Area Council Meetings : Replies to Notices
of Motion April 19th 2005
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 7 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe for
the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“I am requesting Clare County Council to resurface the roads in
Mount Ivers Estate as it has been over twenty years since any work has
been carried out in this area.”
I wish to reply as follows:
There are a few sections of road in this Estate which require re-surfacing.
The re-surfacing of this road will be considered when next years Road
Works Programme is being prepared. Meanwhile potholes on this road will
be repaired.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 8 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“That Clare County Council detail the extent and time frame for
the refurbishment of the Tradaree Court Flats.”
I wish to reply as follows:
Clare County Council has received preliminary designation for the funding
of a Remedial Works Scheme to refurbish the Tradaree Court Flats, Shannon,
Co. Clare. The Council is proceeding to prepare design documentation and
will be seeking approval of the design cost plan from the Department of
the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
This design cost plan will be submitted in June 2005 to the Department
for approval. When design cost plan approval has been obtained, full design
drawings and tender documentation will be drawn up incorporating, as necessary,
any conditions laid down by the Department.
Josephine Cotter Coughlan
Senior Executive Officer
Housing & Social Services
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 9 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“To ask the County Co-ordinator to arrange a public meeting to
request the setting up of a Broadband structure in Newmarket-on-Fergus
and its environs, as soon as possible.”
I wish to reply as follows:
Following a number of enquiries from Cllr. Pat McMahon regarding Broadband
in the Newmarket-on-Fergus area, I now wish to update you as follows:
Eircom now confirm that Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmilebridge will be
digitally enabled between April and June 2005. This will make Broadband
available in both areas within a five mile radius of the local exchange.
Those interested in accessing the service will initially require their
line to be tested for compatibility. The total cost involved for installing
a modem, cable, etc is €199 + VAT, with a €39.99 monthly charge.
A National Programme for the rollout of broadband services has been ongoing
for the last number of years with the responsibility for same lying within
the remit of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The issues of Broadband connectivity are being addressed on two fronts:
(1) The Metropolitan Area Networks Programme. (The MANs) This programme
deals with the provision of infrastructure to strategic towns in the country
with a population greater than 1500.
(2) The Group Broadband Scheme (GBS). This includes towns and communities
with a population of less than 1500.
In January of this year the Department announced a call for proposals
under the GBS. The objective of the Group Broadband Scheme is to bring
high-speed affordable broadband to smaller towns and rural communities
where the population is less than 1500. Towns with broadband have an advantage
in attracting inward investment and is seen as essential in the areas
of education, healthcare and commerce. The Group Broadband Scheme has
a budget of €25 million under the National Development Plan and is
also co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Shannon Broadband Company Ltd. is driving the Metropolitan Area Networks
Programme. Clare County Council is one of the main partners in this consortium
and is represented on the Board of Directors by the County Manager.
A seminar for groups interested in the Group Broadband Scheme was held
in the Bunratty Castle Hotel on Monday, 7th March 2005. Over 25 people
attended the information seminar where Tom Kirby, Director, Mid West Regional
Authority and Martin O’Loghlen, Clare County Council, delivered
presentations on the scheme. Information on this Seminar was circulated
in advance to all Community & Voluntary Groups in the Shannon Electoral
Area, in addition to all Parish Newsletters, Elected Members, Clare Champion
and Clare FM. The Bunratty Seminar was one of eight such meetings organised
by the County Co-ordinator throughout Co. Clare over the past two months.
Other meetings were held in Scariff, Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennistymon, Feakle,
Kilkee and Ennis. Over 300 people attended and at least 10 applications
from various communities in Clare are now being prepared before the closing
date of 28th April 2005. In order to ensure that as many groups as possible
throughout the Country were aware of the GBS Scheme the Minister appointed
Directors of the Regional Authorities to liaise with his Department officials
on how the Scheme was progressing.
Martin O’Loghlen
Development Officer
Community and Enterprise
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 10 submitted by Cllr. G. Duff
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“That Clare County Council provide evidence that contractors who
have
succeeded in securing contracts from the Council for developing of the
area's infrastructure provide evidence that they are adhering to Irish
labour law.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The content of each contract is such that it obliges the contractor to
adhere to Irish Labour Law. The Council has no knowledge of rates of pay
nor does it have any jurisdiction in this matter.
Monica Meehan,
Senior Executive Officer,
Transportation & Infrastructure.
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 11 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“I am calling on Clare County Council to have whatever necessary
work that is needed carried out on both public footbridges in order to
bring them up to an acceptable standard.”
I wish to reply as follows:
There are a few sections of defective surfacing to be replaced by the
By-Pass Contractor on both pedestrian footbridges on the N19 near Tola
Park and Drumgeeley. These have been highlighted to the Contractor by
the Consultants and Site staff involved in the By-Pass Project. The work
can only be carried out successfully in dry warm weather. I am informed
by the Contractor that, weather permitting, the work is scheduled to be
carried out within six weeks.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 12 submitted by Cllr. T. Mulcahy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“To ask Clare County Council to update this Area Committee on the
One Stop Shop for Shannon and the proposals to provide for the reinstatement
of the Court Service in Shannon.”
I wish to reply as follows:
A site has been identified as being suitable for Civic Offices to incorporate
Council Area Offices and is situated immediately next to the Garda Station
in Shannon Town. The site is in the ownership of Shannon Development and
negotiations are in train with them in relation to acquisition of the
site. Contact has been made with the Social Welfare Local Office who have
indicated that they may have a requirement for office accommodation in
the Town and their exact requirements are currently awaited.
The Courts Service have also been asked to indicate if they have a requirement
for accommodation in the Town and they responded by letter dated 3rd February
last and I attach copy herewith which outlines their position. The Courts
Service had earlier indicated that they would be needing accommodation
in the town.
Michael McNamara,
Senior Executive Officer,
Corporate Services.
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 13 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“I am looking for a commencement date for the new footbridge over
the O’Garney River at the Square in Sixmilebridge.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The Road Design Section of the Council has been requested to expedite
the design of this footbridge. It is acknowledged that the proposed footbridge
would provide a safe crossing for pedestrians who at present have to traverse
the narrow bridge which cannot accommodate a footpath. I recommend that
this project be considered as an Urban and Village Renewal Scheme for
2006.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
Civic Offices
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 14 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“That a progress report be presented detailing time frame and extent
of
works on the proposed improvements to Lemenagh Burial Ground.”
I wish to reply as follows:
All marked graves in Lemenagh Burial Ground have been sold. A detailed
survey of the existing Burial Ground was recently completed in order to
identify areas where additional graves can be marked. A total of 45 additional
double graves spaces and 9 additional single graves spaces have been identified.
As a result, the Council will need to carry out minor improvement works
within the Burial Ground to create these additional grave spaces. These
works will include the levelling of some areas of the Burial Ground and
the removal of rubble. It is anticipated that these works will be completed
by the end of May 2005.
It is also proposed to take measures to prevent illegal parking outside
the burial ground. The estimated cost of these works at this location
is €25,000. It was not possible to provide an allocation in 2005
for this work. If funding is made available, I will arrange to have the
work carried out.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 15 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“To ask Clare County Council to facilitate the residents of the
Hill Road, when the new sewerage plant at Bunratty is in place.”
I wish to reply as follows:
It has been agreed with the Developer of the houses behind Gallerys Restaurant,
that he will lay a spur to the edge of the "Hill Road" at the
entrance to the estate to facilitate the sewering of houses on this road.
The sewer pipeline from the "Hill Road" through the Development
to the proposed Pumping Station will be dedicated to Clare County Council
when completed and tested satisfactorily and this will occur independantly
of the "taking in charge" of the estate.
The residents over a 500 metre stretch of the "Hill Road" are
planning a Group Wastewater Scheme which is run similar to the more common
Group Water Scheme but the Dept. grant is considerably less.
Liam Murphy
Executive Engineer
Water Services Section
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 16 submitted by Cllr. G. Duff for
the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“That Clare County Council provide information in relation to the
system
for the monitoring and the prevention of the discharge of hazardous waste
from the Shannon Industrial Estate.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) has recently prepared the
National Hazardous Waste Management Plan in accordance with Section 26
of the Waste Management Acts.
The EPA is generally responsible for the implementation of the National
Waste Hazardous Waste Plan. Under the supervision of the EPA, the local
authorities operate a tracking system for the movement of hazardous waste.
This system is well established and ensures the proper control and supervision
of the movement of hazardous waste for final treatment and disposal. The
National Plan focuses on Waste Prevention and there has been major progress
in this area in recent years through product redesign and Clean Production
Programmes.
David Timlin
Director of Services,
Environment & Emergency Services.
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 17 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“I am calling on Clare County Council to provide a public car park
in Sixmilebridge due to the expanding community and the depletion of previous
parking facilities.”
I wish to reply as follows:
There is a concentration of shops and businesses in the lower end of
the Village on both sides of the Bridge. There is a high demand for parking
in the car park on the eastern side of the Bridge, as it is located beside
the Supermarket, Chemist Shop and Doctor’s Surgery. However, when
this car park is full, there are other car parking spaces available nearby
at the western side of the Bridge and at the Funeral Parlour. In this
context the provision of substantial car parking at the Funeral Parlour
a couple of years ago, has resulted in very significant improvement in
the parking facilities in the Village.
It is anticipated that further commercial developments will take place
in the Village and it is envisaged that associated car parking will be
provided as part of these developments. The Council will endeavour to
ensure that adequate parking facilities are available in Sixmilebridge,
as the Village develops.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 18 submitted by Cllr. J. Crowe
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“With the completion of the water works at Bunratty, the road at
PJ Faheys and Pat Donnellans Houses has subsided and has caused
flooding and it needs to be attended to as a matter of urgency.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The length of road at this location is quite short. It is intended to
re-surface this section of road in the near future, which will eliminate
flooding here.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 19 submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“That the public lights serving house No's 1-18 Cappa Lodge, Sixmilebridge,
be repaired as a matter of urgency.”
I wish to reply as follows:
The Council has arranged with the ESB to have these five public lights
put in working order again as soon as possible. It is expected that the
repairs will be carried out during the next few days.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 20 submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“To request Clare County Council to provide a pedestrian crossing
in the vicinity of the Sixmilebridge Post Office, as both young and old
can have great difficulty crossing due to heavy traffic at certain times.”
I wish to reply as follows:
I have referred this matter to the Road Design Section for a report to
determine whether the provision of a pedestrian crossing at this location
would be in accordance with the Department guidelines.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
With reference to Notice of Motion No. 21 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn
for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting on 19th April, 2005.
“Following on from a request I received in relation to the Safety
Barrier installed at St. Conaire’s School, I am calling on Clare
County Council in the interest of safety to extend this barrier around
the junction.”
I wish to reply as follows:
A junior warden school crossing was put into effect by Clare County Council
a couple of years ago. This work was carried out in consultation with
the Council Road Design Office and the Regional Executive of the National
Safety Council. A safety barrier was provided at the crossing. The extension
of this barrier as requested would interfere with the passage of pedestrians
along the footpath. It could also constitute a hazard for these pedestrians
at night time and particularly for cyclists who might use the footpath.
Donal Hogan
Senior Executive Engineer
Transportation & Infrastructure
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