Clare Fine Gael TDs believe they can put a strong case to the Environment Minister for the restoration of almost a quarter of a million euro in withheld funding.
Both deputies admit they got it wrong when they encouraged Clare County Council to proceed with its full budget allocation in July on the basis that withheld monies would be return if the household charge compliance rate was boosted.
However they insist the information was given by Phil Hogan in good faith and are now seeking a meeting with the Minister to put forward a proposal that if the council reached a 75 percent compliance rate then the funds would be returned.
But Deputy Breen believes that in the overall scheme of things the funding reduction wont make a huge impact on council services
