Public Information Event On Planning And Development Blueprint For Clare

Members of the public in County Clare are being urged to provide input on the finalising of a 7-year strategy outlining the proper planning and sustainable development of County Clare.

A public information and consultation session relating to the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 will take place at Àras Contae an Chláir in Ennis from 1.00pm to 5.30pm on Monday 15th February 2010. The information event forms part of a 10-week public consultation period during which members of the public are invited to view and make submissions to the Plan, which was last month unanimously approved by members of Clare County Council following a year-long review process.

The Draft Plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the functional area of Clare County Council up to 2017.

Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy is urging members of the public to take the opportunity to view the Draft Plan, which is currently on public display, and to attend the upcoming information session.

The Mayor says the primary goal of this Plan is to position County Clare as a driver for local and regional growth through harnessing the potential of its unique location, quality of life, natural resources and other competitive advantages. “Ultimately, the Plan seeks to make County Clare a better place to live in, work and visit. The process of making development plans must be open, transparent and most importantly, inclusive. We urge all interested individuals and organisations to avail of the opportunity over the next few weeks to comment or make submissions for consideration by Clare County Council”, he added.

Speaking today Brian McCarthy, Senior Executive Planner stated: “It is important for members of the public and communities throughout Co. Clare to have their say in the future of the County. The consultation event will be an opportunity for people to examine the Draft County Development Plan 2011 – 2017 and meet Council staff on a one to one basis who can answer any questions they may have. We would also value the attendance of representatives from community groups who we appreciate do a lot of hard work in their respective areas.”

The Draft Clare County Development Plan 2011-2017 is available in public offices, libraries and on the internet at www.clarecoco.ie. Written submissions are invited up to 6th April. At the end of the public consultation period, the Manager’s Report on any issues arising will be prepared and submitted to Members in June 2010.

Irish Family Carers Participate In European Research Project

Over 100 Family Carers throughout Ireland are actively participating in a European Commission research project aimed at improving training systems and good practices in the provision of care in the home.

Ireland’s participation in the Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013, the Leonardo da Vinci Cosefamie Project is now entering its second year with partners from France, Corsica, Italy, Sicily, Slovakia, Belgium and Spain.

The programme’s lead Irish agency, Caring for Carers Ireland says it hopes to double the number of Irish carers participating in the project in 2010 by holding a series of workshops throughout the country.

According to Brigid Barron, Innovation and Programme Manager, Caring for Carers Ireland: “We hosted a European Conference in Ennis last year from where a grid of skills was identified by our European partners and employers as prerequisites for the employability of Family Carers. It was acknowledged that to equip Family Carers with these skills an improvement in the quality of education generally is to be welcomed. Many Family Carers may have to leave the labour market prematurely or may not have the necessary training to reintegrate into the workforce.”

“Family Carers need to make additional efforts, not just on the job front, but also socially and psychologically, in order to have a chance of competing with those more fortunate than themselves and thus to boost their options of employment and harmonious living in society. Consequently, the Leonardo da Vinci programme continues to focus on vocational education and training to improve quality, foster innovation and promote the European dimension of training systems and good practices in the provision of care in the home. The requirements of today's challenging labour market constantly calls for updating of knowledge and professional skills so, more than ever, life-long learning is essential for everyone”, she added.

Meanwhile, Family Carers interested in participating in the Project and discussing issues affecting the sector are being invited to attend Caring for Carers Ireland 19th Annual Respite Weekend & Conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel Galway on 26th to 28th February 2010.

Over 500 carers group members from all over the island of Ireland have so far confirmed their attendance at the Conference, entitled ‘Sustaining Long Term Carers: A Fair Deal for Family Carers?’. Speakers scheduled to address the Conference include Minister Áine Brady TD, Dept. Health & Children; Paschal Moynihan, Director Services for Older People HSE West “Fair Deal”; Marian Harkin MEP; Minister Eamon O’Cuív; Dept. Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; and Prof. Joyce O’Connor, Patron Caring for Carers Ireland, Chair of the Digital Hub and Dublin Inner City Partnership, and former President of the National College of Ireland.

According to Ms. Barron: “The objective of this conference is to set out the vision of Caring for Carers Ireland in relation to future policy. The debate will further a deeper understanding of and commitment to the development of an integrated and co-ordinated community care service. It will also acknowledge the Family Carer as a key partner in care provision, in particular long term care in the community”.

“The issues for discussion at this conference will contribute to the national debate on the future of caring in the community and strategy to support a fair and equitable system for Family Carers in challenging times”, she concluded.

Caring for Carers Ireland, is a is a national non-governmental organisation supporting Family Carers. Its primary objective is to ensure that policy makers are aware of the key issues which impact on the lives of 161,000 Family Carers and influence their abilities to continue to provide care.

For further information on the Leonardo da Vinci Cosefamie Project or the Caring for Carers Ireland 19th Annual Respite Weekend & Conference visit www.caringforcarers.org or contact 065-6866515.

Above Image: Irish and European members of the Leonardo da Vinci Cosefamie Project pictured at a Caring for Carers Ireland hosted European Conference in Ennis in 2009. Sebastian Leccia Group lead partner ID Formacial, Bastia (Standing front left), Mary McMahon CEO Caring for Carers Ire.land (seated left); Catherine Souissi, Consultant, Conseil Développement Innovation (seated right); and Brigid Barron, Innovation & Programme Manager, Caring for Carers Ireland (standing front right)

The Big Freeze Set To Return To Ireland

All indications are that Ireland is set to see a return of bitterly cold conditions from the colder continent early next week.

Daytime temperatures are likely to be in low single figures by midweek and will struggle to rise much above freezing during daylight hours by the end of next week. Present indications are that the cold spell will last for at least five days before the Atlantic restores milder weather over the country.


Local authorities throughout Ireland will be keeping a close eye on the weather situation over the coming days and will be hoping to avoid a prolonged wintry spell that will put further pressure on salt and gritting stocks. Snow is likely at times but sharp to severe frosts can be expected.