This article is from page 6 of the 2013-03-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
DOOLIN is set to become the centre of the Clare construction industry over the next two years as more than 100 jobs set to be created on two long-awaited projects on Doolin Pier.
As the Office of Public Works (OPW) prepare to start the tender process for the new Irish Coastguard Rescue Centre next week, an Bord Pleanála also gave the green light for the € 6 million Doolin Pier.
Construction work on both projects is likely to begin later this year with the rescue centre set to be completed by 2014 and and Doolin Pier expected to be operation for the beginning of the 2015 tourist season.
As well as pumping millions into the local economy during construction, the development of the completed pier is expected to drastically change the tourism industry in North Clare – making Doolin a major access point for the 70,000 plus tourists who travel to the Aran Islands each year.
“Clare County Council has invested considerable time and resources into ensuring that the Doolin Pier project is one that benefits all users of the existing pier. Once completed, this project will have significant, positive economic and social consequences for the people of North Clare and the wider region,” said county manager Tom Coughlan.
The Doolin Pier itself is expected to create more then 100 jobs locally, in the local tourism sector, once completed.
“It is regretable that this has taken as long as this to be decided upon. It is unfortuante that a project that was granted public funding around five years ago has had to wait until now to get the final go ahead, despite extensive public consultation,” said North Clare Senator, Martin Conway (FG).
“I am looking forward now to the construction of a new pier in Doolin which is going to create the bones of 100 jobs in the tourism industry – directly and indirectly.”
The pier was also welcomed be a large number of Clare politicians including Labour TD Michael McNamara, Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy and Mayor of Clare Pat Daly (FF).