This article is from page 9 of the 2006-10-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
IT’S crunch time for the Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis this Thursday as the HSE’s Capital Steering Group meet to discuss the cost benefit analysis of the hospital’s development project.
The analysis has been sent to the HSE group for its meeting and a decision is expected almost immediately. PRIMARY school students across Clare are set to increase their knowledge of the county’s natural environment thanks to a new educational tool developed by the Clare Biodiversity Group.
An interactive CD-ROM titled ‘Exploring the Biodiversity of County Clare’ was officially launched in Ennis last Friday by Clare senior hurler Tony Carmody. The CD provides information on the county’s biodiversity and will act as a tool for primary school teachers to introduce the natural environment and a practical element to lessons.
Biodiversity is the variety of all plants and animals and their natural habitats and the CD-ROM features detailed information and photographs of some of the native mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, insects and plants found in Clare.
Explaining the need to develop the CD-ROM, Elaine Keegan, Biodiversity Officer with Clare County Council said the county has a rich variety of different animals and plants as well as some of the best examples of habitats in Europe but it was rapidly disappearing with animals and plants becoming extinct and habitats being damaged. It was imperative then that the younger schoolchildren should learn how to protect their surrounding natural environment.
‘Exploring the Biodiversity of
The HSE called for the analysis last August after it emerged that the first phase of the project, which was allocated €20.8 million, would cost in excess of €30 million.
The increase in cost was a result of changes to hygiene and other requirements in hospitals.
It is believed that the new costings sent to the HSE in Dublin include all necessary changes and are within the € 20.8 million budget. County Clare’ has been produced by Ms Keegan and Clare Heritage Officer Congella McGuire, with the imput of a number of other organisations and individuals who provided material for the project. The CD-ROM is linked to the Science and Geography curricula as both include a strong element of environmental awareness.
According to Elaine Keegan, “The study of plants and animals and their habitats through this CD incorporates basic literacy, numeric and computer skills and also provides a practical element to lessons. The CD is most suitable for 3rd-6th classes in primary schools. However, the local natural environment is also a strand
It is now hoped that the development, which was initially expected to go to planning last Summer, will get the seal of approval and be with Clare County Council in weeks.
Meanwhile, the Ennis General Hospital is awaiting formal written approval from the HSE before it orders a Computer Axial Tomography (CAT) scanner.
The expected confirmation must also include approval of funding for unit in younger classes, and the photographs and information could be a teacher’s resource for those classes. A copy of ‘Exploring the biodiversity of County Clare’ will now be sent to all primary schools in County Clare.”
Further information can be had from Elaine Keegan on ekeegan@clareccoco.ie or 0656846456. staffing and other costs estimated at €750,000 per annum.
Chairman of the Hospital Development Committee Peadar McNamara said that while the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust had already provided the capital funding for the CAT scan, commitment had to be given to the staffing of the service.
A new CAT scan has been ordered for the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, which is currently responsible for patients in Ennis that require the diagnostic service.
The current scanner, which has broken down 16 times in 10 months, was condemned at this month’s meeting of the HSE West Forum Hospital’s Committee. Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said that the councillors present at the meeting were told the scanner was breaking down due to pressure of use and need of repair.