Month: December 2011

THE events of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland have been chronicled in another calendar, the proceeds of which will raise funds for the group’s activities organized each year.

The Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland is a registered charity, with the 2012 calendar being the third production that they have published over the past three years.

“Funds raised go towards the maintenance of our www.clarebirdwatching.com website and the annual running of our branch,” spokesperson and wildlife expert, photographer and filmmaker John Murphy has revealed.

“During the year we run free out- ings on a monthly basis throughout the county so that the general public and Birdwatch Ireland members can come along to see the wonderful birds and nature that the county has to offer,” he added.

The calendars are available from many shops in Ennis including the Ennis Bookshop, Jimmy Brohans, the Paperchase, all the pet shops,

McLougney’s in Shannon and many other small outlets throughout the county.

It can be purchased directly from Tom Lynch or John Murphy, details on our website and are priced at € 8, with a limited amount of copies remaining.

CLARE County Council’s share of the Local Government Fund provided to by the Department of the Environment has been slashed by over € 6.2m over the past two years.

Money coming into Clare County Council coffers in 2012 has been set at € 10.18m, while it stood at € 16. 41m in 2009. However, this reduction still represents good news for the county’s premier decision-making body. That’s because Clare has moved rapidly up the league table of county councils around the country when it comes to the doling out of government money from the lucrative Local Development Fund.

Figures contained in the Draft Budget 2012 have revealed that Clare Council have been informed by Minister Phil Hogan that their share of the Local Government Fund has been set at € 10.18m.

“This is a reduction of 5.45 per cent on the net Local Government Fund, making a cumulative reduction of 38 per cent since 2009,” Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan has revealed. “The national levels of reduction are not yet published,” added Mr Coughlan, “but I understand that, as in 2011, Clare County Council has not suffered the most severe reductions on a national comparative basis in the Local Government Fund.”

In fact, it’s believed that Clare now sits third in the Local Government Fund league table, when once they were a lowly 23rd when it came to secured monies from the fund that’s crucial to the operation of any local authority.

The funding levels for Clare County Council in 2012 come against a backdrop of a range of cutbacks that have been administered in the local authority over the past few years.

Payroll costs have been slashed from the € 44.8m high in 2009 to € 37.9m in 2011, while it’s been projected that they will be cut to € 36.8m in 2012, which will represent a 17.8 per cent cut in three years.

“Despite the ongoing efforts to reduce expenditure and increase income, the projected financial result for 2011 is a € 500,000 deficit,” the county manager has revealed.

This deficit has been blamed on the weather, Traveller accommodation and reducing rates revenues.

The key variances are as a result of the essential works which were undertaken to respond to the adverse weather conditions in early 2011, unexpected costs relating to Traveller accommodation and the increased levels of vacant properties in the county,” said Mr Coughlan.

Further cutbacks are to be put in place for 2012, with the projected number of staff at the end of February 2012 set at 810, which compares to a figure of 1,002 in 2006, while it’s anticipated that further reductions in staffing levels will occur in 2012.

“The ongoing reduction in staffing levels has resulted in a situation where staff of the council continue to deliver services even though the number of staff available to do so has been severely reduced,” said Mr Coughlan.

AFTER decades of campaigning Kinvara has finally been given the go ahead for the construction of a state of the art € 5.2 million treatment plant.

Presently more than 60,000 gallons of raw sewage are been discharged into Kinvara Bay each day. Besides the obvious environmental difficulties associated with the dumping of raw sewage, the village also suffers badly at times of low or unusual tides when a back wash effect can bring some of the waste into the picturesque surrounding of the Kinvara Pier. Because of this unusual movement of water in Kinvara Bay, raw sewage is often seen floating on the flat waters of the harbour – especially during the summer months.

Kinvara village has become a major tourist attraction in recent years with tens of thousands of tourists visiting each year to enjoy the the towns great maritime and traditional music heritage.

Before this year’s General Election local TD, Ciaran Cannon (FG), committed to resign his seat and not run again if a sewage system for Kinvara was not built during the life of the current government.

“When I first ran for the council back in 2004 this was an issue that had lingered for years with no solution in sight. I had always hoped that some day I could work with my colleagues locally and nation- ally to bring this saga to an end, and thankfully we have now arrived at that point,” he said. “Anyone visiting Kinvara at night over the Christmas period will be uplifted by the beautiful sight of a boat moored in the harbour and lit with hundreds of twinkling lights. It is a fitting symbol of a community that has lived and laboured by the sea for generations. I am delighted that within a couple of years that boat will be moored in a bay which has finally been restored to its original pristine beauty.”

The majority of the € 5.2 construction cost will come from the Department of the Environment with the balance being made up from funds already earmarked for the project by Galway County Council.

SHANNON Airport is likely to escape any major downturn in passenger numbers as a result of the official conclusion of US military operations in Iraq. An estimated 229,000 US military servicemen and women travelled through Shannon Airport in 2010 – more then 12 per cent of the entire passenger population who used the airport.

However, The Clare People understands that the vast majority of US military personnel who are currently using the airport are flying on to based in Afghanistan and Germany and will not be effected by the fall off in numbers travelling to Iraq.

While last week’s announcement of an official end to the US military occupation in Iraq will have an impact on the throughput at Shannon Airport, a number of these flight will continue to operate between Shannon and Kuwait instead of between Shannon and Iraq. All US military flight which land at Shannon Airport pay the same airport charges that are paid by regular commercial operators at the airport. The US military troops have also become an major generator of revenue for the Shannon Duty Free shop over the last decade.

The Department of Foreign Affairs have also confirmed that they did not receive any advanced warning from the US authorities that US operations in Iraq, which use Shannon Airport, would be coming to an end.

Shannon Airport handled an estimated 1.8 million passengers in 2010 but number are expected to be significantly lower for 2011. The airport is currently estimated to be losing in the region of € 7 million each year.

Meanwhile, noted economist and former government adviser, Dr Alan Ahearne, has warned that Clare and the west of Ireland will not escape unscathed from the current crisis which is effecting the Euro.

Dr Ahearne, who was speaking at the Shannon Chamber of Commerce’s annual President’s lunch, which took place in Dromoland Castle on Friday last, said that the one saving grace was that the Irish are “more resilient” than other people.

“Europe is muddling through the Euro crisis, with no definite comprehensive solution on the table and no ECB big bazooka. The Euro needs a new architecture, which involves stricter surveillance of national fiscal and economic policies and a proper centralised framework to resolve crises,” he said.

“Much of the hard work has already been done here. Three-quarters of the budgetary adjustments have been made, the banks have been restructured, and we are seeing significant improvements in our cost competitiveness. However, we won’t escape unscathed.”

THE cost of maintaining and managing each Traveller accommodation unit in Clare that’s managed by Clare County Council is now running at nearly € 7,000 per house – a figure that’s 11 times higher than the average cost towards the upkeep of an ordinary council house.

These startling figures that reveal financial burden on Clare County Council when it comes to Traveller accommodation is contained in the Draft Budget for 2012 that’s now be- ing considered by the 32 members of the local authority. The Clare People has learned that for each of the 63 Traveller accommodation units in the county that’s made up of 50 houses and 13 service bays, Clare County Council will have to pay an average of € 6,904 in maintenance and managing costs during 2012.

And, this huge figure when it comes to spending on each individual unit is magnified by the fact that it average cost towards maintaining Clare County Council housing stock around the county is just € 598.

This figures are revealed against a backdrop last October’s admission from Clare County Council that it has spent € 20 million on Traveller accommodation in Clare since 2001.

“Expenditure on maintenance and legal costs in Traveller accommodation continues at a disproportionate level,” county manager Tom Coughlan has admitted in presenting the council’s Draft Budget to councillors this week.

The 2012 budget includes a sum of € 235,000 for maintenance of the 11 group schemes in the county, a further € 199,750 for management costs and € 128,000 for legal costs, with the county manager outlining the local authority’s efforts at reducing the financial burden because of legal fees.

“The council has made a submission to the department seeking a complete review of the administrative processes involved in referring a complaint to the Director of Equality Investigations and the introduction of regulation to govern these processes,” Mr Coughlan has revealed.

MEMBERS of Ennis Town Council last night adopted a budget amid concerns that a continued drop in the amount of money collected from commercial rates could lead to an “across the board” cut in services next year.

The comments came as councillors agreed to maintain the current level of parking charges (€ 1.30) and commercial rates (€ 65.45).

The council will spend an estimated € 12,166,958 in 2012 despite an 8.98 per cent cut in the local government fund allocation. In his annual report, Town Manager Ger Dollard states that the council’s three primary income sources – grants, rates and parking charges – “have been under sustained pressure”.

Mr Dollard told the meeting that the rate of collection of commercial rates currently “falls below what is acceptable. He said that unless the council examines more ways of collecting rates, “there will be a serious impact on the services we can provide”.

Mr Dollard said rate collection currently stood at 60 per cent, down significantly on the desirable 85 to 90 per cent rate. Pressed by Green Party councillor Brian Meaney on what services could be cut given the difficult retail environment forecast for 2012, Mr Dollard said services would have to be cut “across the board”.

However Mr Dollard added that there was no element of panic about the issue at the moment and that the council expected to run a surplus in its end of year accounts.

Cllr Meaney said he was not seeking to scare local authority workers with stories of New Year cuts.

Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said, “I would appeal to rate payers, if they can pay, to pay for their services they are getting.” The meeting heard that income from parking charges fell significantly in 2011.

Mr Dollard stated, “The increase in parking charges in 2011 by 10c to € 1.30 was designed to partially recover the VAT increase. In my report on the budget 2011, I advised council that they would need to revisit the issue in the budget for 2012 to full the bridge the income loss in the area.”

He continued, “It is clear that that wider economic environment has continued to deteriorate and parking income will be significantly below budget this year. In the current business environment the option of further increasing parking charges in 2012 to recover the VAT element is not realistic. In addition the increase in VAT rates from 21 per cent to 23 per cent in the national budget imposes a further cost on the council in 2012. This 2 per cent VAT increase will result in an estimated additional cost on off-street parking of € 12,000.” Mr Dollard explained that the council, in conjunction with the local business community, had engaged in a number of initiatives aimed “stimulating economic activity” and promoting the town.

He continued, “It is clear that communication of the parking offer with- in the town to the wider public needs to be strengthened as there would appear to be a lack of awareness of the long term parking options.”

The budget for parking income and fines for 2012 of € 1,324,000 shows a reduction of € 184,000 over 2011.

In the area of commercial rates, Mr Dollard states that the council intends to maintain the commercial rate for 2012 at the level adopted in 2009.

He said, “The general rate on valuation proposed for 2012 is € 65.45. At the present time there is no buoyancy in the valuation base and the number of vacancies is a cause for concern.”

Mr Dollard also told the meeting that the € 100 household charge would not have any impact on the council’s budget.

CONSTRUCTION work on the long awaited final section of the Ennis Inner Relief Road is expected to begin in early 2012, a meeting has heard.

Loan charges on the project have been budgeted at € 240,000 for 2012. The figure, contained in Ennis Town Council’s annual budget, is to meet costs arising on land acquisition and construction.

In a report, Town Manager Ger Dollard explained that limits placed on borrowing mean the final section of the road could not be completed in 2011.

He continued, “These difficulties were resolved and the council is now in a position to proceed to construction for this section of the road. Tenders have been invited, and, at this point it is expected that that work will commence in early 2012. The redevelopment of Madden’s Furniture premises has now been completed which facilitates the completion of this long-awaited piece of infrastructure for the town.

It is anticipated that € 175,027 will be spent on local roads general maintenance works in 2012 with a further € 660,000 on general im- provement works.

Public lighting operating costs are expected to hit € 402,000, while maintenance and management of car parks will cost € 80,000.

The budget estimated that the council will receive € 1,324,000 in income from parking fines and charges next year.

In the area of housing and building, Mr Dollard states that the council has six casual vacancies, four of which are allocated and will be ready for occupation in the coming weeks.

He continued, “The remaining two require more significant repairs and will not be available for letting until 2012. Works to vacant houses have focused on achieving standards within short timescales to ensure periods of vacancy are minimised.”

He added, “In line with Government policy the council is leasing eight houses on the private market for social housing – the full cost of which is borne by the department and negotiation are ongoing in relation to other accommodation.”

“The council’s contribution under the abovementioned schemes comes from capital receipts rather than the revenue budget.”

ENNIS Town Council is to spend an additional € 45,000 in street cleaning activities next year.

Town Manager Ger Dollard explained that the closure of the Ballyduff Beg landfill facility would impose an extra cost on the council.

In a report at last night’s annual budget meeting, Mr Dollard stated, “The council operates a very exten- sive street cleaning arrangement to ensure that the streets throughout the town area achieve a litter free status. This is important in context of the annual Tidy Towns competition and in the consideration of other competitions such Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) league. The closure of the Clare County Council landfill site at Ballyduff Beg presents difficulties for the overall management of waste collected through street cleaning and other activities of the council.

“The unavailability of landfill at Inagh results in the council having to enter into alternative arrangements to ensure waste collected from its various activities is properly managed, segregated and ultimately disposed of, or recycled, as appropriate. This imposes an additional cost to the council and I have found it necessary to provide further sum of € 45,000 in the budget for 2012 over that pro- posed for 2011.”

The council has also made a provision of € 20,000 to cover ongoing maintenance costs of CCTV.

Mr Dollard stated that CCTV had proven very beneficial as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and as a protection to people and property.

He continued, “During 2011, substantial progress was made on linking many of the CCTV networks to the system operated by An Garda Síochana. Such an approach increases the benefit to be gained from the overall system. The equipment utilised, however, is continually evolving technology and does require improvement and upgrading from time to time. It is necessary, therefore, that the council make provision for the ongoing maintenance costs that arise on CCTV. Accordingly a provision of € 20,000 has been made in the draft budget.”

CLARE County Council services will be seriously affected in 2012 if income levels from the collection of rates that have been in the Draft Budget are not reached.

This worry has been sounded out by Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan this week in his financial report to councillors which has proposed to leave rates for the coming year at 2011 levels.

Mr Coughlan has confirmed that despite his admission of the fact that there “is an increasing level of vacant rated properties in the county” there will be no decrease in the rate that will remain at 72.99.

The decision not to cut rates for hard-pressed business had been blamed on the Government cut-backs that has seen Clare’s share of the Local Government Fund decreased by 5.45 per cent for 2012.

And, the county manager has warned that only by projecting for a greater level of efficiency in the running of the council’s financial affairs has the local authority been able to avoid increasing rates levels in 2012.

“Due to the fact that the household charge is being paid into the Local Development Fund and in the light of the continuing reduction in local government funding and income from local services, it has not been possible to provide for a decrease in rates in this Draft Budget,” Mr Coughlan has revealed.

“It is proposed to meet the ongoing reductions in funding through achieving efficiencies, as in previous years, and consequently an increase in the level of commercial rates is not provided for.

“The issues of a reduction in rates has been considered at a number of council meetings during 2011, and the consequence of such a reduction would have made clear to the elected members at those meetings,” added Mr Coughlan.

However, in acknowledging the hardships being endured by ratepayers, the county manager has pledged a flexible approach when it comes to collections during 2012, albeit the money will have to be collected to ensure that there will be not cutbacks to council services earmarked for the year.

“Clare County Council is acutely aware of the financial difficulties which our ratepayers are experiencing,” said Mr Coughlan, “and we are committed to adopting a practical approach in terms of facilitating ratepayers.

“However, I must emphasise that if the council does not receive the income which is identified in this budget, the maintenance of the levels of services which are planned in 2012 would be impacted,” he added.

THE global birthplace of duty free in Shannon has received a € 1m upgrade. The investment at The Loop at Shannon will be completed next month.

This is due to a redevelopment of the Shannon Airport retail facility by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

The development on the site where Dr Brendan O’Regan founded the world’s first duty free experience in 1947 includes an upgraded perfume and cosmetics area, a new dedicated Irish whiskey store, an Irish Memories souvenir outlet, a new concession giftware store from Glenaran and an area devoted to selling Irish food, including a range of artisan products.

“This investment will radically improve the retail offer at Shannon,” said DAA Retail Director, Paul Nee- son. “Shannon Airport was the birthplace of international duty free and we are delighted to be improving the spiritual home of airport shopping. Following this significant investment, the new retail area in Shannon is much brighter and offers our customers a much more pleasant shopping environment.

Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) Chairman Brian O’Connell welcomed the investment.

“From its earliest days, Shannon Airport has always prided itself in providing a uniquely memorable visitor experience for air travellers. Customer satisfaction is the be all and end all of our daily business and this € 1m investment by the DAA will ensure Shannon’s traditional welcome in our attractive new retail facilities will continue into the future,” he said.

The new 900 square metre Shannon retail area is being delivered in three phases. Work started on the revamp in September and the project will be fully completed early next month.

Shannon’s new perfume and cosmetics area will offer consumers the leading international brands at significant discounts to downtown prices, while Glenaran Irish Market stocks a range of Irish crafts including handmade sweaters, fashion items, crystal and jewellery.

One of the features of the new development at The Loop in Shannon is the opening of the new Irish Whiskey Collection outlet, a sister shop to the award-winning version at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport that has already boosted whiskey sales there by 30 percent.

“The Irish Whiskey Collection is designed to be a living shrine to Irish whiskey, which is one of this country’s greatest exports,” said Mr Neeson. The new outlet in Shannon will carry a wide range of whiskey brands and is designed to cater for both the whiskey enthusiast and the casual shopper.