This article is from page 14 of the 2012-03-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
SHANNON is one the verge of a major rat infestation with no specific funding currently available to tackle the growing pest problem in the town.
This has come to light following an official request from local Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind), at this week’s meeting of Shannon Town Council, that there’s no funding be found to tackle the problem. Shannon Development has previously provided some funding to tackle the problem but it was confirmed at the meeting that no specific source of funding was in place to tackle the situation.
“I requested that Shannon Town Council source some funding for this and this need to happen. Up to September of 2004, Shannon Development made funding available for pest control in the town. Unfortu- nately, this is no longer the case and no funding has been put in place by Clare County Council for this,” said Cllr Flynn.
“Shannon is a unique place, there are a lot of wetlands here. A lot of people are ringing me about difficulties with pests and they are surprised to learn that there is no funding set aside by Clare County Council for pest control. I am not happy with the reply and I would hope that you might find some funding for this.”
Speaking at the meeting, Shannon Town Manager Bernadette Kinsella said that pest control in Shannon was paid for out of the normal Clare County Council’s central budget.
“I know Shannon Development used to take care of this and it’s a pity that they didn’t transfer over the funding as well,” she said.
“The first point of call when there is a serious infestation is here, at the Shannon Local Offices, there is no specific budget from Clare County Council for dealing with pest control in Shannon.”
Meanwhile, Shannon Town Council will continue to host the Shannon.ie website after a heated debate on the subject in last weeks meeting. It had been proposed that the web address, which is the property of Clare County Council, was to be taken from the local authority and held in reserve for a new unified website about Shannon – when funding became available to create this site.
“I’m not happy with changing the name. What does Clare County Council intend to do with the existing name? I don’t understand why is it going to take so long to develop this unified website?” said Cllr Cathy McCafferty (Ind).
“This is the same council that wants to take over running of the airport and it’s going to take them six moths to develop a website.”