Clare's elected councillors have voted to approve plans for a redevelopment of an iconic Ennis building. At this week's meeting of Clare County Council, councillors have given the green light to the Part Eight planning application for a proposed development at the Cloister at 49 Abbey Street. The local authority is now preparing an application for funding under the THRIVE initiative which makes up to €7 million available for the refurbishment, restoration and adaptation of publicly-owned heritage buildings within town centres. Director of Economic Development with Clare County Council Seán Lenihan is hopeful funds will be secured.

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Brian Flynn, who took listeners on a musical journey through his top 10 favourite Irish albums.

Last week, we discussed Ennis 2040 DAC’s decision to review its development plans.

The DAC has agreed to review the controversial Abbey Street and Harvey's Quay projects to determine if they're "fit for purpose" and "add value" to the town.

The two car park developments will be paused, in order to allow other projects to progress.

The Post Office Field project will also be reviewed as part of this ‘reset’.

However, the community group, "Hands Off Ennis Post Office Field” is still raising concerns over the project and has even suggested an alternative solution.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Martin Vernon, Chairperson and Tommy Guilfoyle.

Photo (c) Ennis 2040 DAC

A brand-new affordable housing development is set to come on stream in Clare in the coming months.

The local authority is accepting applications until March 31st for households interested in one of the 11 three-bed properties due at An Gallán Nua on the Lahinch Road.

The homes will sell for a minimum €313,500, which is €50,000 below the market value; however the discount available to successful applicants will depend on their household income.

Clare County Council Senior Housing Executive Padraig MacCormaic says they're already seeing huge demand.

It's hoped a vital wing of an East Clare nursing home will come back into full service in the coming months.

The Department of Health has confirmed that four short-stay beds at Raheen Community Hospital will reopen by the end of June, subject to a successful recruitment process.

However, frustration has been expressed over six long-stay beds at Ennistymon Community Hospital remaining idle, with the HSE understood to be in the midst of a recruitment campaign to staff them.

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says the process must be expedited.

This week is Fostering Awareness Week.

The week, which runs until Sunday, the 16th of March, aims to highlight the ever-important role of foster carers and those who support them within our local communities.

To chat about this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Principal Social Worker who oversees carer approvals and placement, Nora NiThuama.

Photo(C): kikkerdirk from Getty Images via canva

It's being argued that Ennis has failed to deal with parking deficits.

Following a motion he raised in November 2023 which found that Ennis had lost 159 car parking spaces in fifteen years, Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has this week requested an update on any further losses.

Ennis MD has said in a response that while some spaces have been lost to public realm works, Active Travel measures and Safe Routes to School projects, the new Cloister Car Park and Lidl store on the Clare Road will soon bring almost 350 spaces on stream.

Councillor O'Callaghan claims no efforts have been made to fix the previously identified parking space shortfall.

The Mayor of Ennis claims the ongoing debate around parking in the county town is "harmful" to its public image and will deter visitors. Sparks flew at this weeks meeting of Ennis Muncipal District as parking once again dominated early discussions. Following a motion tabled by Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan at a November 2023 meeting of Ennis MD, it was revealed that there had been a 9% reduction in the number of car parking spaces in Ennis over a 15-year period. In light of recent public realm works as well as developments such as the new Ennis library, Councillor O'Callaghan has this week requested an update on any further losses since November 2023. The response from Ennis MD states that the town has almost 3000 spaces and has one space for every 13 people living in it compared to one space for every 29 people in Waterford and one space for every 24 people in Navan. It also says that while some spaces have been lost due to recent developments in the town, almost 350 spaces will soon be added resulting from the Cloister Car Park proposal and the upcoming Lidl store on the Clare Road. Cathaoirleach of Ennis Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy, says she's completely at odds with her party colleague's view on parking in Ennis. Councillors Mary Howard and Paul Murphy echoed the idea that Ennis doesn't have a parking problem while Councillors Tommy Guilfoyle and Pat Daly spoke in support of Councillor O'Callaghan's motion. During the meeting, Councillor O'Callaghan referenced two reports published in 2008 and 2012 which identified a parking shortfall in the county town. He claims some local representatives are trying to ignore this problem and says "if there was a deficit then, there's a deficit now".

Could Seán Kelly be preparing to succeed Michael D Higgins in the Áras?

The Fine Gael Ireland South MEP is considering whether to launch his bid to be president of Ireland in November’s presidential election.

The Kerry native has previously been President of the GAA, as well as leader Fine Gael in the European Parliament.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sean Kelly.

A six-week Climate Course will take place in Clare later this month.

The course, which will be hosted by the Tidy Towns in Ennis and supported by the Clare County Council Climate and Age Friendly teams, will start on the 25th of March.

It is designed and provided free by Jacinta Barrins a retired United Nations Diplomat, where her lifelong career focused on the environment and climate.

To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Founder and CEO of 60+ Climate Drive, Jacinta Barrins and Councillor Mary Howard.