Housing and anti-social behaviour were the main topics of discussion at the latest of Clare FM’s Local Election debates.
With just over a week to go to polling day on June 7th, candidates are competing for 28 seats across 5 electoral areas.
Six of the 15 candidates running in the Shannon electoral area have taken part in the first of two debates covering the South East of the county.
Listen to the full debate here. Continue reading below…
As the employment capital of Clare, with over 7,000 people plying their respective trades, the question of accommodation for workers has been central to the first of the two Shannon election debates.
In February of this year, Shannon firm Atlantic Aviation Group purchased the disused Jamaica Inn building in Sixmilebridge for the purpose of providing 36 en-suite bedrooms for employees.
Independent Councillor PJ Ryan believes other companies should follow suit to relieve the burden of rent on workers.
A 2022 study found that 10,281 homes in Clare are lying vacant, which equates to 18% of the county’s housing stock.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District and Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan says these properties must be put to use.
However, she fears encouraging large companies to buy derelict buildings would take properties off the market that otherwise could be purchased by first-time buyers.
As of this month, 222 households are on the waiting list for a social home in the Shannon area.
Former Shannon senator and Fine Gael candidate Tony Mulcahy says in order to boost housing stock, more land could be zoned on the outskirts of the industrial town.
Candidates have also voiced strong opinions on the subject of anti-social behaviour – a problem Shannon hasn’t been immune to in recent years.
Calls for stern action were heard last April amid a spate of criminality around the Brú na Sionna apartment complex involving broken windows, verbal abuse, stones being thrown, cars set on fire and public urination.
Clare Joint Policing Committee Chair and Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe insists every incident must be reported to the Gardaí if resources are to be brought on stream.
Clare County Council’s Estate Management Team has dealt with 234 complaints of anti-social behaviour so far this year.
In addition, Clare Gardaí have recorded 73 public order offences so far this year which indicates a rise of 6% on the same period in 2023.
Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil candidate David Griffin suggests deterrents such as better public lighting, as well as a stronger Garda presence, should be considered.
The Garda Commissioner and the Garda Representative Association remain embroiled in a dispute over proposed working hours, as well as pay and conditions.
This week, Gardaí have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new roster agreement which would end the dispute.
Cratloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O’Gorman says in order to stem the tide of anti-social behaviour, Gardaí must be looked after properly, which would in turn help to boost the numbers of boots on the ground.
Caherdavin-based Green Party candidate Fursa Kavanagh and Sixmilebridge Independent Conor O’Brien have indicated they were unable to attend the Shannon Local Electoral Area debates.
Clare FM’s local election specials air on Morning Focus each weekday from 9am, with the remaining candidates from Shannon and Killaloe taking part in the final two debates on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
