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WITH just five weeks left until the beginning of the school year, the management of the Mol An Ojge primary school in Ennistymon are unable to begin construction work at a new Site for the Steiner school because of continued delay by the Department of Education.

Having received the go-ahead to be- gin construction work on a new pre- fabricated facility from Clare County Council more than two weeks ago, the development has been stalled

following continued delays by the Department of Education in deciding whether to grant the school official recognition.

A contractor has been poised to be- gin essential construction work since the beginning of July but all work has been put on ice until a decision is made.

“If we are to get official recogni- tion, we need to get working on the new school and we need to get work- ing soon,” said a spokesperson from Mol an Oige.

“The site needs essentials like elec-

tricity and water and a contractor is ready and waiting to begin work.”

A delegation from the school met with the Minister for Education on Sunday but no commitment on rec- ognition, or timetable for a decision to be made, was forthcoming.

If the school does not get official recognition, they will be forced to abandon plans for a new school building and remain in their current location near Data Display.

“Either way, we have 56 students who want to be educated in this way and will be coming to Mol An Ojge

next year,’ continued the spokesper- Te) 0F

“We will be going ahead no matter what happens. We have great support from all the parents and everyone in- volved in the school.”

Meanwhile, a letter has been sent to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, inform- ing him of the situation at the school and the need for swift action.

The Mol an Oige primary school has been operating in Ennistymon with no state assistance for three years. It is one of just two Steiner schools operating in County Clare.

THIRTEEN per cent of all houses in Shannon were unoccupied last year. While this figure is lower than the county average of 21 per cent, it is a significantly high figure for Shannon, which is not a haven for holiday home construction.

Shannon councillors last week re- ceived details of the county council’s housing strategy, between this year and 2011. The document points to- wards a projected house construction in the county of almost 11,000 new homes, between now and 2011.

Clare County Council senior execu- tive engineer (planning), John Brad- ley said that 3,457 houses in Shannon

were occupied, in the Census fig- ures for 2006. 522 were unoccupied, which represents 13 per cent of all TOU ehe

‘Where are these vacant houses and what is the reason? Are these second homes?” asked Mr Bradley.

He said that he was surprised by the high number of vacant houses and the number of replacement homes in Shannon.

‘This is not a holiday home venue. This area shouldn’t be holiday homes. While 522 unoccupied homes is low- er than the norm of 21] per cent for the whole of the county, it 1s of concern. Virtually any estate we have been through, there is a huge number of ‘for sale’ boards,” said Mr Bradley.

The mayor of Clare, Councillor Pa- tricia McCarthy (Independent) said the number of vacant houses in Clare was “frightening”.

“In the housing strategy, the area that isn’t covered is step down hous- ing, who are the elderly. They don’t want mortgages and they need some- thing to step down to. The social housing doesn’t cater for them. The affordable doesn’t cater for them,” she said.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) noted that 21 per cent of houses in the county were vacant last year and asked, “Is that a failure in plan- bate

“Are we now seeing a failure show- ing up in the system that was always

anticipated?”’ he asked.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said that the needs of single men with children Should be addressed, in terms of so- cial and affordable housing.

“They need to get some form of subsidy. We are way short,’ he said.

Newmarket-on-Fergus — Council- lor Pat McMahon said that housing shortages in his area, and Sixmileb- ridge, should be tackled.

“Newmarket and Sixmilebridge ex- perience great growth and will expe- rience more growth in the next five to 10 years,” he said.

He said the housing issue was like “adding another fence in the Grand National. It gets harder to win. It is a very Serious issue”.

CLARE had a strong representation at this year’s Lancome Irish Girls Close Championships that went ahead at Ballinasloe last week.

Day one opened on Wednesday and conditions proved blustery and windy throughout the course.

Renowned competitor Sarah Cun- ningham of Ennis enjoyed a suc- cessful opening round and advanced to the next phase of the tournament playing some solid golf.

Ciara Pender, also of Ennis, had a very memorable day and holed out

on the difficult par three eighth on her way to victory over Tara Grib- ben. There weren’t too many surpris- es on Wednesday, but unfortunately from a Clare point of view, Diandra O’Connell, who travelled to the Gal- way course in fine form and full of hope, was beaten by Zarah O’Reilly.

As the week wore on, Sarah Cun- ningham was the only Clare repre- sentative to make it to the semi final stage but she was pipped on the third play off hole. It was Kate Gallagher who put an end to Cunningham’s challenge and she went on to take the top prize.

THE development of Kilmaley is be- ing seriously hampered because of the village’s position between three different electorial areas, according to the Kilmaley Development Com- mittee. Clare County Council has come under increased pressure to redraw the county’s electorial bound- ary and unite the village of Kilmaley before the next local election takes place in 2009.

Speaking at a joint meeting of the Kilrush and Ennistymon areas held

in Kilmaley Day Care Centre yes- terday, the Chairman of the Kilma- ley Development Committee, John O’Rouke, described the dividing of Kilmaley village as very negative for community development and com- munity spirit.

“There are things that we need to get to continue with a development committee in Kilmaley,” said Mr O’ Rourke.

“We are split between three differ- ent areas and development is very unsatisfactory for that reason alone. We would appeal to the you, to try

and put the parishes together.

“Don’t split them. It is very bad for communities and community spirit to have them split. We are fairly united here and we need to be treated on a united basis.”

At present, Kilmaley borders the Ennistymon, Kilrush and Ennis lo- cal areas and the local development committee feel that they are being overlooked because of their mar- ginilised position.

A number of issues were mentioned for special attention at the meeting, including the downgrading of the

local post office, boy racers, a local sewerage scheme, road works and hedge cutting.

“If we do look for help, please do give us a listening ear. I would per- sonally love to see a respite centre here in Kilmaley.

“The families who send people here, some of them really do need a break. If we could offer this in our community, it really would be a great asset,” said Mary Ita Griffin of the Kilmaley Day Care Centre.

“If you. give us help, we will be there to help you back.”

CONCERN has been expressed about people moving to Shannon, from other areas, and engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Shannon-based councillors have expressed concern that people who are creating trouble in their areas are moving to the town, under the rent subsidy scheme.

At a Shannon Electoral Area meeting last week, Clare County Council senior executive officer Nora Kaye said she has personally refused housing to individuals, amid concerns relating to anti-so- aE Wim oloset- hrs celtow

“IT have refused myself, both af- fordable and social housing, fol- lowing the vetting process by gardai,’ said Ms Kaye.

“We are working closely with gardai in relation to anti-social behaviour,’ she added.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) said one of the con- cerns was that the vetting which has been done by the county council was not being done by the HSE.

“Two or three agencies need to come together. Unless there is a sustained co-ordinated effort, it is

going to get worse,” she said.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said, “We have a couple of unde- sirables at the moment, on the rent subsidy scheme.”

The mayor of Shannon, Council- lor Sean McLoughlin (FG) asked was any accommodation coming on stream for homeless men.

Ms Kaye said that while nothing specifically geared towards the homeless was becoming available, homeless people could be accom- modated in private houses.

She also said that the go-ahead has been given for new building options in Tradaree. They have to be designed, before any further progress is made.

“We are not consciously putting people in Tradaree at the moment, because they are going to be de- molished soon,” she said.

She said that while nothing defi- nite is coming on stream in New- market-on-Fergus and Quin in the foreseeable future, she is confi- dent that a number of options will be explored in those areas, at a later stage.

A small percentage of applicants on the social housing list are also on the affordable list, said Ms ier

‘PEOPLE power’ was yesterday cred- ited with ending contentious plans — for now — to construct a five-storey apartment block overlooking Lahinch prom.

Plans by developer, Seamus Carroll to develop a €3 million complex that involves the demolition of the existing McDonalds amusement arcade faced widespread opposition throughout the north Clare coastal resort.

However, after being in informal contact with the planning department

last week, the developer lodged a let- ter with the council requesting that the planning application be withdrawn.

The roads section of the council had stated that the proposal was pre- mature pending the completion of a masterplan for Lahinch prom, while it is understood that there were other reasons refusing planning permission for the proposal.

As no formal decision has been made, the council is not making pub- lic those reasons. However, Mr Car- roll — faced with a refusal — opted to withdraw the plan rather than have the

precedent set of there being a refusal Oy NSN es

Mr Carroll now has the option of lodging plans for a scaled down devel- Opment and to await the outcome of the masterplan for the redevelopment of the prom.

The plan before the council includes 20 apartments, 18 duplex units and six eround floor retail units overlooking Lahinch promenade.

Chairman of the Lahinch Commu- nity Council, Donogh O’Loghlin led opposition against the proposal and he said yesterday, “The withdrawal

of the plan represents a good day for ‘people power’.”

He added, “People in Lahinch are thrilled with the outcome. We are not against development, but any devel- opment has to be in keeping with the a0 0 Ee Texonee

The apartment block plan was pro- posed for a site adjacent to the exist- ing “Dell’ development on the corner site leading into the prom.

Referring to planning permission being granted for the Dell in the late 1990s, Mr O’Loghlin said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right and I would

like to see that building knocked and a new building put in place there.”

In its objection to the proposal, Lahinch Community Council stated, “The erection of 36 residential apart- ments and six retail units, in a dense development, will place an intolerable burden upon the sewerage facilities in Lahinch which are already a source of grave concern.

“T would draw your attention to the fact that on a constant basis on the Main Street and Kettle Street, Lahi- nch, the smell of raw sewerage is a constant problem.”

KILRUSH is on line and available to the world through the internet.

Kilrush.ie is the brainchild of the town council, and will provide infor- mation about services and facilities in the west Care capital.

The site was re-launched this week, with up to date information and tech- nology in Clare’s local authorities most up to date site.

Following extensive re-development work carried out by Kilrush Town Council with the assistance of the IT Department of Clare County Coun-

cil, Kilrush Town Council’s web site is easy accessible and user friendly.

“This new enhanced site aims to provide the public with a vast amount of useful information on the work of the local authorities operating in Kil- rush as well as information for any- one planning a trip to Kilrush show- casing the town’s achievements and facilities on offer,’ Siobhan Garvey, acting marketing and development officer with Kilrush Town Council explained.

Application forms for and relating to services such as planning, roads, parking and housing will be available

to download from the site.

In addition, the public will have the ability to search Kilrush Town Coun- cil planning applications, checking the status on these applications from the comfort of home.

For the first time ever information on all Kilrush’s planning applications will be on line, similar to the service that has been available from Clare County Council for the last number of years.

‘The site has been designed to be accessible for all users including people with disabilities,’ said Ms Crane

“Websites are a valuable informa- tion tool and can reach a vast variety of the public; with this in mind Kul- rush Town Council are committed to ensure that all relevant up to date information will be available on this website,’ she added.

“We hope you will find this site a useful source of information and we welcome any comments you may have.”

People with such comments or queries can contact Kilrush Town Council n 065 9051047 and e- rnerew et kilrush@clarecoco.ie or sgarvey @clarecoco.ie.

AN BORD Pleanala has over-ruled the recommendation of its own in- spector to grant planning permission for contentious plans for a housing development in Ballyvaughan.

Earlier this year, Clare County Council granted planning permis- sion to Thomas P Considine for 21 homes in the face of opposition from local residents.

However, the residents appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala. They stated that the proposed houses are suburban in massing, design and density and are therefore inappro-

priate for the location proposed and damaging to visual amenity.

The residents also stated that the pro- posed development by reason of the number of residential units proposed, would prejudice the orderly develop- ment of the settlement as envisaged in the development plan and also argued that the pattern of development is in- consistent with the historic pattern of development of the area.

The residents also argued that the development would overlook certain neighbouring residential properties and that the site is prone to flooding.

In the recommendation by its in- spector, Keith Sargent, he recom-

mended refusal after ruling that the proposed dwellings would have an unacceptable visual impact on the scenic amenities of this visually sen- sitive area, and would set an inappro- priate precedent for the construction of similar dwellings on other unde- veloped lands in Ballyvaughan.

He stated, “The proposed develop- ment would, therefore, be contrary to proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area.”

The inspector also ruled that, con- sidering the existing deficiency in the Ballyvaughan sewerage system and the uncertainty regarding the timing of future improvements to the system,

development of the kind proposed on the land would be premature.

Mr Sergeant ruled that access to the development is proposed via a cul-de-sac road serving an existing residential estate and involving con- struction of a road on existing public Open space serving the said existing residential estate. He said, “The pro- posed development would therefore seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of property in the vicinity and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

However, in its ruling, the council stated that the development would

not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would be acceptable in terms of traf- fic safety and convenience and would not be prejudicial to public health. The board explained not accept- ing the inspector’s recommendation by stating that the proposed devel- opment as designed represented an acceptable standard appropriate to its context, the issue of foul sewage could be addressed by condition, and the access proposed was appropriate in the context of the planned expan- sion of residential development in the area and would not unduly injure the amenities of adjoining property.

THE mayor of Kilrush is to consider making a trip to France for the coun- cil members part of next year’s local authority budget.

Cllr Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “I would like to say that I am keen that mem- bers of the current elected council, in place since 2004, would be part of a return visit to Plouzane and I will be bringing this to the fore later in the year when we are considering budg- ets for the coming 12 months.”

He was speaking at the 25th anni- versary of the twinning of Kilrush with the French town of Plouzane at a special monthly meeting of the Kilrush Town Council in the Vande- leur Walled Garden.

The 30-strong French delegation was led by the deputy mayor of the French town, Yves Dubuit.

The very first exchange took place in 1982, when Michael Flynn, the

then mayor, lead the inaugural twin- ning delegation to Plouzane.

Members of that delegation were also present at the special meet- ing including Michael Flynn and PJ Hanrahan. The late John McNama- ra was represented by his wife Kitty McNamara.

‘You must be very proud that some- thing started 25 years ago continues to thrive to this day,” Mayor Clyne told the members in the public gal- Says

“The first Plouzane delegation to come to Kilrush will have witnessed many changes since 1982. And even as some things change, some things remain the same. Kilrush still en- joys the same natural advantages it always has had – the same beautiful wide streets, the waterside location, accessible woodlands, fine architec- ture and streetscapes and the same vibrant community spirit – of which the Plouzane-Kilrush Twinning

Committee is a good example,’ the mayor continued.

“The advantages that Kilrush has to offer are now being recognised widely, by developers and others. Kilrush has received numerous Tidy Towns Awards in recent years. A Government department has recent- ly decentralised to Kilrush and there are 50 new revenue commissioners working in town. The commercial and business life of the town 1s thriv- ing and set to continue to thrive. The high standard of quality of life that can be enjoyed in Kilrush is reaping economic rewards.”

Plouzane shares a maritime tradi- tion with Kilrush, and Cllr Clyne took every opportunity to mention the new marina development to the visitors. He also outlined the on-set of full broadband facilities for the town.

“Our friends from Plouzane and ourselves have in common the best

interests of our towns at heart and we thank the people and the town of Plouzane for your sustained friend- ship and interest in Kilrush over the years. Regardless of any changes to shopping or tourism or technology, the key to successful twinning is in the friendships formed between or- dinary people. I congratulate both the Kilrush and Plouzane twinning committees for their dedicated hard work and for ensuring that the con- nections between people remain at the heart of this successful twinning relationship,’ he said.

THE HSE is training advanced para- medics ahead of the expected closure of accident and emergency depart- ments across the country.

The former mid-western health board region of Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary will be used on a pilot basis for the deployment of the highly trained medics from this September.

It is understood that the HSE plans to deploy the advanced paramedics in Clare and Tipperary, effectively tak- ing A&E on the road. This will allow them to administer critical life-sav- ing treatment before taking patients

directly to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, bypassing local hospitals.

The HSE is preparing to announce the results of a review of acute hos- pitals in the mid-west carried out by Teamwork, a British-based company of consultants. The same group has already recommended the closure of accident and emergency departments in the north east of the country.

While not commenting on what the report will contain, the HSE has said that the review of hospital services in the Mid West is expected in the autumn at the earliest. However, it is believed locally that an announcement

will come in the next few weeks.

It is expected to recommend the clo- sure of the accident and emergency departments at Ennis and Nenagh gen- eral hospitals, as well as at St John’s in Limerick, and be replaced by nurse- led minor injuries clinics.

The HSE has confirmed that seven advanced paramedics are already based in Limerick, with one each in Roscrea and Ennis and seven more CUTS KoOLO AEN mbe-BoNpbOron

Asked how advanced paramedics will be deployed in the Mid West, the HSE said they are currently deployed as part of operational crews and this will be reviewed for the future.

Ambulance personnel, previously known as emergency medical techni- cians, are now referred to as paramed- ics, having completed a conversion course, and are permitted to admin- ister better live-saving treatment than before.

Before qualifying as advanced para- medics, staff undergo further, more intensive training lasting almost 12 months, at a cost of over €120,000 per person. They will then be allowed un- dertake “advanced interventions” in- cluding the administration of a range of live-saving drugs. Staff will also be able to put up drips, a task only under- taken by doctors in the past.