Month: April 2006

A NUMBER of business owners in the Shannon Town Centre are making a very public protest in an effort, they say, to have their voices heard by the management of SkyCourt and Clare County Council.

A large banner with the words “What has happened to Shannon Town Centre” was unfurled across the Supermacs building at the SkyCourt Centre last Thursday.

The banner was put in place by the Supermacs management with the support of a number of neighbouring businesses at the centre.

“The banner went up on Thursday and it will stay up until the powers that be tell us to take it down,” said David Nevin, the franchise holder for Supermacs in Shannon.

“It is a last-gasp effort on our part to ask the developers and Clare County Council to take a look at the planning situation in Shannon.”

A number of disagreements have emerged in recent months between a group of businesses and the management at the centre – the most notable being the parking situation at the centre. The businesses are worried that the barriers entering the parking lot are causing a disruption for customers and encouraging people to shop elsewhere.

“We are all losing revenue because of this. I’d say it could be as much as a 15 to 20 per cent drop across the board,” said Mr Nevin.

“I have spoken to a lot of tourists who have managed to find their way into the centre, and they have all asked why it is so difficult to find your way inside.

“A lot of people have stopped coming to the Shannon Town Centre and are choosing to go to other places where the parking is free and there are no long queues to get in and out at barriers.”

According to Mr Nevin, the group have met with the management of the town centre on a number of occasions but have had little satisfaction.

“We had a meeting with the management of the town centre before Christmas about removing the barriers and they said that if they were to remove them it would confuse the people,” said Mr Nevin.

“They are treating us like a bunch of culchies. They think we need to treat the place like a land-locked fortress.”

The Clare People attempted to contact the management of SkyCourt, but no response was forthcoming at the time of going to print.

LAHINCH Golf Club are to invite new members to join, against a backdrop of accounts showing the club recorded a modest operating loss last year.

In his report to members, Captain of the Men’s club, Denis Creedon, said that moves had been made to open up membership.

Describing it as a “thorny issue”, Mr Creedon said that a sensible scheme had been supported by the club’s board of management and council to open up membership, in a limited way, over the next year or two.

Members attending the club’s annual general meeting last Friday were told that an operating loss of €42,767 was recorded, in contrast to the €139,782 operating profit of 2004.

The loss is being attributed to the €177,930 spent on upkeeping its links golf course last year. In 2004, the maintenance bill came to €139,925.

The golf club is one of the top visitor destinations in Clare and is vital to the north Clare economy and, in particular, to Lahinch.

Last year, the total number of visitors to the course was 19,146, compared to the 19,786 in 2004.

The golf club also encountered added catering costs, where it spent €47,353 in 2005.

This was almost triple the €19,309 spent on the same item in 2004.

Green fee income was slightly down on 2004. Last year, €1.515 million was generated, compared to €1.534 million the previous year.

The accounts also show that, last year, the golf club made no contribution to Lahinch Seaworld, whereas in 2004, it provided €15,000.

Total income stood at €2,630,327, which was down slightly on the 2004 income of €2,665,724. There was a slight increase in expenditure with €2.673 million in 2005 against the €2.525 million spent in 2004

However, the overall health of the golf club’s finances remain very good. The operating loss was wiped out by €55,000 in income from “overseas life membership”. The golf club has accumulated income of €4.509 million. The current membership stands at 2,187, which is a slight increase on the 2,142 members in 2004. The golf club is budgeted in 2006 to return to an operating surplus of €103,357, through increasing income by €200,000 in green fees.

But bar gross profit is anticipated to drop from €128,434 last year to €18,088 next year.

A REPORT on the inquiry into the resignation of the most senior member of the county’s Vocational Educational Committee has been sent to the Department of Education and forwarded to the VEC.

Former CEO of the Clare VEC, Padraigín Úi Riordáin, informed the educational committee at its July 2004 meeting of her “involuntary resignation” from September 24 of the same year.

Her shock departure came just over two years after she took up the post.

An inquiry into the performance of Clare VEC and how it related to the CEO’s resignation was completed and the resulting report forwarded to all interested bodies last week.

At the July 2004 meeting, Ms Úi Riordáin received the support of the majority of VEC staff and members of the committee. At the time, the former CEO declined to elaborate any further on the precise reason for her unexpected departure. However, she admitted that she had taken legal action as a result of the resignation, and requested that the Minister for Education and Science establish an inquiry.

She later took up a new post as principal of a second-level college in County Cork. Chairperson of the Clare VEC committee, Clare County Councillor, Tommy Brennan (Ind) said that the inquiry was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational Education Acts.

“The inquiry officer had full statutory powers to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence. The Minister or County Clare Vocational Education Committee has no power under the Vocational Education Acts to interfere with, or influence, the inquiry process.

“The statutory function to inquire into matters contained in the relevant terms of reference, rests solely with the inquiry officer,” he added.

“Any attempt by the Minister or the VEC Committee to assume a function in this regard would clearly be ultra vires. Therefore, the report prepared by the inquiry officer on foot of the inquiry cannot be re-examined or amended by County Clare VEC.”

While the Department of Education and Science has circulated copies of the report to those persons affected, it has also stated that “no further publication is anticipated or proposed”.

It was considered by members of County Clare VEC at a Special Meeting of the Committee held on Thursday last.

A SERIES of public meetings to ease concerns over the application process for third level grants will take place in May.

The meetings are being organised by Clare VEC to advise students and parents on how to proceed with applying for a third level grant.

The application process doesn’t begin until late summer, but Clare VEC hope that by holding the sessions people will be better prepared.

Clare VEC handles over 700 applications each year for third level grants for institutes of technology and students who have earned VEC scholarships. George O’Callaghan, CEO with Clare VEC, explained that many people experienced difficulties in the past, which led to payments been delayed.

“We hope that with these sessions, we will be able to answer people’s queries before the process begins in late August. It will take some of the fear out of it and that unknown factor.

“There has been some issues over the correct documentation with regards to passports and P60’s, so we are hoping that we will be able to clear that up. If the application is delayed, then payments will be delayed”.

The meetings will take place in Killaloe Community College, on May 2; Scoil Muire Ennistymon, on May 8; Kilrush Community School on May 15 and Ennis Community College on May 10.

The sessions are open to parents of Leaving Cert students and other adults, or mature students, who will be applying for maintenance grants. They will attended on the night by Mr O’Callaghan and VEC staff members.

A THIRD level college could be on the cards for Ennis after Clare County Council said it was pushing ahead with plans for a facility.

The council announced that serious consideration was been given to the proposal and that funding was currently been sought for the appointment of a full time project manager for the proposed facility.

A submission has been sent to the Department of Education and Science while Clare VEC are also said to be exploring the possibility

The motion for a third level institution was put forward by Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab) at last Monday’s resumed March meeting of Clare County Council.

In response, the council stated that the provision of additional facilities for further and higher education was a priority in the County Development Board Strategy.

Speaking yesterday, Cllr Fitzgerald said a third level facility was essential for an expanding town like Ennis and that it would have a major positive impact on the town’s long term growth.

“I feel Ennis needs a third level college and it would have a major impact on the town. It would be hugely beneficial for Ennis and the county. The council are looking at it and so are the VEC.”

A third level institution was first mooted for Ennis in 2004. The grounds of the Our Lady’s Hospital were proposed as a location for a college and an information age technology park.

More than 314 tonnes of waste, described by the UN as the most polluting waste in the waste stream, has been collected for recycling in Clare, in less than seven months under the WEEE scheme.

An average of 6.3 tonnes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment was collected at each of six collection points.

The majority of people preferred to return their old electrical goods to the retailers rather than the four civic collection points in the county.

Inagh landfill received 97.49 tonnes of WEEE from August to February inclusive.

Ennis recycling centre collected 82.02 tonnes, Lisdeen Civic Amenity, Centre 14.87 tonnes, and Scariff Civic Amenity Site,14.23 tonnes.

The majority of WEE goods were collected in Clare during February, when 72.94 tonnes were deposited at civic sites and retailers in the county.

Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, said that the equivalent to an annual collection rate of 6.7Kg per person, had been deposited.

The EU target is to reach 4Kg per person by 2008.

THE CUT that retailers get from the Government-imposed charge on new electrical goods goes nowhere near covering the cost of disposing of the old ones, an Ennis electrical retailer has said.

Paul Flynn of Ennis Electrical, and a member of the board of Expert Ireland, says that the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) scheme is not covering the work and expense involved for the business people who have to administer it.

“We get just 10 per cent of the charge and the Government gets the rest. So if the charge is €20, the retailer gets €2. For that, we have to store old electrical items and we have to take on double the work in delivering. “When the delivery people drop off a new appliance they have to take away the old ones, which can be in a filthy state, and put them in the van with other new appliances for delivery. It looks terrible and some of the things we’re asked to collect are a health hazard,” he said.

Minister Dick Roche has proclaimed the scheme a massive success, on the basis of figures for the first six months of operation.

According to a department statement, more than 14,500 tonnes has been collected for recycling nationally in the period from August 13 last to February this year.

Included in this 14,500 tonnes is more than 11,000 tonnes of fridges and freezers and more than 1,000 TVs.

The statement continued: “This is the equivalent to an annual collection rate of 6.7kg per person. Our EU target is to reach 4kg per person by 2008. This is waste that the UN has described as the most polluting waste in the waste stream.”

Since the WEEE came into force, Ennis Electrical has been taking in up to 60 old appliances each week.

To make matters more complicated, there are five different categories into which old electrical goods have to be sorted.

Mr Flynn says that he is “lucky in the sense that I have a bit of space to store these goods. I never envisaged having to make room for this when I started in my premises. Smaller retailers are in a terrible fix because they don’t have the space,” he said.

“Minister Dick Roche may be happy that this scheme is a success but we are the people on the ground having to deal with the problems and do all the work,” he added.

A “TECHNICAL HITCH” has put in doubt plans by Clare’s newest Steiner School to secure official Department of Education recognition in time for the opening of the next school year in September.

It may jeopardise the school’s entitlement to Government funding.

The department has informed the Mol an Óige primary school in Ennistymon that their application is not being considered by the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC), because the school changed patrons during the school year.

The Limerick School Project withdrew and in its place, the County Clare Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) stepped in.

A spokeswoman for the school this week described the delay as a “technical hitch”.

“All of us are frustrated with the situation and we are awaiting clarification from the Department and we are hoping that they will change their minds,” VEC Chief Executive, George O’ Callaghan told The Clare People.

“We are forever hopeful and haven’t given up the fight. The fact there was so many in favour of the school and so few against is very encouraging.”

Mol an Óige School was only started last September by a group of parents. The school is run on a voluntary capacity and follows the new primary school curriculum, using Steiner methods. As part of the public consultation phase for the school’s application for funding, a department spokeswoman confirmed that 21 responses were made in favour of the school with two against.

At Clare County Council’s April meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed a motion to support the school in its fight to secure recognition.

In a letter to TDs, Senators and councillors, the school said that if they were not considered by the advisory committee, they could not get Government funding.

“This is a huge burden on all parents involved, as to date we have been relying on all staff working voluntarily (including a qualified primary school teacher with 18 years experience) and constant fund-raising for all other running costs,” the letter states.

“We are not fully sure why the department are hesitant about giving Mol An Óige School approval that this is the first time the VEC has applied as a patron body for a primary school. If this is the case we suggest that they let Clare VEC’s involvement be a pilot project.”

CLARE County Council has given the go-ahead for ambitious plans to transform the old homestead of GAA founder father Michael Cusack into a visitor attraction.

Planning permission has been granted for a project spearheaded by the Michael Cusack Development Company to develop an interpretative centre-type facility in Carron.

It is hoped that the project, for which funding has been received from the GAA, will be completed in time for the centenary of Michael Cusack’s death, which occurred on December 6, 1906.

The Michael Cusack Development Company originally came together in December 2003 to determine the potential to develop a cultural heritage project, commemorating one of the architects of modern Ireland.

The company consists of a broad based group having strong commercial, tourism, educational and cultural backgrounds, representing the respective backgrounds of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Clare County Council, County Clare VEC, Michael Cusack’s GAA Club, Comhar Conradh na Bóirne and community leaders.

“Our key objectives are to commemorate and celebrate a dynamic force in Irish society, who brought the GAA into existence and ensure a project that is distinct, sustainable and viable,” a spokesperson for the Michael Cusack Development Company told The Clare People .

“At the heart of the Michael Cusack centenary project will lay a unique and stunning new visitor attraction that will celebrate the life and legacy of this extraordinary man, whose vision, passion and ability laid the foundation for modern Ireland,” the spokesperson added.

Phase one will see the renovation of the homestead, and ancillary works to include ground, road and wall repairs, landscaping, and the development of the Michael Cusack Park of Gaelic Sports.

Phase two will see the building of a new structure on-site, incorporating the functions of an exhibition centre, café, shop, community resource and research facilities. The inclusion of an information access point at the Cusack Schoolhouse will also be developed.

“From spring 2007, the Cusack Centre and Homestead will host an exhibition, research and archival facility, coaching development and a restoration of the historic Cusack homestead,” the Michael Cusack Development Company spokesperson revealed.

“Cusack’s legacy has left us the living gift of the Irish national games of hurling, football and handball for the enjoyment of all peoples.

“His memory will be held in perpetual honour here in his native home of Carron, where it will be cherished and displayed for generations to come,” the spokesperson added.

TOURISTs and locals face a long summer of gridlock if they want to view the county’s most famous natural tourism asset, the Cliffs of Moher. This is the view being expressed by many who have witnessed the major traffic congestion that took place at the site over the Bank Holiday weekend.

There were a number of reports of 50-minute tailbacks in both directions during peak times on Bank Holiday Sunday, with bus tour operators and private vehicles having trouble entering and exiting the temporary car park facilities.

The tailbacks were as a result of people parking cars on both sides of the narrow road which services the Cliffs, as well as an amount of congestion in the car park itself.

“Tourists were complaining to everyone they could find,” said local trader Gerry Cahill, who is embroiled in a long-standing argument with Clare County Council over his right to trade at the Cliffs.

“There was a queue both in and out of the car park, with people being held up by as much as 50 minutes at times.”

The problem was exacerbated by the removal of the double yellow lines along the road side last week, which prevented Gardaí from removing cars parked on either side of the road.

“This is an ongoing problem and, if something isn’t done, it will be like this all summer long,” continued Mr Cahill.

“This is supposed to be a car park and not a building site, and I don’t understand why they can’t sort it out.”

It is believed that the recent negative publicity concerning the cost of parking and admission to the new interpretative centre at the Cliffs is encouraging people to park on the narrow road and avoid paying.

“People just don’t want to have to pay high prices for parking at the Cliffs – especially Irish people who know that there is a public right of way,” continued Mr Cahill.

“There has been a lot of bad press about price hikes at the Cliffs and this is people starting to react to it.

“Gradually, Clare County Council are trying to erode the public’s right of way to the Cliffs.

“You could drive a car up there one time and now it is just a multinational mess of a place.”

Responding to these alligations Ger Dollard, Director of Services at Clare County Council said that extra staff had been put in place to deal with the problem on Monday.

“Easter Sunday is as busy as any day in August and there was a difficulty with people parking on the verge,” commented Mr Dollard. “We put on additional staff in the car park and the situation was much inproved on Monday.”