Thousands owed to playground firm

A COMPANY is waiting on payment of thousands of euro for the provision of play equipment at Inis Ealga, Tuesday’s meeting of Shannon Town Council heard.

A COMPANY is waiting on payment of thousands of euro for the provision of play equipment at Inis Ealga, Tuesday’s meeting of Shannon Town Council heard.
Councillor Gerry Flynn introduced a motion asking for “a report concerning the installation of play facilities at Inis Ealga and especially information around the provision by Go Play Ltd of play equipment”.
In a written reply, Mairéad Corbett of Clare County Council outlined how a grant of €83,333 was allocated for the playground in Inis Ealga under the Playground Development Grant scheme 2006-09.
“The Committee had employed Go Play Ltd to construct the playground and install play equipment at the site. Payment of the grant is arranged by the council directly to the playground committee subject to compliance with the conditions of the scheme. The committee in turn arranges payment to the suppliers of the play equipment. To date, the sum of €35,740 has been paid by the council to the committee, with the balance of €47,593 yet to be paid.
“The committee had disbanded but a new residents’ committee has recently been formed and it has now been agreed that a new playground committee will also be established. As soon as this committee is in place, a commitment made to comply with all of the conditions of the grant offer and the above responsibilities have been carried out, the council will be in a position to pay the balance of the grant funding provided. Staff from the housing section will be meeting with the new residents’ group in the coming weeks and will assist the residents with regard to their responsibilities under the Playground Development Grant Scheme.”
Councillor Flynn said over €26,000 is owed to the company. He said it would be “awful if the council were some bit responsible for them not being able to keep their doors open”.
Town manager Bernadette Kinsella said under the terms of the Playground Grant Scheme the council was confined to providing assistance to committees or groups. She said the council would not take over direct payments but would work to get a Committee re-established and payment to be made.