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Tag Archives: social housing

Discrimination against Clare

Kerry and Limerick families can earn €5k more and access housing assistance THE plight of working families who are unable to access housing support because of “bizarre geographical discrimination” was highlighted in a joint motion from seven councillors at the May local authority meeting. The matter was raised by Councillors Cillian Murphy, Gerry Flynn, Tony O’Brien, Johnny Flynn, Shane Talty, Pat O’Gorman and Pat Hayes who called on the housing minister to review the maximum household income thresholds as a matter of urgency. Councillor Murphy outlined his concerns by describing a hypothetical case of a young woman, with three small children. “She works part time in a local business and earns €180 per week,” he said. “She gets income support of €152 and one parent allowance of €226 per week. “She is separated and doesn’t receive any maintenance, so her grand total income is €558 per week. Her rent is €165 per week and she pays out €240 every week …

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Anger as property earmarked for social housing lies empty for 19 years

A LANDMARK property in Mountshannon has lain idle for 19 years, with no progress on plans for sheltered accommodation, in a situation branded by a local councillor as “shocking” and “a disgrace”. The status of Mountshannon House was raised by Councillor Pat Burke who said that “a major mistake” had been made when the property was sold, by the local authority, in 2002. The meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District was told that Respond Voluntary Housing Association had purchased the building with a view to creating homes for the elderly and those with special needs under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). In response to Councillor Burke’s query, the council outlined how the purchase had been financed by a loan raised by the local authority. A written reply noted that the accommodation scheme has not progressed to-date, and that Respond remains responsible for the building’s maintenance and upkeep “as they own the house with Clare County Council having a charge on …

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Stumbling block for Scariff social homes scheme

A MULTI-MILLION euro social housing development for Scariff has hit a hitch, after questions were raised over its proposed density by the Department of Housing. Councillor Pat Burke sought an update on the status of the project at the recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District. Director of Services Ann Haugh, who also heads up the Social Development Directorate, outlined the current situation with the planned development at Ballyminogue. “We have encountered a slight delay,” she told the meeting. “We made a Stage 2 application to the department, but it was return to us not approved. We have had to go back and look at densities and other issues. There are certain aspects of the plans which will have to be reviewed.” Councillor Burke asked if any questions had been raised of the number of units in the estate, which was to 18 under the original plans. “Reducing the density and the overall footprint of the development might be conditions …

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“Badly needed homes” completed in Clare under social housing developments

THE completion of 30 residential units under social housing developments in County Clare alongside 163 additional units currently under construction will provide “badly needed homes for the people of Clare.” That’s according to Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard who welcomed the developments adding, “It is essential that Clare County Council continues to build homes as part of our plans to address our social housing requirements, and to continue to do this in a planned and strategic way.” The completed units are located in Quilty, Kilmihil, Sixmilebridge and Roslevan. Construction on a new development of 18 units at An Cladach, Quilty West, Quilty, commenced on April 25, 2019, and was handed over to Clare County Council on December 18, 2020. This development was constructed by Martins Construction Ltd and comprises a mix of two, three and four-bedroom single and two-storey semi-detached houses. These residential units were constructed to a high standard and achieved Building Energy Ratings (BERs) of …

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Concern over ‘digital divide’ for social housing applicants

CLARE County Council has moved to reassure the public that a new on-line system for advertising social housing won’t disadvantage those who are not computer literate. The issue was raised at the monthly meeting of the authority by Councillor PJ Ryan who said constituents had been contacting him to voice concerns over the new Choice Based Letting (CBL) system, which allows people to view newly-available properties and make a bid from them through an on-line platform. “There is a bit of nervousness and a genuine fear out there that if you are not computer literate, you will miss out,” the Independent member explained. “If, for example, someone doesn’t find out for a week or ten days that a property is available, it’s unfair that they might miss out. In other cases, people might not be literate and have to rely on family or friends to make their application. Those people could miss out in this system too.” Councillor Ryan’s motion …

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Councillor Cooney receives assurances over Tulla social housing concerns

RESIDENTS of Tulla have been commended for highlighting issues of concern with a proposed social housing development which has just secured permission for a site at Doonaun on the outskirts of the village. The 25-home development, represents an investment of around €6 million, and was approved at this month’s meeting of Clare County Council. The proposals were the subject of 17 local objections – one of which included a petition signed by 45 local residents. Speaking to The Champion, Councillor Joe Cooney paid tribute to the efforts of the residents to work with elected representatives on identifying issues and said he believed these had now been addressed. “I am aware that residents had concerns and I met with them to hear their views,” Councillor Cooney said. “I would like to compliment residents on making their views known so that we, as local representatives, could refer these back to the local authority and have them addressed.” Among the issues raised was …

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Green light for Tulla social housing development

A CONTROVERSIAL social housing development for Tulla is to proceed, after the approval of a Part 8 planning application at this month’s meeting of Clare County Council. The scheme will see 22 homes built at a site in Doonaun in a mix of apartments and houses. The green light was given despite 17 local objections – one of which included a petition signed by 45 local residents – and the decision of Councillor Pat Hayes to vote against the application, when it came before local authority members. The scheme was the subject of some controversy earlier this year when a number of residents sought what is known a ‘screening determination’ from An Bord Pleanála, insisting that the local authority should have submitted a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with the plans. Other residents made submissions directly to the council citing concerns over flooding, the capacity of water services, infringement of privacy and noise disturbance that might be created because of …

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‘It’s Hard To Look At Buildings Lying Idle When People Need Homes’

IT IS A bright and chilly Friday morning in Tulla and there’s a buzz of activity about the place as locals stock up on the shopping and catch up on the news ahead of the weekend. “Ideally, we’d love to see this level of activity every day of the week,” says Councillor Pat Hayes who is taking The Clare Champion on a short walking tour of following the news that over 40 vacant premises have been identified in the area. While the heart of Tulla is beating strongly, as we make our way down Lower Main Street, the evidence of a report compiled by Clare County Council from Geo Directory statistics becomes more apparent. “We are coming to an area where there would have been busy pubs and shops, as well as a cinema,” Cllr Hayes explains. “But, you know life has changed and times have changed. Still it is hard to be looking at buildings lying idle and empty …

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