The Housing Minister says he’s confident a ‘sustainable’ solution to the management of Shannon Heritage sites in this county will be found quickly.
Darragh O’ Brien has been travelling the county and meeting with elected representatives and senior officials from Clare County Council today.
Minister Darragh O’Brien is officially opening 153 social homes across the county today.
These include the Baile na mBan estate in Miltown Malbay, Cluain Gréine in Lifford, Cnoc na Scoile, commonly known as Ashline, here on the Kilrush Road and Cúinne an Bhroic in Tulla.
It’s understood the Council’s delivery of social homes here this year is ahead of its targets, with more projects across the county in the pipeline.
The Minister has also committed to providing Clare County Council with funding for affordable housing schemes in large urban areas such as Ennis and Shannon, and is awaiting applications from the local authority.
However, that wasn’t the question on the lips of many elected representatives and senior officials today, with Minister O Brien also being responsible for the Local Government portfolio.
Negotiations between that Department, the Department of Transport and Department of Public Expenditure, and the Council and Shannon Airport Group remain ongoing.
Discussions hit a snag near Budget time, with the Council asking for a multi-million euro fund to take over the management of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen.
Minister Darragh O’ Brien says any agreement needs to be a sustainable one.
Clare County Council’s CEO was among those who discussed the matter with the Minister today, and he says he’s confident a solution to the matter could be found before the end of this calendar year.
Pat Dowling is acknowledging the continued frustration of workers at the site.
He says work is ongoing and is hopeful of a positive outcome within the next two months.
Listen back to the full interview here:
