This article is from page 12 of the 2006-04-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A NEW policy has lessened the threat of council tenants being evicted from their homes.
The document aims to assist tenants and tenant purchasers, who may find paying rent difficult to maintain.
It was one of three policies launched last Friday in Ennis.
The second policy focuses on combating anti-social behaviour in housing estates. Its objective is to reduce the number of anti-social complaints and to initiate a prompt response to them.
The third policy aims to stamp out illegal dumping in local authority housing estates.
This is based on a number of principles, including the creation of partnerships with residents associations, community and environmental groups.
Chairman of the Housing and Social Policy Strategic Policy Committee, Councillor Joe Arkins (FG), said under the initiative, residents would be provided with a better level of support.
Resident participation in estate management should also become much greater, he said.
“There are 24 residents associations established throughout the county in council estates. We are aware that the needs of the residents vary significantly, having regard to the demographic size of the estates,” he said.
“The councils are committed to ensuring that peaceful occupation of each tenant will prevail, in all estates. There is only one acceptable level of anti-social behaviour and that is zero . . . zero tolerance,” said Cllr Arkins.
Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn, Ennis, said the opportunity was one to be proud of.
“Certain members of the population engage in crime, in drugs and in violence, which impact on the community,” he said.
The appointment of a Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) in Clare late last year has doubled the number of staff dealing with young offenders, while further steps were been taken, he said.
“Kilrush and Newport (Tipperary, which is in the Clare Garda Division) are working with local authorities to develop JLO programmes, similar to that in Ennis, which has proved very successful,” said Chief Supt Quinn.
Tim Ryan, who represented the Health Services Executive at the launch, said multi-agency cooperation could lead to huge successes.
“This is an example of what joinedup thinking can achieve,” he said.
“One of the most serious impact on any family is financial stress,” he said, referring to the policy document on rent/tenant purchase.
The document was a tribute to those behind it, but the real challenge lay in converting theory into reality and achieving on-the-ground success, he said.