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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.

LITTLE boffins saw theory put to the test last week, when a stunt pi- lot drew gasps from the pupils as he turned barrel loops over the school.

The aeronautical display was to show the youngsters of fourth class, who have been doing a project on the Forces of Flight, just what can be Ley stor

Former RAF pilot and aerobatic display pilot, Gerry Humphries, took

to the skies after being approached by the school to give the youngsters a practical demonstration.

All 260 pupils gathered in the school yard on Thursday morning to see the death-defying stunts.

Fourth class teacher, Cathal Crowe said the pupils were “amazed. He per- formed loops, did barrel rolls, stalls and did a dive towards the school. The children were delighted”.

Earlier in the year, the class had visits from pilot, Jane Magill, and

aeronautical engineer, Eddie Ryan, who both talked to the youngsters about their careers in the aviation industry.

The school is reaching for an Ex- cellence in Science award for the third year running and the display went ahead in tandem with the Par- teen National School Green Schools Action Day.

Organised by the school’s Green Schools co-ordinator, Aisling Carey and discover science co-ordina-

tor, Fidelma Coughlan, the day was one on which youngsters displayed projects they have been working on and their knowledge about important environmental matters.

COMMUNITY interest = groups across Clare are being invited to have their say on the drafting of a new heritage strategy for the county.

Clare County Council, in conjunc- tion with its partners, is currently developing the second Heritage Plan for County Clare covering the period 2009-2013.

The Clare Heritage Office will for- mally launch the public consultation process at a major heritage confer-

ence next Thursday and Friday at the Templegate Hotel in Ennis.

The event will feature presentations on such issues as funding, commu- nity heritage, built heritage, natural heritage, networking and communi- cation, and the effectiveness of the Clare Heritage Plan since its intro- duction in 2003.

“It is imperative that the new herit- age plan reflects the needs and views of all of the people of County Clare,” said Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services, Economic Development

and Planning, Clare County Coun- oF

“It 1s important that we are made aware of ideas, comments and con- cerns relating to networking and communication, opportunities for funding, the needs of communities and individuals to carry out a local heritage project, best practice guide- lines, access to heritage sites and ad- vice on built and natural heritage.”

Ms Kinsella added that the upcom- ing conference would provide com- munity interest groups with the ideal

opportunity to learn more about the new heritage plan, as well as a range of other heritage-related topics and TEStS1 Ueae

The event will include addresses by Junior Environment and Energy Minister, Tony Killeen and John Gittins of the Cheshire Landscape Trust, along with representatives of various community organisations from across Clare.

“We have built up a considerable network of community contacts since 2003 and we will be consulting with

all of these people in relation to the formation of the new heritage plan.

“The conference presents a tremen- dous opportunity for members of the general public to have their say on the formation of the plan,” said Con- gella McGuire, Heritage Officer with Clare County Council.

Information is available from the Heritage Section of Clare County Council at 065-6821616, heritage @clarecoco.ie or www.clare- coco.ie. The closing date for submis- sions is Friday, June 16 at Spm.

THE Irish League of Credit Unions Ce) COKSBLecwe-DeDOLet-N excselosecD mae lcrolnb Orem aleydl weekend in the University Concert Hall in Limerick.

Over 1,500 delegates and other members will gather for the two day meeting at which they will review progress of the credit union move- ment in Ireland to date and plan for future developments.

Membership of Ireland’s 521 credit unions stands at 2.9 million peo- ple with savings of €13.4 billion. The Limerick/Clare chapter of 31

different credit unions comprises 177,244 members with savings of over €704.35 million and loans of €344.25 million.

“Having successfully agreed new lending limits for credit unions with Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, we can now offer larger loans over longer periods to our members. So we are facing the future with even greater confidence and making plans for even better service for our mem- bers,” said Uel Adair, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions.

“With exciting new services and products in the pipeline, credit un-

ions are looking forward to even greater Success aS a movement than we ve enjoyed so far. Ordinary peo- ple can now get the money they need to help them properly plan their own and their family’s lives.”

Delegates will also be able to see and discuss the latest support and management services available to credit unions at a special exhibi- tion running in conjunction with the AGM.

The first credit unions in Clare, Sts Peter and Paul’s Credit Union in Clarecastle and St Francis Credit Union in Ennis, were established in

July 1966. Around the same time, the first and, so far, only industrial credit union in Clare was formed by employees of the Shannon Free Air- port Development Co. Ltd.

Since its earliest days, the Limer- ick/Clare chapter has played a sig- nificant role in credit union develop- ments. It has been represented on the board of the Irish League of Credit Unions since 1964 by Fred Fennessy, Kit McDonald, Frank Canny and Tony Cullinan. Mr Canny served as president of the league between 1985 and 1987 and Mr Cullinan between 1995 and 1996.