials must turn their attention to tackling the psychological fall-out being experienced by all generations. Fr Quinlivan, who is also the Killaloe diocesan communications officer, said that one of the biggest challenges will be dealing with unresolved grief for those who have been bereaved during the pandemic. “There are huge concerns about what the legacy of Covid-19 will be in terms of mental health and wellbeing,” he said. “We are increasingly hopeful about the roll-out of vaccines and the return to normal life, but we need to make sure that as much time, effort and investment is poured into addressing the impact of the lockdowns on so many people. Our children and young …

BISHOP of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan is appealing to the public to avoid congregating around funeral ceremonies, outside churches and at cemeteries. Bishop Monahan said that following conversations with priests and people around the Diocese in recent weeks, he had learned of serious health and safety concerns about the number of people gathering after funeral ceremonies in church and also at burial ceremonies. “Whilst it is such a positive and deeply ingrained aspect of our culture in Ireland to gather and offer condolences to the bereaved family, unfortunately due to the highly contagious nature of the coronavirus it is still not safe to do so,” he said. “While being sensitive to the needs of mourners for care and compassion at such a difficult time, many priests have expressed deep concern for the wellbeing of parishioners gathering in such a manner and I share that concern.” The Catholic bishop said that at the start of the pandemic, mourners and families have been …