West Clare sewerage schemes in doubt

WEST Clare county councillors are fearful that sewerage schemes in Cooraclare, Labasheeda, Carrigaholt, Kilrush and Kilkee may not proceed due to a shortage of money.
Although tender documents have been completed for the Cooraclare Sewerage Scheme and the tender is ready to be advertised, it is totally dependent on funding being available from Clare County Council. Local authority funding will be matched approximately 50/50 by funding from the Department of the Environment. The Cooraclare scheme is the most advanced of those underway in West Clare but is still not guaranteed to be completed.
“If they can’t do it for Cooraclare, we can forget about the other schemes,” Councillor Patrick Keane said at Monday’s Kilrush Electoral Area meeting in the Vandeleur Walled Gardens.
The meeting heard that the estimated cost of the Cooraclare scheme will be €1.57m, while Councillor Bill Chambers said that €260,00 has already been spent on the scheme.
“Will Clare County Council be able to afford it? It’s all down to cash,” Councillor Keane said.
Clare County Council senior engineer Cyril Feeney concurred with Councillor Keane. “I think you’re right councillor. We will struggle to meet our contribution,” he said.
Councillor Keane added that he wanted county manager, Tom Coughlan to clarify if the Cooraclare scheme will be completed, adding that he was confident it would be.
“We need clarity forthwith from the county manager,” Councillor Christy Curtin stated.
At the January electoral area meeting in Labasheeda, village residents had their frustration at the absence of a public sewerage system compounded by news that the facility is not a priority for Clare County Council and is unlikely to be revisited for at least three years. They have been campaigning on the issue since 2001, although the absence of a sewerage system in the village is believed to have been a matter of concern as long as 50 years ago. However, Clare County Council say that the money needed from the Department of Environment is not forthcoming and that a sewerage system is unlikely to happen in the near future.
The meeting heard that although about €750,000 has been made available towards providing a sewerage system in the village, this figure may be revised downwards if a lower cost option is pursued. Clare County Council have to provide 40% of the funding but said that their current priorities lie elsewhere.