Category: News

FIRST it stood at 9.43 per cent among general staff and was held up as the worst in Ireland – now it’s worse again as the percentage stands at 12 per cent among key frontline nursing staff.

These are the absenteeism rates at Ennis General Hospital, which have come under sharp focus again in the last week following the publication of the Health Services Executive ‘Heathstat Report’ for September.

“The issue is receiving maximum attention,” a HSE statement released to the The Clare People this Monday says. “The assistance of the Human Resources department has now been sought to assist the hospital in any additional actions required,” it adds.

According to the Healthstat figures, absenteeism rates among its 133 nurses during September were running at 12 per cent, a figure that is 8.5 per cent ahead of the target national absenteeism rate of 3.5 per cent.

These alarming figures come only three months after Minister for Health, James Reilly, pledged to put measures in place to tackle the problem at the hospital when it was revealed that absenteeism levels were running at 9.43 per cent, almost double the average for HSE hospitals around the country that stood at 4.85 per cent.

“We are putting in place a new initiative around this,” vowed Minister Reilly. “I’m not at liberty to say what it is just yet. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be able to announce it,” he added.

In September, it was revealed in Ennis that every day an average of 22 staff were missing from the hospital’s daily workforce of 238, a rate of absenteeism that impacts on the day-to-day operation of the facility, resulting in the HSE having to employ temporary outside staff to cover for sick workers.

And a breakdown of these figures has revealed that the rate of absenteeism is worst among general support staff when it’s running at a staggering 18 per cent.

Now the Healthstat figures show that, of Ennis General Hospital’s 133 nurses, 16 were absent from work on each day in the month of September.

“The hospital accepts that the absenteeism rate is high but all elements of the HSE’s Managing Attendance Policy are being carried out,” the HSE statement says. “These include referrals to occupational health, return-to-work interviews, certification of absences etc. While the hospital’s percentages appear high currently, the amount of ‘uncertified’ sick leave is very low.

“Where uncertified sick leave is low, the hospital is viewed to have achieved an improved performance in managing attendance as the majority of sick leave is certified by medical practitioners. A recent review by management shows that a number of people are absent with long-term serious illness,” the statement adds.

CONCERNS over the road network in the vicinity of a proposed wind farm in West Clare – which would be the biggest of its kind in the midwest if it gets the green light – have been raised.

A planning application has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála for the development of a 45-turbine win farm at Shragh, Doonbeg.

The application has been lodged by Clare Coastal Wind Power, which says it would create a huge tourism boost for the area. While Clare County Council planners say it would help to achieve the council’s target for renewables, they have expressed concerns in relation to the scale of the project.

The application is the largest ever lodged for a wind farm in the midwest and would have the capacity to provide energy to more than 70,000 homes.

The application did not go before the county council and instead was lodged with An Bord Pleanála. This was because the application was deemed to have met the criteria for a strategic infrastructure case and therefore should go before the Board.

The company behind the project has held an information meeting in Doonbeg which was attended by more than 100 people.

Its representatives have also met with local business and community groups.

At a meeting of Clare County Council yesterday, Councillor Oliver Garry (Fine Gael) said it was a “topical” issue in West Clare.

“Already in West Clare we have two wind farms. They are producing 32 mega watts and there is planning permission for another 100 mega watts of electricity. We have a target of 250 mega watts by 2020,” he said.

He asked what provisions are made for the local roads area and said that the network “seems pretty poor”.

County Manger Tom Coughlan said that the council cannot direct An Bord Pleanála to add conditions but can refer to conditions.

Fianna Fáil Councillor PJ Kelly said that while “beggars can’t be choosers”, they should be listened to and said that potential road damage should be considered.

Independent Councillor Christy Curtin asked, “Has there been experience of other such projects under this legislation? Has there been experience?”

Fine Gael Councillor Joe Arkins said, “A windfarm of this size is more suitable for an area that is zoned strategic. . . Should we not be making that point stronger in the submission?”

“There has to be a limit to the amount of wind turbines you see when you look out the front, the back and the two sides of your house,” he said.

Concerns raised by the planners and councillors will be included in the submission on the application to an Bord Pleanála.

RIVER levels in Ennis are being monitored twice a day in Ennis as authorities remain vigilant of flooding.

Records from Met Eireann show that the total accumulated rainfall recorded in County Clare from January 1 to November 30 stood at 872.2mm, more than the 845.1mm recorded during the entire of 2010.

In a statement, Clare County council says this December is also expected to see the mean rainfall total for the month being exceeded with further heavy rain forecast.

Ennis Town Manager Dollard said that river levels around Ennis are monitored twice a day and that the council would continue to monitor water levels throughout the winter period.

He stated, “Our experiences from severe flooding in Ennis, and East and North Clare in late 2009 have taught us that being prepared in advance is key to effectively managing flooding when it does occur.

As well as reviewing information contained on the council website, I would urge members of the public to visit www.flooding.ie to familiarise themselves with the range of actions that can be taken in advance of, during and after flooding events.”

Mr Dollard was speaking as Clare County Council launched an online advice and information guide to raise awareness of the importance of preparing for severe weather during winter.

The ‘Be Winter-Ready’ guide has been published on the council website, www.clarecoco.ie.

Work on flood prevention measures is currently underway at a number of locations around Ennis. Pipeline work has been completed on the Lough Girroga Flood Relief Scheme while additional site investigation works are due to start at Fioruisce on the Gort Road.

According to the council, the Watery Road/Elm Park Flood relief scheme will be placed on e-tenders. A temporary pumping system for the storm drain has been put in place at the Watery Road to cater for high river levels until permanent works are in place.

The council says it is monitoring the Fergus and Claureen river lev- els.

The planning process for the St Flannans, Toberteascain – Ballybeg Lake flood relief works has been delayed due to a requirement to carry out specialised works.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has said that the Government remains committed to the construction of phase two of the Ennis Main Drainage Scheme.

Last week it was announced that the Office of Public Works (OPW) had terminated the tendering process with immediate effect.

Deputy Breen stated that Minster for State with responsibility for the OPW, Brian Hayes, is committed to funding the € 12.8m scheme, as previously outlined in the 2012 capital works programme.

ANGLING tourism can only be properly kick-started in Clare if the Inland Fisheries Board spearheads an anti-poaching campaign in the county’s rivers and lakes that have been decimated of its fish stocks.

The December meeting of Clare County Council heard councillors from all parties back a motion from West Clare councillor Gabriel Keating (FG) calling on the Inland Fisheries Board to act.

“I have been told that Doonbeg River will not open until there is an increase in Salmon stocks,” said Cllr Keating.

He continued, “But the problem with the river has always been poaching. While you have anglers on the river, the opportunities for poaching are restricted. If anglers are not there, it is open season for poachers,” he added.

“Before the closure, anglers and bailiffs were on the same side of the fence. But now bailiffs are falling foul of anglers as they are threatening on-the-spot fines on any anglers they catch fishing for salmon.

“This naturally angers anglers as they feel there are doing far less damage than what is being done on a large scale by poachers.

“The ideal situation would be that anglers and bailiffs would work together,” he added.

COMMUNICATION from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to the presence of unsavoury odours in the Smithstown area of Shannon has been criticised.

In a letter to the Shannon Town Clerk, Liam O’Connor, the EPA stated that it has been working with Clare County Council in relation to the issue. It stated that complaints were received in August and September and that several site and odour surveys were carried out in Smithstown and its environs.

“It is apparent that the odours in the Shannon town area are from multiple sources. All possible sources of odours at EPA licensed facilities have been and continue to be investigated and corrective and preventative actions implemented when necessary,” stated the EPA. “Other possible odour sources continue to be investigated by Clare County Council. The agency will continue to work with its licensees in Shannon to ensure they are not the cause of offsite nuisance odours,” it added, in its letter.

However, members of Shannon Town Council have expressed concern with the letter and have called for a meeting with the EPA. “That’s a disgraceful letter,” said Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn, at a meeting of the council last Tuesday. “I think it is high time that we call the EPA out of the tall grass. . . I propose we summon a representative of the EPA to a meeting to explain themselves,” he said.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) said, “Reports went in. They did monitoring. We haven’t been told the outcome. The problem is they are self-monitoring,” she added. “They judge their performance from going into court and getting a conviction,” she said, adding that it takes a few years for this process to conclude. “It is a certain form of contempt for the public,” she said.

Fine Gael Councillor Seán McLoughlin said, “We want results, not that they got complaints. What was the actual result of the monitoring and what action are they going to take now?” he asked.

Sinn Féin Councillor Cathy McCafferty said, “It is a real concern for everyone. Whatever way the wind blows, the smell comes. We want to know what means and methods they are going to use to fix it.”

Labour Councillor Greg Duff said, “They have to have a more independent way of looking at things.” He said that “a high number of people” in Shannon get cancer which he said is down to a “combination of factors”. He said that real answers must be provided in relation to the odour issue.

Councillor Tony McMahon (Labour) said the odour issue has a significant impact on the “health of the community”. Fine Gael Councillor Vincent Coleman said that the letter “doesn’t relay new information. It doesn’t give solutions”. He said that people are “very nervous” in relation to the odour issue. “They don’t know what they are inhaling,” he said.

THE backers of a proposed fivehectare retail development on the outskirts of Ennis say it will have a “limited” impact on existing businesses in Ennis.

Michael Lynch Ltd are seeking planning permission for a large development on the Clare Road/Tobertascain, which it is claimed will create 300 construction jobs.

A retail impact assessment prepared by DPP on behalf of Michael lynch Ltd states that the projected retail turnover for the proposal is estimated to be of the order of € 46.4m.

It states, “In terms of convenience retail floorspace, it is likely that the proposed development will compete with existing Tesco and Aldi, both on Francis Street; Dunnes Stores on O’Connell Street; and Lidl which is located on the Gort Road.”

The report adds “There may be a small amount of diversion from other convenience outlets in the Ennis area but this would be limited. Aside from the big-name operators, most other existing provision is smallscale, local walk-in trade.”

The report was prepared as part of a response to a further information request from Ennis Town Council.

It states that the “proposed development at the Limerick Road, Ennis, consists of an urban development including a mix of retail and office use. The development represents one district centre format of which none currently exists in Ennis despite its status as; hub town….county town for Clare and a recognised need for additional floor space in Ennis in the Mid West Retail Strategy”.

Of the potential impact on town centre businesses, the authors state, “The assessment of retail impact or cumulative retail impact of the proposed development on Ennis Town Centre found that, whilst there would be a small diversion of trade to the proposed foodstore, this would be cushioned by capacity in the retail market and the retention of both Dunnes and Tesco in the town centre and limited competition with the higher-end comparison and specialist retail offer in Ennis town centre.”

The report, continues, “If permitted, the proposed development will contribute to the retail offer of the town and stem retail expenditure leakage to other urban centres.”

The report outlines the retail characteristics of the proposed development. It states that the proposal provides for a total gross retail floorspace of 7,834sqm; the hypermarket provides 3,000sqm net convenience floorspace and 2,411 sqm net comparison floorspace. The ancillary units provide for 481sqm gross retail floorspace.

The report continues, “It is envisaged that the majority of these (retail units and kiosks) would be used for services, restaurants and café and community uses as envisaged by the development plan and the RPG in light of the proposal’s district centre format. For the purposes of calculating retail impact, therefore, we are mainly concerned with the net retail figures for the proposed foodstore.

“However, in the interest of robustness, we estimate that approximately half of the additional floorspace (totaling 520m2) will be given over to small convenience and / or comparison uses and have factored in 130m2 space each to account for these potential occupiers.”

Citing figures from the 2010 retail strategy for the mid-west region, the report states, “The figures would sug- gest that there remains substantial capacity for another large foodstore in town in addition to this proposal and that the residual comparison would be more than sufficient to cater for further substantial higher order comparison floorspace in or close to the town centre on sites such as PS1.

“These results are not surprising when one considers the relative lack of growth in the town’s retail offer over the past 10 years and indeed the lack of any substantive pipeline development as illustrated by the MidWest Retail Strategy Review 2009.”

The authors state that they have received correspondence from Tesco Ireland that confirmed their intention to remain in the Ennis Shopping Centre.

“The letter also points out their own business view of much greater potential in the existing retail market space.”

EAST Clare is reeling from the shock announcement that Finsa Forest Products, the area’s main employer for over 50 years, is to close its doors, with the last remaining employees at the chipboard factory in Scariff being laid off before Christmas. The last remaining 20 jobs left at the landmark industrial plant are to go, as the factory that has been part and parcel of East Clare life since the late 1950s finally shuts its doors . The closure has been described as a hammer-blow to the region, with Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes, leading the criticism of a decision that he has labelled as “a disaster for the region that what was once East Clare’s biggest employer is now gone. For the people who face losing their jobs before Christmas, it is very hard, but it is also hard for the entire region because it shows up that East Clare is now an unemployment blackspot,” added Mayor Hayes. The closure of what was once Scariff’s flagship employer comes less than a year after the most recent round of cutbacks at the factory saw 52 people laid off in early January. As recently as 2009, there were 160 people employed at the plant, while at peak production it had 300 workers and was responsible directly for another 200 jobs. The development of the chipboard factory had its genesis at the inaugural meeting of the Scariff Development Association in 1957 when Nenagh-based industrialist Jeremiah O’Driscoll revealed that German industrial firm Aicher Chipboard wanted to expand into Ireland. A site in Scariff was subsequently selected and thanks to a government grant of £186,000 and a local contribution of £40,000, the factory costing £486,000 was built. The first sod on the factory was turned 53 years ago while Chipboard Ltd, Scariff went into full production on December 17, 1959 – 52 years ago this coming Saturday.

BUSINESS groups are calling for people to make submissions on a proposed retail development on the Clare Road.

Ennis Town Council has re-advertised changes to a planning application from Michael Lynch Ltd who are seeking permission to develop a new district centre on the outskirts of Ennis. The developers have submitted a number of reports to the council in response to a request for further information on the proposed development.

Businesses in Ennis have previously outlined their opposition to the proposal saying it would have a damaging effect on retail activity in the town centre and lead to the creation of “ghost” shopping units.

A statement from Ennis Chamber explained, “Members of Ennis Chamber, Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Street Associations met again recently to discuss the Further Information received by Ennis Town Council in relation to the proposed development on the Clare Road in Ennis”.

“Ennis Town Council has deemed the Further Information received by the developers as significant enough for a re-advertisement of the changes to the Planning Application. Therefore anyone is entitled to make a submission to Ennis Town Council in relation to the proposed development”.

Ennis Chamber, Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Street Association will be making additional submissions to the planning process prior to the closing date for receipt of submissions, which is Friday December 16.

The spokesperson added, “The organisations are encouraging anyone with an interest in this significant proposed development for Ennis to make their views known through the planning process by making a submission to Ennis Town Council by the closing date of Friday next”.

HOPES that the country’s new President Michael D Higgins will visit his native Newmarket-on-Fergus this week have been dashed. Mr Higgins has been invited to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of Ballycar National School on Thursday, but has informed the school management that he is unable to attend.

While the school has been in existence since before 1824, the existing building was built 50 years ago. President Higgins, who is originally from Ballycar, attended a previous building of the school.

School principal Noel Murphy told The Clare People that there are plans in place to invite the past pupil to visit Ballycar at a later stage. “He was invited but we got a letter back wishing us success with the event but he has a huge amount of engagements so soon after his inauguration. We didn’t think he would be able to make it at such short notice,” said Mr Murphy. “There wasn’t much time. What we hope will happen in the future is to join up with community groups in the area and ask him to visit,” he added. “We will plan it well in advance and invite other community groups,” said the principal. He said that staff and students in the school are eagerly anticipating the celebrations. “We are all very excited about it. Everybody is involved in the preparations,” said Mr Murphy.

“We are also celebrating the success of the school in developing our facilities to the up-to-the-minute standard resulting from recent major renovations and extension. As a result, we can offer our families the latest facilities. As a small school with four full-time teachers and two special needs assistants, we also give personal attention to the needs of all our families,” he added.

The evening will include the staging by pupils of a play written by sixth-class pupil Ailís Hankinson. There will also be songs, a cake and craft sale, an exhibition of photos and children’s projects and the launch of a book on the history of Ballycar School. The book, ‘Ballycar National School – A History of the School, Pupils and Teachers’ was compiled by local author Colm Liddy, whose children attend Ballycar.

The book is a full-colour, 44-page publication profiling the history of the school. It features many old photographs, including those of the President when he was in school. The book also contains profiles of all current pupils, stories of the fascinating lives of past pupils and an interview with President Higgins.

A STOCK of 35,000 sandbags is available to Clare County Council as the county braces itself for potential flooding. Heavy rainfall and increased river levels have heightened public anxiety over floods with the memory of the 2009 flood event still fresh in the minds of many homeowners and businesses.

In that instance, thousands of euros worth of damaged was caused and dozens of homes were evacuated as families saw their homes destroyed by rapidly rising floodwaters.

Clare County Council says the experience of 2009 has led to an improvement in the effectiveness of the implementation of contingency plans.

Yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council heard that there are people in rural parts of the county “that don’t sleep at night” because of a flood fears. The comment was made by Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) who said there is huge concern among people in Ruan over flash flooding.

Cllr John Crowe (FG), who tabled a motion on the Council’s plans for dealing with floods, said river levels around Sixmilebridge are “two foot” higher than they were in November 2009. He told the meeting that heavy floods are now a real concern. “The way the rain is falling we might not be too far away,” he said.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the council’s capacity to deal with emergency weather events had significantly improved since 2009. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen but we can plan,” he added.

In a report to councillors, Nora Kaye, acting Director of Services, Planning, Land Use and Transport, explained, “In total, the council has a stock of approximately 35,000 sandbags all of which are located strategically in the various area depots.

“The vast majority of these sandbags are stocked in a number of de- pots in the Ennis Area because of the continuing vulnerability of so many areas within Ennis Town and environs – notwithstanding the fact that some flood relief schemes are being planned or are under construction in relation to most of these areas.”

Ms Kaye continued, “Of the above total, approximately 8,000 sandbags are distributed across the various engineering areas outside Ennis. Approximately 3,000 bags in all are filled. Well over 2,000 tonnes of sand and other material is stocked strategically and more sandbags will be filled between now and Christmas.”

Ms Kaye said that 30 pumps are readily available at various locations throughout the county. She added, “Notwithstanding the fact that it is impossible to predict the characteristics or intensity of any particular flood event, the overall level of awareness, knowledge and response capacity in respect of such situations as improved significantly in recent years and this feeds in to out present contingency plans in a very strategic and significant manner.”