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MILTOWN Malbay is leading the way in innovative ideas for rural liv- ing.

On Thursday, while the West Clare Resource Centre was celebrating the launch of its new information CD highlighting the many services pro- vided in the old vocational school, the Spraoi Family Resource Centre is already expanding its service.

After years of dedicated work from a group of volunteers, the family resource centre has opened and is catering for more than 60 local chil- Clone

The centre provides pre-school, af- ter school and a drop off service ca- tering for all age groups of children, and all the varying needs of local

parents.

Just weeks into its existence and an outside playground is already being prepared for the centre.

Manager of Spraoi Patricia Lineen said that people are signing up every day for the service.

It is hoped that the state of the art playground will be up and running within weeks.

Meanwhile a bus service brings children for the after school service to the centre from Rineen, Rock- mount and Annagh national schools.

The children are looked after and can do their homework before being collected by their working parents JE ICooup DOM OOlomen osu beTee

A total of 11 people are employed in the centre, five of them part time.

Leasing the land from the VEC the

Spraoi committee set about building the new unit onto the West Clear Re- course Centre.

The newly finished state-of-the-art family resource building 1s providing a variety of support services to par- ents from the area, including child- care facilities, a homework club, in- ternet café and a meeting room.

The brainchild of a number of lo- cal women, Spraoi Family Resource Centre, has the capacity to care for 80 children in total.

The innovated centre will not just cater for working parents, but will provide a drop off service for parents who wish to go shopping or keep ap- pointments and require a baby-sit- ting service.

The centre contains a baby sleep and awake room for nine babies, 20

‘“waddlers” for children aged nine months to two years and pre-school facilities for 40 children and after school facilities for 20 more chil- Clone

Plans are also in place for summer camps in Spraoi during the holidays in July and August.

The camps will cater for sport and music lovers and will be available to schoolchildren.

SW ilomereyrNCosns ecm KOLO eeMDOM Nsom GcNliRe is also available to the local commu- UIA

Just to prove how far the centre has become part of the local commu- nity in a few short weeks, the chil- dren of Spraoi will take part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Miltown Malbay on March 17.

For information call 065 7079893.

PLANS are running to schedule to open the first phase of the Galway to Limerick rail link next spring.

The move should see a connection between Ennis and Athenry up and running within the year.

larnnrod Eireann is seeking per- mission from Galway County Coun- cil for stations at Gort, Ardrahan and Craughwell. The company says that it is hoped that this section will be open for business next spring.

The investment to complete the re- development of the line between En- nis and Athenry is €106 million.

Chief Executive Officer of the En-

nis Chamber of Commerce, Rita McInerney, said that businesses would warmly welcome the opening of the link.

But she added that the issue of crossover connections needed to be addressed now.

“Crossovers need to be looked at for Athenry, Oranmore and probably Craughwell to ensure that the fre- quency of links is sufficient if there are problems like a breakdown.

‘We are very conscious of this, par- ticularly looking at what happened with the Ennis to Limerick line.

“That had to be closed because of flooding and that’s not a situation we want to see with Galway”, she said.

THE Enterprise Acceleration Centre at Limerick Institute of Technology is looking for Clare participants in its second intake for its Limerick Enter- prise Acceleration Platform (LEAP) joyueycau-ueavsaten

There are three Clare-based par- ticipants among the eleven people in the first programme, and the wel-

come mat is out for more applicants from the county.

The closing date for applications is this Monday, March 10. The ap- plication form is on www.lit.ie/leap, which also has further information. The programme starts on April 14.

“After a very successful first year, the LEAP programme is gearing up for its second intake of entrepre- neurs,’ said Graham Royce, who

manages the programme at EAC.”

LEAP is a tailor-made programme designed to support entrepreneurs in their quest to establish growth-ori- ented companies that deliver inno- vative products and services to the market.

Speaking of the first programme, Mr Royce explained that the start- ing point in February last year was to recruit eleven individuals that had

the ambition and drive to set up their own business.

“In April 2007, the LEAP par- ticipants took up residence (free of charge) in the Enterprise Accelera- tion Centre,’ he said. “They began a full time 12 month programme that integrated a range of supports fo- cused on strategic planning and prac- tical business set-up including man- agement training, business coaching, mentoring and consultancy.

“A year later it is fantastic to see the progress that these early stage entrepreneurs have made with their respective businesses. Without doubt, LEAP offers 12 months of unparalleled supports for entrepre- neurs at such a critical stage. We are anticipating strong demand for the programme this year and we are de- lighted to have Tipperary, Limerick and Clare based role models for the 2008 group.’

Mr Royce and Donncha Hughes, EAC Manager are available to meet with prospective candidates for a confidential chat prior to the closing date for applications.

, came in the wake of calls for the farmers’ market to be reinstalled.

The market moved to SkyCourt, having been operational at Drum- geely for two years previously. Whilst in Drumgeely, it had fallen victim to the weather on several oc- casions and then moved to the new plaza at SkyCourt almost two years ago. However, it has since faded out.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (In- dependent) said she is hopeful that the market can get back up and run- ning in Drumgeely “as a priority”.

“I’m just wondering can we resur-

rect it. It was good for Shannon. I’m hoping we can get it going again.

“TI just don’t want it to die. It worked well in Drumgeely. It is a good idea if we get it going again. People want it back,” she said.

In a statement, management for SkyCourt said, “The farmers mar- ket at SkyCourt was initiated on the town square in May 2006. Widely advertised and promoted, it proved popular and successful for the first two months. However, it became ap-

parent that the number of producers available was no longer sufficient to provide a diverse range of foods for Shannon customers.

“The number of farmers markets throughout the country has grown without a corresponding increase in the numbers of producers. SkyCourt remains very supportive of the farm- ers market concept and is willing to have discussions with any parties in- terested in relaunching the Shannon market,” said the statement.

GROUP water schemes in west Clare are to benefit from the single big- gest allocation for upgrading of the schemes.

Cahermurphy (near Kilmiuhil), Glenmore/Kiltumper (also near Kilmihil), and Mountrivers (near Doonbeg) are all part of a €1.8 mil- lion investment by the Department of the Environment and Local Govern- ment.

An additional €1.5 million will be used to complete work on the four eroup water schemes involved in the bundled treatment plant project Dysart/Toonagh, Killone, Kilmaley Inagh and Lissycasey).

The west Clare water schemes are also to benefit from the €1.3 million for upgrading schemes.

Farrihy (between Kilkee and Doonbeg), Lisheenfruir (nearly sure itis near Lissycasey), Loophead Ross Section, and Moyasta are to benefit under this scheme.

Making the announcement on Fri- day Clare’s, Minister of State for Environment and Energy Tony Kil- leen said that Clare had received an allocation of €5.5 million under the 2008 Rural Water Programme.

Speaking in Claregalway, where he launched his department’s annual programme, Minister Killeen said that the grant aid, which represents a 50 per cent increase on last year’s

allocation, would fund a wide range of schemes all over Clare.

“T am delighted to be able to pro- vide funding to support Clare Coun- ty Council’s ambitious and compre- hensive work programme for 2008,” he said.

“When the upgrading is completed the schemes will be taken over by Clare County Council and will be- come part of the public water sup- ply network. A further €900,000 is going to Clare County Council in response to the proposals to intro- duce improvements to a significant number of small public water and sewerage schemes around the coun- ty,’ he explained.

Minister Killeen said that the top

priority in 2008 must remain on ad- dressing water quality problems in the county’s privately sourced group water supplies.

“Clare’s allocation will ensure that the county will remain to the fore in the national drive to eliminate sub- standard rural water supplies.

“The headway made in dealing with substandard water supplies has only been possible through their hard work, dedication and spirit of partnership. I would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of group scheme activists who, for nearly half a century, have worked tirelessly for the betterment of their neighbours and communities,’ the minister said.

under the Freedom of Infor- mation Act show that the proposed link had a benefit to cost ratio rang- ing from .13 to .17, pointing out that a 1.0 benefit to cost ratio is normally required.

The report points out that the link would allow a 25-minute journey to Limerick and a 65-minute journey to Crea

A note for the Minister for Trans- port, Noel Dempsey points out, “The poor outcome to the economic evalu- ation reflects the high specification of the line which is necessary to ensure an attractive service and the small benefits to users in time savings due to the relatively good road-based services serving the airport.”

A separate note for Minister Demp- sey concluded, “In essence, there is very significant capital outlay for a minimal return for passengers in terms of time saved.”

It continues, “There would be sig- nificant capital expenditure and on- going increase in subvention to ena- ble passengers to save very little time on their journeys.”

The report recommends that an ‘all bus’ option would give the same ben- efits at a much lower cost.

A separate memo concluded that the cheapest option of €245 million would involve an irregular service every 75 minutes at a cost 1n excess of that for the whole of the Ennis to Tuam Western Rail Corridor and would not achieve journey-time sav- ings. The report forecast that the most basic service would result in 260,000 journeys in the first year, while the full service, including fast trains to Galway, would provide one million journeys in the first year.

Apparently ending any hope of a rail-line into the future, the consult- ant’s report states in relation to popu- lation projections that “even the most optimistic projections do not materi-

ally alter the financial and economic analysis of the project”.

The report forecast that 15 per cent of airport users would use the rail- ihe

A separate memo points out that the “economic case for the rail-link is poor and that road-based public transport offers the best short term solution for public transport access to the airport”.

It goes on to state that at this stage, Irish Rail will be taking no further action on the issue and that it should be noted that the project is not in- cluded in Transport 21.

FRANK Doherty answered some questions outside the Clare dressing room shortly after the game on Sun- day, standing on the same spot that Paidi O Sé occupied when Waterford knocked Clare out of the champion- ship last May.

Same result for Clare and though the questions haven’t changed for the entirety of this league — essentially it’s been: Where was the game lost, Frank? — Doherty at least saw some progress in the performance.

“I think there was improvement, in fairness. There was a bit more bite and character. At the start of the game we went four one up playing competitive football, and that was pleasing to see. The movement was good, the forwards were good. The younger lads are kind of stepping up to a degree and it’s the older lads who have to step up now. I’ve seen it in some games obviously. But today was an improvement from the An- trim game.”

That’s where the good news story ends, though. Shortly after Clare scored four, Waterford slowly crept back into the game and the manager recognised a handful of key episodes that led to the demise. The missed opportunity before the break and the penalty at the end contributed, he said, but Doherty believed the inju- ries picked up by Gordon Kelly and Daragh Kelly were crucial.

“At the end of the day we have a small pool of players and to lose

Daragh Kelly and Gordon Kelly was a big blow.

You’re talking about two key play- ers. When Daragh was in the team for the McGrath Cup, we didn’t lose a game. When he went out of the team we haven’t won a game.

“And Gordon, of course, is a fine bit of stuff. His loss took two big players out of six in our back line. It was a big turning point in the game.

“T’ve been hoping to move Gordon out to centre back for most of the year and unfortunately I can’t because my hands are tied to a degree in relation to where I can play lads. Daragh was doing reasonably well at centre back until he received that injured and Gordon obviously is himself. He’ll always give you everything.”

The missed goal opportunity?

“Stephen Hickey’s goal chance was like Rory Donnelly’s against An- trim. How many chances do you get in a game? How many times do you need these chance to put them away? You’ve got to take them when the goal is in front of you and that was there again today.

“I don’t know if Stephen tried to take the net out with that shot. It would have been better to side foot it into the back of the net and a goal then would have put us in the as- cendency. We would have been in the driving seat. It was a game that would have taken a different aspect in the second half.”

The penalty?

“I think Joe jumped into the for- ward more than he tried to claim the

ball. Then [just before the penalty] David Connole was unlucky. He ran into the back of a player and that was a silly free to give away in a danger- ous position. For a while we were in the game and the lads that came onto the team tried their best, but we are where we are.’

Again, Doherty came back to the positives of the performance and with Kilkenny on the horizon, the first two points of the season are surely within grasp.

“There was more determination overall. Still, the cuteness that will win you games wasn’t there and some of the lads took the wrong de- cisions at times.

“Sean Collins drove on and hit men twice his size and he was a contender for man of the match. There’s still a lot of work to do and hopefully we’ ll get guys back off the treatment table and we’ll be that bit stronger and that bit more street-wise the next time.”

told the story of a couple who ran into difficulty and their child was subsequently taken

from them.

The drama occurred at a mo- tel, where Philly Phillips (Hickey) W010 .

FIFTY seven students from County Clare were presented with FETAC Level 6 Agricultural certificates by Teagasc Area Manager, Gerard Mc- Mahon, at the Auburn Lodge Hotel last week.

Education and training are neces- sary for the future of farming and in- centives such as Stamp Duty Relief on the transfer of farm property to a young trainer farmer, Grant on Farm Structures, Installation Aid Scheme, and Early Retirement Scheme.

Farming is a very demanding ca- reer requiring a broad and extensive range of skills, from animal hus- bandry, grassland management, ma- chinery operation and financial man- agement skills, while also complying with animal welfare, traceability and health and safety regulations.

The FETAC Certificate in Farming aims to continue with the process of education in the rural community. Surveys show that a high proportion of those who complete Agricultural training go on to be successful farm- ae

They are more prepared to adopt the better farming practices of re- cent times in housing, milk record- ing, breeding policy, using AI and re-seeding.

McMahon congratulated all stu- dents and especially the 6 prize win- ners, Sean Rodgers from Crusheen who won the FBD Award, Student of the Year and O’Connor Cup, Patrick Rosengrave from Barefield who won the Cattle Production Award spon- sored by Clare Marts, Daniel Has- sett from Quin who won the Dairy Husbandry Award sponsored by Kerry Agri Business, Nuala Mc-

Donnell from Kilnamona who won the ACC Bank Environment Award, Mark Casey from Newmarket who won the Farm Management Award sponsored by Allied Irish Bank and Ciaran Coneely from Ennistymon who won the Farm Planning Award sponsored by Teagasc.

Kieran Burns, Seamus Considine, Kevin Doyle (all Doonbeg), Mark Casey (Newmarket), James Com- mane, Alfred Morgan, Greg O’ Leary (all Ennistymon), Kevin Crowley (Ballynacally), Michael Cullinan (Toonagh), Derek Daly (New Quay), John Downes (Kilmurry McMahon), Padraig Gallagher (Mullagh), Patrick Garry, Gerard Kelly (Kildysart), Gerry Gleeson, Sean Rodgers, (Crusheen), Daniel Hassett (Quin), Colm Hickey, Darragh Vaughan (Broadford), Eoin Malone, Ciaran Malone (Ennis), Paul McCarthy

(Miltown Malbay), Nuala McDon- nell (Kilnamona), Paul McTiernan (Scariff), Joe Moloney (O’Brien’s Bridge), Michael Montgomery, (Quilty), Brian O’Connor (Labash- eeda), Ivan O’Driscoll (Fanore) and Patrick Roseingrave (Barefield) all picked up Advanced Certificates in aN au (CUNAUb ues

Padraig Boland, Michael Browne, Paul Browne, Denis Clair, Padraig Clancy, Ciaran Coneely, Dermot Considine, David Crowe, Martin Enright, Michael Eustace, Cronan Forde, Oliver Galllagher, Donal Harte, Denis Lee, Brian McInerney, Nial Meade, Noel Meaney, Elizabeth Mee, Eamon Meehan, John Mescall, David Minogue, Keith Mungovan, Richard Nagle, Brendan Quinn, Sean Reidy,James Rynne, Daniel Sammon and Sean Torpey picked up 180 Hour Certificates.

A FORMER Green Party MEP will be in Ennis this week to voice her op- position to her party’s stance on the upcoming EU Treaty.

Patricia McKenna, who contested the leadership of the party with En- vironment Minister John Gormley last year, has criticised the “sheer ar- rogance’”’ shown to the people of Eu- rope by their political leaders.

McKenna is the chairperson of The People’s Movement, an organiza- tion campaigning against the Lisbon

Treaty.

“Regardless of the fact that voters in France and the Netherlands have rejected the EU Constitution, it has been renamed, repackaged and put back on the table as if nothing had happened and we are being told to say yes or Ireland will be isolated.

‘There is almost unanimous agree- ment among EU leaders, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, that the sub- stance of the rejected Constitution hasn’t changed. The difference be- tween the original Constitution and the present Lisbon Treaty is one of

approach, rather than content.”

McKenna will speak at a public meeting in the West County Hotel this Thursday, March 7, at 8.30pm.

She has been asked to speak by the Ennis-based Irish Drivers As- sociation, who are also opposing the treaty.

“The blatant conspiracy by EU gov- ernments to deny their electorates the right to vote on this treaty is an affront to democracy,’ she continued.

“EU leaders openly admit that they have taken the rejected EU constitu- tion and renamed and repackaged

it in an unreadable format. Giscard D’Estaing said that public opinion will be led to adopt, without know- ing it, the proposals that we dare not present to them directly.

“All the earlier proposals will be in a new text, but will be hidden and disguised in some way. What was al- ready difficult to understand will be- come utterly incomprehensible, but the substance has been retained.”

Meanwhile, Ms McKenna will be back in Ennis on Monday, March 10 to debate Clare TD, Timmy Dooley (FF) on the treaty.

The pair will take part in a public meeting in The Old Ground Hotel next Monday, March 10, at 7pm.

Deputy Dooley is the vice chair- man of the Joint Oireachtas Com- mittee on European Affairs and will argue in in favour of the treaty.

Other members of the National Forum On Europe, on which is rep- resented all the political parties and leading national organisations, are expected to attend. Copies of the fo- rum’s recently-launched