This article is from page 12 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
CLARE County Council has this week revealed how it plans to spend an €18.1 million windfall from the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Noel Ahern.
The funding for housing capital programmes will be divided into three different sections.
The largest sum of €15m has been allocated for the local authority’s housing construction or acquisition programme, including extensions to local authority houses.
Under the scheme, work will commence on eight housing schemes in the county, which will yield a total of 114 additional social housing units in 2006.
These schemes will be constructed in Corofin (24), Killaloe Phase II (16), Kildysart Phase II (10), Lisdoonvarna (3), Shannon (8), Sixmilebridge (19), Miltown Malbay (20), Scarriff (14).
Currently 49 units are under construction, including schemes in Kildysart (14), Killaloe (8), Broadford (2), Ballyvaughan (3) and Clarecastle (22).
Units completed to date in 2006 include 12 social housing units at Kilkishen and 26 in Kilkee.
In addition to the €15 million, €600,000 will be spent on works under the Remedial Works Scheme to Local Authority Housing Estates. In 2006 it is anticipated that work will also commence on a Remedial Works Scheme at the Flat Complex at Tradaree Court, Shannon.
A further €2.5m of the Government funding will go towards Group Housing Schemes for Travellers.
The Traveller Accommodation Programme (2004 – 2008), adopted by Clare County Council in April 2005, provides for the accommodation of indigenous travellers in Clare with the provision of 49 group-housing units and 44 Standard Local Authority housing units.
In 2006, the council will be progressing its proposal to provide group homes at Knockanean, Tulla Road, Ennis and Laghcloon, Liscannor.
In addition, it is anticipated that two new housing units will be provided at Ashline, Ennis.
“The council’s objective has always been to promote social inclusion and to facilitate appropriate standards of housing provision through the provision of housing that is sustainable, affordable, energy efficient, architecturally appropriate, uses best available construction techniques and is adaptable to changing needs over it’s lifetime,” said Josephine Cotter Coughlan, the council’s Director of Service.