Housing Update – March 3rd

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Every Wednesday, I will update you here on the social houses that are available via Clare County Council.

As always, it is vital that you register with Clare County Council’s housing section for their Choice Based Letting site, where you are able to register your interest for a property. You can contact the housing section on (065) 6821616.

Ennis

Address: 18A Shallee Drive, Ennis, Co.Clare

Details: 3-bed, semi-detached

Kitchen/Dining; Sitting Room; Utility Room; 3 Bedroom; Bathroom; Oil heating; Rear garden; Parking to outside property

N.B. –  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. Many properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing

 

Ennis

Address: Apartments, Parnell Street, Ennis, Co. Clare

Details: 3 x 2-bed apartments, 1 x 1-bed apartment

ll properties are located on the fourth floor and are accessible by lift – courtyard development

Properties have one bathroom (no en-suite), kitchen and living area combined in some apartments

Heating: electric storage heating

N.B. –  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. Many properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing

 

Ennis

Address: Cloughleigh Road, Ennis, Co. Clare

Details: 3-bed semi-detached

Semi – detached 2 Story

Kitchen/Dining; Sitting Room; Utility Room; 3 Bedrooms; Bathroom; Gas heating; Rear garden; Parking to outside property

N.B. –  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. Many properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing

 

Ennistymon

Address: Ardnaculla, Ennistymon, Co.Clare

Details: 1-bed end of terrace bungalow

1 bedroomed end of terrace bungalow; Kitchen/ Dining area; Sitting Room; Heating – Oil Heating; Accessible bathroom; Ramp to the front of the property; Suitable for persons with disability

N.B-  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. Many properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing

HIQA report into Cahercalla Community Hospital will lead to better care

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  • Report highlights number of shortcomings
  • Work has taken place to address issues arising

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the recommendations of a HIQA report into Cahercalla Community Hospital, which will improve the level of care provided at the facility.

A number of non-compliances have been identified in the report which has just been published, and steps have already been taken to address some of the issues that arose.

“Over the past number of weeks, I’ve been in contact with HIQA personally on this matter and I was aware there were a number of inspections taking place at the facility and that this report was being compiled,” said Deputy Crowe.

“This report found a number of shortcomings, some of which I understand have already been addressed, but the remainder of those will be addressed by a new management team contracted by HSE.

“What I’m particularly glad to hear is that from a patient point of view, nothing will change in that there will be no closure or winding down of this facility, which has offered a vital healthcare service for generations – that will continue as always.

“From a workers’ perspective there will also be a continuation in that there will be no job losses; there are changes in how the facility is being managed and an external company now leading up management, as appointed by the HSE.

“I have every faith and belief that they will address any final aspects identified in inspection report that are yet to be acted on but I also have full confidence that every step has been and will be taken to implement the recommendations.

“It’s important to note that HIQA is a regulatory body to ensure that the care offered in such facilities is at the highest standards and I think that the outcomes here should all be seen in positive light.

“Most especially, this is about improving things for the patients and I know that is at the heart of what everybody involved in the running of Cahercalla Community Hospital from the ground up.”

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Signage for EuroVelo goes up around Clare

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  • Huge opportunity to showcase county
  • Part of 11,000km cycling route

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the erection of signage for the European-wide EuroVelo cycle route network in Co. Clare.

Ireland forms part of Route 1 of the network, which begins in the northern regions of Norway, travels down through Scotland and the Atlantic coastline in Ireland, before moving on to Wales, southern England, France, Spain and finally Portugal.

“How wonderful to see the EuroVelo signs up around our county, to point cyclists from near and far along our breath-taking coastline as part of their route,” said Deputy Crowe.

“I might be biased but I firmly believe that Route 1 of the EuroVelo network will have some of the best views for cyclists who undertake various sections of this initiative, beginning with the majestic fjords of Norway, to our own rugged Atlantic coastline to the beautiful beaches of Portugal.

“It was a wonderful moment to see a sign marking the route at Brennan’s Cross in my home village of Meelick.

“It’s incredible to think that, if you follow one of the longest cycling routes in the world, you could begin pedalling in Meelick or Kilkishen or the dozens of other villages on the Clare section and end up in coastal Portugal, just by following these little signs.

“I am also delighted that the signage has been erected to coincide with the launch of the River Shannon Masterplan, which was presented to us by Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland this week.

“We’ve heard how much potential for slow tourism there is in East Clare – I believe the EuroVelo and East Clare can work hand in hand by attracting in cyclists who want to take part in the route but also stop, eat and stay in the likes of Killaloe or further up the eastern border of the county.”

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Aer Lingus temporary lay-offs mark significant blow for Shannon Airport

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  • Three-month layoffs for inflight and ground staff
  • No pay for duration of layoff

 

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Aviation Cathal Crowe says the announcement from Aer Lingus that it will lay off its Shannon Airport staff for three months is a real blow for the region.

The airline has confirmed that it will be laying off all 129 Inflight Service and Ground Operations staff in Shannon Airport from next Monday, March 8th, until June 7th.

The workers will not receive a wage for the duration of this layoff.

“Aer Lingus’s announcement is majorly disappointing and a real blow for its Shannon workers, who have faced almost a year of stress and anxiety about their jobs,” said Deputy Crowe.

“For most of the last year, the state has heavily subsidised the Aer Lingus wage bill first with the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and more recently, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.

“Whilst the airline is facing significant losses, it has also been well supported – in the last number of weeks, Aer Lingus received a €150m state loan from Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund.

“As Fianna Fáil’s Aviation Spokesperson, I have engaged with the airline and colleagues in government to see if further supports can be put in place so that the Shannon-based workers aren’t left on the breadline.

“More broadly, we need to find a pathway back to flights at the earliest possible opportunity.

“As people continue to be vaccinated on an accelerated basis, we need to examine the possibility of a Covid passport, so that those who have been immunised can take to the skies again.

“I would also question if Aer Lingus should still be continuing to advertise flights from Shannon.

“I’ve been made aware of a number of people who have booked flights for down the line under the illusion that they would be flying from Shannon, only to receive an automated email to say that they will in fact be flying from Dublin instead.

“This, at a time when aviation is at its lowest ebb, builds false hope in consumers and is misleading.

“If they’re flying from Dublin only – which, let me stress, nobody likes – then they need to be honest with customer base at this time.

“Right now, though, my thoughts are with the Aer Lingus workers and their families.

“These next few weeks will be even more difficult for them. I know many of them personally and I’ll do everything I can to help in this situation.”

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Bank of Ireland closures mark the death knell for rural Clare

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  • Three branches to close in Co. Clare
  • Confirms worst fears of local residents

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe says Bank of Ireland’s decision to shut 103 of its branches, including three in Co. Clare, is a sign of waning commitment to smaller and rural communities.

Following the publication of the bank’s annual report, it was confirmed that Miltown Malbay, Kilkee and Tulla will all be losing their banks – which have already seen reduced hours in recent months.

“Bank of Ireland’s announcement signals a real death knell for a lot of small towns and their surrounding communities in rural Ireland,” said Deputy Crowe.

“Some of these bank branches have been in situ for well over a century and offer a vital service to the locality.

“I think Bank of Ireland management are hugely misjudging their customer base because a very large cohort still rely on in-branch face to face banking and online banking is not something they’re able to engage with – be it due to lack of IT skills or in many cases poor internet infrastructure, so this is a very premature move on their part.

“Today’s news means that there’s only two banks going forward that will serve the county west of Ennis, which is a devastating statistic.

“In recent months, I have been in contact with Bank of Ireland HQ about these three branches in Clare – namely Miltown Malbay, Kilkee and Tulla.

“In particular, following engagements with members of the business community in Tulla, I sought enhanced ATM and lodgement facilities there.

“I received what can only be described as a lukewarm response.

“This is indicative that their commitment to improving the service offered in small towns has been on the wane for some time now and today’s unfortunate news confirms that.

“I hope that Bank of Ireland will reconsider some of the planned closures and it’s a point I hope to discuss with colleagues in Fianna Fáil and more widely in government.

“It also must be highlighted that the proposal to have a Bank of Ireland service in post offices isn’t a panacea because as we’ve seen in Clare, An Post is watery in terms of its commitment to rural Ireland too.

“A departure of both a post office and bank leaves communities at a total disadvantage and it’s something that must not be forgotten about by high flying businessmen and women in Dublin City.”

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