Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion July 17^th 2007

With reference to Notice of Motion no 5, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

To ask Clare County Council to install speed ramps at Avondale Newmarket on Fergus due to grave concern of parents

I wish to reply as follows:-

The alignment of the roads in this estate discourages speeding.  The estate roads here are one of the best examples of proper road layout in the county from this point of view.  There are no long straights, which would tend to encourage speeding.  A 24-hour traffic count and speed measurement was carried out in this estate in May 2002.  Only 5% of vehicles exceeded the 50kph speed limit.  The average speed was approximately 29 kph.  It is not considered that speed ramps are warranted in this estate.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 6, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

That the area adjacent to the footbridge at Tola Park be properly landscaped.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will endeavour to expedite this work to satisfactory completion as soon as possible within the constraints of the extensive programme of works progress.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 7, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

That Clare County Council provide a report in relation to the ongoing project concerning the putting in place road names and estates names throughout Shannon.

• what areas are still to be finished
• When is it envisaged the project will be completed

I wish to reply as follows:-

The following table provides a non-exhaustive list of roads and estates in Shannon requiring new signage;

*Signs currently being modified and to be erected shortly

A survey will be undertaken in each estate during the last week in July to determine the exact signage requirements. Where there are a number of estates served by a single collector road each estate will be signed where the collector road meets a distributor road, in addition to being signed at the entrance of the estate. An example of this would be in Ballycasey, where An Rosan Óir, Carriag Donn, Rian na Ri and Cluain Lia, are all served off Cúl na Ceapa. Housing estates such as the Cronan estate will also require additional signage such as the replacement of signs fixed to the gable ends of houses. I estimate that in excess of 100 signs will be required for the estates throughout Shannon that are in charge of Clare County Council. 

As soon as the survey is completed a list of individual signs will be compiled which will be forwarded the place-name committee to determine if the English to Irish translation is appropriate and check if the spelling of the estate names is correct. Once this process is completed, an order will be placed for the new signs. I hope to erect these new signs during September 2007. 

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy,
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Office.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

That Clare County Council provide an up to date report due to huge amount of extra interest for local authority housing

I wish to reply as follows:-

Assessment of Need.
While the last assessment of need was carried out in 2005, the current number of applicants on the Council’s waiting list is 1742.  While some needs will be met by (a) private rented accommodation, (b) Rental Accommodation Scheme and (c) voluntary housing, it is estimated that the actual need for social housing is nearer to 600.

I set out hereunder a brief summary of the Housing options available to people on the Housing list and details of the Housing Programme for 2007.

Social Housing

Clare County Council was allocated a record €17.5m for its social housing programme in 2007. This will enable the following projects to progress:

• Completion of 14 houses at Kildysart
• Completion of 30 houses at Killaloe
• Completion of 19 houses at Sixmilebridge
• Completion of 2 houses at Broadford
• Completion of 3 houses at Ballyvaughan
• Completion of 22 houses at Clarecastle
• Commencement of 8 houses in Shannon – Dun na Rí
• Commencement of 23 houses in Corofin
• Commencement of 14 houses in Scariff
• Commencement of 5 houses in Ballynacally
• Commencement of 18 houses in Shannon – Cul na Greine
• Commencement of 4 houses in Killaloe
• Commencement of 3 houses in Clarecastle
• Commencement of 36 houses in Miltown Malbay
• Commencement of 3 single rural houses

In addition, it is hoped to purchase 30 no. houses throughout 2007 and to date 16 have been purchased at various locations including Shannon, Lahinch, Ennistymon,  and South East Clare.

In total, the above programme consists of 244 social houses through direct build and purchase.

In order to address the shortage of land in the county, expressions of interest were invited from Developers / Estate Agents to build or provide houses throughout the county. While a number of tenders were received for small numbers of houses, no scheme of houses was proposed for the areas in greatest need.

In 2007, the Council commenced the delivery of social houses through the Part V (Planning and Development Act 2000) mechanism, where the developer provides units as part of a private development. While it is expected that completed units will not come on stream until 2008, discussions have been held with individual developers as part of the pre-planning process.

Voluntary Housing

In relation to the role of the Voluntary Housing Associations, it is expected that a total of 73 units will commence construction in 2007, as follows –

• 30 - Kilkee
• 14 - Ennis
• 12 - Clarecastle **
• 11 - Shannon
• 2 - Tullycrine
• 2 - Knockaderreen
• 2 - Kilrush

As with the provision of social housing through Part V, the delivery of voluntary houses has also been discussed with Developers, as part of the pre-planning process. It is hoped that up to 8 units will be delivered in this way in 2008.

With the exception of ** above, no other Part V development has yet commenced where voluntary units will be delivered in 2007.  In relation to the 11 units in Shannon, 10 of these relate to a RESPOND scheme and while these were only approved by DEHLG this year, these houses are actually completed. The remaining unit in Shannon is a house being purchased by Inis Housing Association.

At present, the total number of completed voluntary houses stands at 261.

Affordable Housing

In relation to the Affordable Housing, a total of 105 units have been provided to date. In 2007, the following houses will be delivered through Part V  –

• Environs of Ennis – 9
• Shannon – 6
• Ennis – 16
• Newmarket on Fergus – 1
• Miltown Malbay – 6
• Lisdoonvarna – 4

More may come on stream, pending the signing of Section 96 agreements.

In addition, 8 houses have been purchased in Crusheen and are being allocated presently. A contract for 5 houses in Clarecastle has been signed and application forms have been sent out to applicants seeking housing in Clarecastle.  A further 8 houses are coming on stream on the Lahnich Road, Ennis and a contract for 5 apartments at Clarecastle will be signed in the coming weeks.

To date in 2007, a total of 51 offers have been made to applicants for affordable housing. Of the 51 offers, 35 have accepted, 14 have refused and 2 replies are still awaited.

Rental Accommodation Scheme

To date, a total of 130 applicants have transferred to the RAS. It is expected that a further 30 will transfer during the next 6 months.

Yours sincerely,
Nora Kaye,
Senior Executive Officer,
Housing Department.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. P. McCarthy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

That the Council advise of the detailed schedule of works and time frame for completion of the rejuvenation programme for Inis Ealga and the former Shannon Development Houses throughout the Town

I wish to reply as follows:-

Inis Ealga and Former Shannon Development Houses

Following on from the approval of the Remedial Works Scheme for Inis Ealga and the former Shannon Development houses, an up-to-date survey was conducted to establish the nature and extent of the works required. In relation to Inis Ealga, a meeting was arranged with representatives from the Residents Association on 14^th June. Unfortunately there was a poor attendance, with only two people from the Residents Association present. Notwithstanding this, the proposals for the Remedial Works Scheme were outlined and the following issues discussed -

• Incorporation of parking spaces into the green open space - a sketch has been prepared which outlines the additional parking spaces. An estimate of the cost will be provided when the final design has been agreed.

• 'Communal' area behind house nos. 33 to 38 to be examined with a view to adding car parking to service these houses. This will be done in consultation with the residents in that area.

• Removal of trees and replacement with a block wall - residents at Carrig Hill have been consulted.

• Fencing outlined in red on the map will be replaced.

• Lighting in back lane at rear of bungalows - additional lighting is not provided for but existing lighting will be repaired.

• The playground grant – a copy of scheme from 'Go Play' was briefly discussed and passed onto Catherine O’Hara, Community and Environment.  It was noted that a requirement for the residents to come up with some funding may be given by way of labour, supervision and expertise.

A layout has since been prepared, showing how the proposed car parking could be incorporated and this has been passed to J. Hearn, for perusal by the Residents. In relation to the Playground grants programme, Catherine O’Hara, Administrative Officer, Community & Enterprise has also been consulted.

A meeting with the Residents will be arranged towards the end of July to brief them on the scheme. 

In tandem with the above, a procurement notice has been prepared for the establishment of a panel of contractors, for the execution of the works. It is hoped that the work would commence in October/November 2007. The expected duration of the works is 6 months.

Traderee Court

In relation to the regeneration of the flats in Tradaree, the DEHLG have approved the concept of the 'new build' option and have given the go ahead for the appointment of a consultant to design the specific scheme. A procurement notice is currently being prepared for the establishment of a panel of consultants for the design of this and other housing schemes. It is expected that the consultant (architect) will be appointed in late 2007.

Yours sincerely,
Nora Kaye,
Senior Executive Officer,
Housing Department.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 10, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

That Clare County Councils Environment section inform the Shannon Electoral Area community in relation to the opening hours and the list of items that will be accepted at the new recycling centre in Shannon, including any cost for specific items

I wish to reply as follows:-

Construction work on the Shannon recycling centre is well advanced and it  is anticipated that the Centre at Smithstown will open on the 26th of  July 2007.The types of recyclable materials which will be accepted  immediately at the Centre will be as follows.

• Glass Bottles and Jars.
• Steel food cans.
• Cardboard.
• Tetrapak cartons.
• Aluminium cans.
• Plastic bottles.
• Newspaper/magazines.
• Textiles.
• Waste Oil.
• Oil Filters.
• Batteries.
• Metal.
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment  i.e Fridges, washing machines, televisions etc.

In relation to green waste there is a commitment in the Regional Waste Management Plan to facilitate green waste collection at recycling centres by 2010. Currently this facility is provided at Ennis and Ballyduff Beg Recycling Centres. The Council will be working towards introducing a green waste collection facility at the Shannon Recycling Centre as soon as a satisfactory and workable arrangement can be put in place.
Only items listed above will be accepted at the Recycling Centre.  We will not accept domestic or commercial waste. The facility will be for householders only and not for commercial operators.
There is no immediate plan to levy charges for the services provided at the Recycling Centre.
The opening Hours for Shannon Recycling Centre will be as follows.

• Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
• Friday: 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

Yours sincerely,
Cyril Feeney,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Environment Section.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

Ask Clare County Council due to great concern of residence to put in place a major pruning/tree surgeon on a number of trees in Cul de Sac at the entrance to Michael Mullins house.

I wish to reply as follows:-

I will arrange to have these trees inspected by the tree surgeon who will advise on what tree pruning should be carried out.

Yours sincerely,
Donal Hogan,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 12, submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 17^th July, 2007

That Clare County Council increase the water pressure in the Sixmilebridge areas of Lios Anama Estate and Church Street Sixmilebridge.  These areas are suffering from low pressure in the water supply and as a result damage is being caused to some appliances in their homes.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Water Services Section undertake to survey the actual pressure in the hydrants in these areas and will take remedial action to rectify matters if required.

Yours sincerely,
Liam Murphy
Executive Engineer,
Shannon Area Offices.