This article is from page 4 of the 2014-10-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A GROUP of home owners in West Clare say they have received a Government guarantee that permanent coastal protections will be put in place to prevent the damage done to their homes during last winter’s storms from happening again.
Residents of Cloughnainchy, Quilty, met with Minister of State at the Departments of Finance with Special Responsibility for the OPW, Simon Harris on Wednesday who said the € 200,000 coastal erosion protection feasibility study being carried out along the coast would not be put on a shelf to gather dust.
Spokesperson for the group Michael Neenan said the people were satisf ed with the meeting and very positive that the issue would be addressed.
Last month, after much pressure from local people, € 200,000 was approved for a feasibility study that is to consider the work required at Tromore West, an area along the coastline, which includes Cloughnainchy where the sea invaded 14 homes and swept away an acre of land out to the sea in January.
“We got a fantastic reception from the minister and his staff,” said Mr Neenan.
“I asked the minister if he would give the committee a guarantee that the study would not be shelved. It is pointless wasting € 200,000 on a feasibility study if they do not go through with the work,” he added.
The group from Quilty were assured that the report would be f n ished at the beginning of the year.
“The minister said he would then put a steering committee in place to take it a step further,” explained Mr Neenan. “We are conf dent funding will be received for permanent protection works. This is about protecting homes and families at Cloughnahincy.”
Meanwhile Clare County Council has carried out temporary works at the site in a bid to see the area through another winter.
As last January’s storm and high tides were the worst in living memory, Mr Neenan is now hopeful that permanent coastal protection will be in place before it happens again.
The Mayor of Clare, John Crowe (FG), led the delegation to Leinster House on Wednesday.
“It was all very positive as there was no party politics involved in this issue. All four Clare TDs were very supportive and present as was Senator Conway,” added Mr Neenan.