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THE Department of Education was urged not to squander taxpayers’ money on duplicating the provision of primary education in Ennistymon by granting recognition to the Mol an Oige school.

The board of management of the amalgamated St Fachnan’s and St At- tracta’s primary school in Kilfenora stated that “under no circumstances” would they support Mol an Oige’s at- tempt to gain recognition.

The submission opposing the Stein- er school stated that the combined number of roll in September 2001 was 82 while in September 2006, this had fallen to 62.

“We do not welcome the negative impact the recruitment drive of Mol an Oige may have on further deplet- ing our pupil numbers. At recent par- ent teacher meetings, local support was not evident for this proposed new school, however, there was evidence of confusion among some, arising from the promotion and advertising of the proposed new school.

“We consider that the educational, social, cultural and religious needs of primary schools are being adequate-

ly met by the five existing schools in Ennistymon parish and the eight primary schools within a seven mile radius of Ennistymon.

“Up to the year 2000, there were two primary schools in our par- ish, due to a decline in numbers in Inchovea School, the BOM success-

fully amalgamated with Kilfenora National School.

“North Clare and Ennistymon are not areas of rapidly expanding popu-

lation; in fact our parish which 1s sit- uated only four miles from Ennisty- mon is experiencing a noticeable decline in our student population and it would be far more beneficial to in- vest the money in upgrading and en- hancing facilities in the established primary schools serving the area.”

In a separate submission, Maura Clancy deputy principal of Kilfenora stated, “It is unacceptable to waste taxpayers’ money of the provision of a new school. There are schools in north Clare that lack basic facilities and accommodation and it would be far better to upgrade those schools.

“We are all aware of the lack of services, such as speech and lan- guage therapy, occupational therapy in our existing schools. Financial in- vestment in these areas would be far more beneficial and I sincerely hope that the proposed new school will not receive recognition.

THE future of Kilnaboy’s X-PO projects will be the main topic up for discussion this weekend when international artist Jay Koh visits north Clare. Koh is an expert in the possible interactions between art and society and will be assessing the impact that the Kilnaboy project has already had and what impact it could have in the future.

This Saturday and Sunday Koh will visit and evaluate the X-PO project, culminating in a public discussion on the future of the project at 2pm on Sunday.

“This the first of three evalua-

tive session that Jay will do for the project. He will be giving feedback to myself and to the community. On Saturday he will be available to the local people, to hear what they think of the project and how it is going. I won’t be part of that process at all. People will be totally free to give positive and negative feedback,’ said Deirdre O’ Mahoney, artist and man- ager of the X-PO.

“On Sunday then we will be con- cerned with getting the community involved in X-PO and the future of the project. It takes an awful lot of work to keep this place open and people will have to come on board if it is going to be sustainable.

“There is fantastic community spir- it in Kilnaboy. But we need to reach the people who don’t think they can get involved for one reason or anoth- er. Maybe they are shy or don’t feel that they have anything to offer – but everyone has something to offer.

Following the public talk, a new exhibition from Eileen Healy will be unveiled in the X-PO.

“The exhibition takes the form of videos and still photography piece. The photographs will be something that I think a lot of people will have interest in. It is three aerial photo- graphs, taken over a 40 year period at Eileen’s farm in County Tyrone. The photos show the kinds of chang-

es that have taken place in farming life over the decades. The first pho- tograph shows old pens, hedges and small fields.

“The second photo shows galva- nise steel sheds, the small pens are gone and the hedging is gone. The fields have been tilled in a mechani- cal way. In the third one it has all changed again. There is a slatted house and all the fields have merged into just once huge field. So it is very interesting, in it’s own way it tells the story of Irish farming over the last 40 years.”

This exhibition run until May 15, and like all events in X-PO are free and open to the public.

CLARE County Council is to hold a special meeting in relation to a se- cret High Court settlement it reached with a couple over a planning appli- orale

ONMU KIM ONEAOlMMeOLeneleoD mealeroinentcamGuens PJ Kelly (FF) said it was necessary that a meeting be held in relation to the matter in the interests of “open- ness and transparency”.

It is understood that the matter re- lates to a secret High Court settle- ment that the council reached with Bernard Madigan and Mary Keane who instituted legal proceedings against the council after they were refused planning for 31 homes at a site outside Inagh in April, 2006.

Last year, the council finally grant- ed planning permission for the re- vised development and the site now has been put up for sale through John Vaughan Auctioneers with a guide price of €2 million.

The council approved the plan hav- ing regard to the zoning of the land, its intended use and the pattern of development in the area, conclud- ing that it would not seriously injure amenities and be in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area.

At the council’s March meeting, county solicitor, John Shaw declined

to reveal the settlement terms of the High Court case.

In response to a motion by Cllr PJ Kelly, he said the matter was one in which there was a confidential-

ity agreement which had not been waived by the other side.

“The case is settled and I am still not at liberty to disclose the terms of settlement in an open manner. I am happy to discuss same and disclose them in detail to individual council- lors privately or at a closed meeting of the council in committee,’ he said.

“While I want to be as open as pos- sible with members of the council, I have an obligation to protect the con- fidentiality of this agreement. In this regard and in an effort to be of assist- ance to the councillors, I can say that ultimately there was no financial loss to the council.”

However, at last night’s meeting, Cllr Kelly expressed his disatisfac- tion with the reply and said that he didn’t want to enter into a confiden- tiality agreement in relation to the information he may learn and may not like.

“T will reserve my position on con- fidentiality until the full details are put before me,” he said.

Seconding the motion, Cllr Martin Lafferty said he would be seeking a full report from the council’s Direc- tor of Planning, Bernadette Kinsella, in relation to the matter.

MOST OF the teachers in the exist- ing Steiner schools in Ennistymon and Tuamgraney do not have the re- quired qualifications and would not be eligible to seek employment in the new schools that have will State rec- ognition.

That was the admission made by the patron body, Lifeways Ireland Ltd of Mol an Oige Steiner School and Raheen Wood Steiner school at

a meeting with the Department of Education officials last June.

According to records released through the Freedom of Information Act, the department secured guaran- tees that the proposed schools would commence the teaching of formal reading in senior infants and that Lifeways Ireland accepted the need for the use of standardised assess- ment in the primary schools.

A department memo last January recommended that recognition be

refused for the schools as they didn’t provide a “sufficiently clear commit- ment to provide Primary Curriculum 1999 to pupils”.

It was only after an oral hearing in March of last year that the schools won over the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC).

However, records show that in February, the NSAC requested the department to withdraw the offer of an oral hearing due to the Clare VEC being ruled out as a patron body.

It was urged to complete the delib- erative process by the department and arising from the oral hearing, the NSAC reported they were satis- fied the schools were committed to delivering the curriculum required of national schools”.

The inspectorate responded that there wasn’t any “pedagogical rea- sons to reject the recommendations of the NSAC”.

The department granted one year’s recognition with permanent recog-

nition contingent on the outcomes of comprehensive inspection of the schools.

“The provisional recognition status of each school will be reviewed be- fore August 3, 2009 and the minister may extend the period of provisional recognition or withdraw recognition entirely or grant permanent recogni- tion to either or both schools.”

A separate department memo noted that the process yielded little by way of public response.

THE Junior Ladies football team from Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon has marked their place in history this year.

With an outstanding success rate, having ruthlessly conquered all around them, they made it to the all Ireland semi final for the first time in the schools history.

After securing an amazing Mun- ster final win in Kerry, they went on to play in the All-Ireland Semi Final Or ANE NE

“We started off in the beginning of the year, we played in the early rounds and we knew that if we lost a match we would be knocked out but we got through them. Then we went

on to play Kilmihil in the Clare final and we won,” said player Niamh O’ Dea.

“We played the Munsters in Kerry and then we went on to play the all Ireland semi-final, we lost that but it has been good fun. It was hard work, we trained after school on Fridays and some Sundays. It was tough but it was worth it.”

The team has a wide range of stu- dents from first year all the way up to transition year.

“It was brilliant because I’m in first year. Just coming to the school has been brilliant and I get to play with girls who are so much older than me. It is a great privilege to play especially in a Munster final.” says Aisling Torpy, one of the youngest

members of the team.

Since Scoil Mhuire’s success in the Munster finals, ladies football, in north Clare especially, has received a boost.

“It has all been brilliant fun. We put a lot of effort in to try and win, and we were happy with how far we got,” says player Siobhan Garrihy.

“North Clare has definitely im- proved in regards to ladies football because in Ennistymon there has never been a focus on ladies football. It has always been the men’s football and hurling. It proves that women are just as good as men, we put in just as much of an effort and we can get Uae hee

The team’s overwhelming success has had a glowing reflection on the

school.

“It is great for the school. The girls trained hard and it is a nice reward for them that they can see that by putting in the work they get some- thing back out of it,’ says coach Car- mel Eustace

“It is good for the girls and it is good for the school. It highlights a lot of the sport that we do in the school and maybe girls who are interested in ladies football might choose to go to Scoil Mhuire in the future.”

THE Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is preparing to bring charges against an individual or individuals involved in an alleged parking charg- es scam at the Cliffs of Moher.

This was confirmed yesterday by Deputy Clare County Manager, Tom Coughlan as part of an overall

presentation on the local authori- ty’s budget at last night’s meeting of SE Selina Seltineee

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Coughlan stated that it was not pos- sible, for legal reasons, to confirm exact details of the alleged scam.

He did, however, confirm that the incidents took place before 2006 and had been investigated both by Shan-

non Heritage and the Gardai.

“The council was not happy that the income taken in from the car park at the Cliffs of Moher matched the us- age of that car park. This incident took place during the period when Shannon Heritage were in charge of managing the parking facilities and an investigation was carried out by Shannon Heritage,” said Mr Cough-

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“Following this investigation, the gardai were contacted who under- took their own investigation. A file was then sent to the DPP who have confirmed that they will be bringing proceedings in the case.

“Clare County Council has since taken over full operations at the Cliffs of Moher and we will strive

to ensure that the facility is managed to the highest standards into the fu- ture.”

Parking facilities at the Cliffs of Moher have been the source of much controversy in recent years. A number of bus contractors threatened to boy- cott the centre as a result of increased charges last year but have since come to a deal with the council.

THE principal and staff of the Con- vent Primary school in Ennistymon have criticised the approach by Mol an Oige in trying to entice pupils to its school.

In submissions to the Department of Education, Sr Rosari Ni Bhriain and “concerned staff members” outlined their opposition to the ap- plication by Mol an Ojige to secure Kreeyea Tv LB (ONE

Mol an Oige needed 51 pupils to be enrolled by last September as part of the process to secure recognition.

However, Sr Ni Bhriain and the staff members claimed in December 2006 that statistics indicated only 1.5 per cent of the combined enrolment of two local schools have opted to attend Mol an Oige over a two year period. This translated to two out of 134 pupils.

The objection went on to state that Mol an Oige was imposing itself

upon the local community who held the current educational system “in high esteem and acknowledge by their action that there is sufficient CTR IA ae

‘The statistics shows there is a low level of local community support for Mol an Oige in Ennistymon.

“The majority of parents feel that the future of education in the town is best served by maintaining the al- ready existing schools. _

“Support for Mol an Oige is dwin- dling at an unprecedented rate due in particular to the unethical approach used by Mol an Ojige to entice local pupils to their school.

“Such an approach is both unpro- fessional and shows little respect or regard for the existing schools.

“The unwritten code of practice amongst all primary schools in the county is that such open days are held in May or June when the intake for the upcoming school year is en- rolled.”

ENJOYING a facial and a get-to- gether with the neighbours was all child’s play in Tulla at the weekend.

And the money raised from dona- tions for free facials at the Pamper Parlour and a meet the neighbours night are going towards building a playground in the village.

The campaign for the playground was launched last month with the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, in which residents and businesses are being asked to contribute the cost of one or more bricks to get the play facilities off the ground.

Planning permission has now been granted for the development of a play area after a year of work by a com- mittee of parents.

€110,000 in grant money has been made available for the playground but another €40,000 is needed to make the youngsters’ dream a reality.

At the weekend, Pamper Parlour boss, Mary Corry offered free forty minute facials to people willing to make a donation to the fund.

And customers were delighted at the chance to have a little pamper- ing, knowing the money was going to a great cause.

On Friday night, Mary invited 48 families to a “Get To Know the Neighbours’ night and offered spot- prizes, food and “a chance to social- ise, have a bit of craic and help the playground fund”.

Mary delivered invites all over Tul- la, from Meaghera Cross to Kiltan- non Cross.

“[ had a gathering in my own house two years ago and there are so many new houses since then, it was time for another one. Life 1s so busy now- adays that we only see each other passing in our cars. It was amazing, people were saying to me that they never knew one neighbour looked af- ter kids or another had such a trade. It was great for us to to get to know the people living in our area.”

Mary is fully supportive of the playground, having become a mother to baby Ava six months ago.

She is one of a many businesses in the area which are getting behind the fund and other events are being or- ganised.

The site for the playground was donated by a local man, Mick Ke- hoe and, said playground committee

member, Jim O’Sullivan, “we are very grateful for it”.

The “Buy A Brick’ campaign in- volves donating €100 or whatever people can afford. The donation will go directly towards the building cost and everyone who buys a brick will get a certificate to display on the wall Ome) es lerer

We recognise the fact that €100 is a lot of money for some families to donate so we would gladly welcome any contribution that people can make,’ he added.

THE overpayment of road work- ers over a six-year period by Clare County Council was missed both by internal and external auditors be- fore eventually being discovered at central Government level, it was re- vealed yesterday.

Speaking at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council, the Mayor of Clare, Patricia McCarthy (Ind), stat- ed her disappointment that the error was not picked up earlier, at local au- thority level.

The overpayment amounted to more than €500,000 over six years, and Deputy County Manager, Tom Coughlan, also confirmed last night that the local authority would not be seeking to recoup the money.

“Tt is disappointing that neither the internal or the external audit system picked up on this error,’ Mayor of Clare, Patricia McCarthy said.

“It was in the human resources sec- tion of the department that this error was found and that is something that is regrettable.”

Deputy County Manager, Tom Coughlan, confirmed last night that because of the amount of workers involved and the length of time, the local authority would not be seeking to recoup the money.

‘This was an error in the methodol- ogy and that is why it was not picked up quickly and was compounded over the years,” he said.

“It should not have happened but

when it was discovered, the council moved once it found out to resolve the situation. If it had been a once- off discrepancy, it is policy of Clare County Council to recoup the mon- OV ‘Because this situation was ongo- ing and involved a large number of people it was decided not to try and recoup the money.”

Councillors Martin Conway (FG) and PJ Kelly (FF) have recently been appointed as public representatives on the council’s external audit com- mittee and have given a commitment to reporting on the workings of the committee to the general council.

“I’m glad that there is not going to be an attempt made to recoup this money. The road workers in this county are a very hard-working and committed bunch,” said Cllr Con- WENA

“We have had two meetings with the audit committee and we’re not satisfied with the reporting proc- ess. We will put together a charter of what is going on at that meeting, and we suggested that this charter be presented to the regular meeting for consideration by the general mem- bers of Clare County Council.”

Independent councillor Gerry Flynn raised fears over whether a precedent of not recouping errors had been put in place while Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) called for the local authority to send out a message that the finances of Clare County Council are in good hands.

THE Citizens Information Service launched its Polish information serv- ice last Friday in the Queen’s Hotel, [Syeyevay

The Ennis and Scariff offices are providing a trained Polish informa- tion assistant to deal with clients who do not a have good command of English.

According to the service’s man- ager, Paul Woulfe, the most common queries relate to employment issues, income support and child benefit.

The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia McCarthy, performed the launch of the service. Fr Tomasz Dauszkie-

wicz, chaplain to the Polish commu- nity in Clare provided a blessing.

“Integration not segregation is the key to a successful multi-cultural so- ciety, said Mayor McCarthy.

Integration should not mean for- getting your own country, language, culture or heritage. These are what form character and personality. Un- fortunately for many, economic cir- cumstances mean having to leave one’s family and country in order to seek employment.

“It is important that in bringing the language and traditions of home to a new country they do not become a barrier to integration and self ad- vancement. Rather they can enrich

your new community as you actively participate in local activities.

“The difficulties associated with setting up home in a strange country cannot be underestimated. Irish peo- ple are well aware of difficulties and obstacles,” said Mayor McCarthy.

“The Polish information service will provide information on rights and entithements. Equally impor- tantly the centre will also provide a listening ear and voice offering en- couragement, assistance and support as required.” she said.

Representatives of the Polish com- munity from across the county at- tended the launch.

Mr Woulfe outlined a number of

initiatives to meet the information needs of foreign nationals in the county. These include a dedicated advocacy service to assist with em- ployment and social welfare appeals and documents translated in various languages on the web.

Ola Szostak, the new information officer, 1s providing these initiatives.