This article is from page 21 of the 2011-11-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
THE PRESENCE of mould in several homes in a housing estate in Shannon is a major concern for locals, a meeting heard last week.
The matter was raised by Fine Gael Councillor Vincent Coleman, who said that it had been highlighted as a “major concern” at a recent residents’ meeting.
In a written response to his query at Shannon Town Council, it was stated by the council that the housing scheme was built to a high standard less than 10 years ago.
“In the past year, complaints have been received in respect of no more than five houses regarding mould. Staff of the housing maintenance team have met with the residents in each case and have advised them regarding ventilation. Where this advice has been followed, the issue has been resolved,” stated the response.
“If the problem persists following the appropriate action as advised, the staff of the maintenance team will review the matter,” added the response.
Cllr Coleman said the issue is regarded as “an extreme, extreme worry” and added, “The reply in saying that there is only five people is wrong.”
“One house is after losing their entire wardrobe with mould. The bathroom ceiling has been painted three times,” he said.
“There are a lot of concerned residents in the area,” he said.
Councillors agreed that the issue should be sorted out. Labour Councillor Tony McMahon said, “If there is a problem of this nature it needs to certainly be addressed.”
Fine Gael Councillor Seán McLoughlin said the mould is connected to poor ventilation. “I am surprised that this is still knocking around because when the estate was built it was knocking around,” he said.
Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn said that BER ratings have been obtained in respect of houses in that estate. “It would be very important to see what rating would come out of that. I do think that the issues in Cúl na Gréine are fixable,” he said.
Shannon Town Manager Bernadette Kinsella said that the BER assessments “are actually achieving a very high rating”. She said that if the situation does not improve, council staff will sit down with residents to discuss it.