We recently heard on Clare FM News that businesses in Ennis could be facing major challenges this year, particularly in relation to the first phase of the public regeneration works of Ennis Town Centre.

Indeed, retailers themselves are concerned they could face a significant financial hit, as a result of the works.

Retailers are so worried about the potential impact on their businesses, that they believe Clare County Council “should look favourably on any request to put a moratorium on Rates payments for the duration of these works as this would reflect an understanding of the constriction of business that will undoubtedly ensue when the dig commences."

For more on this, on Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by John O'Connor, Chair Retailer of Ennis and Barry O'Driscoll from Precious Pets.

Newmarket-on-Fergus will play host to a mindfulness course towards the end of January.

The course, which will run for six weeks, will cover a variety of themes, while also exploring the concept of “imposter syndrome” and changing your inner voice to boost self-confidence in the workplace.

For more on this, on Wednesday's Morning Focus Alan Morrissey was joined by Founder of the course and Mindfulness & Positive Psychology Coach, Louise Lynch.

A mental health and wellbeing conference is coming to Clare next week.

The Hope Cafe in Shannon is the venue for the event, which is due to take place on the 12th of January.

For more on this, Alan was joined by Dr. Mary Honan. Mary is an Author, Podcaster, Researcher and key-note speaker. Pat Barry, who is the new independent candidate for Shannon Municipal district elections 2024 also joined the chat.

Clare's Social Housing Chair claims a county-wide evaluation will be required to determine the most suitable method of providing accommodation in the county.

It comes as the local authority has just received approval for the construction of ten affordable homes in Shannon, while the construction of a further 10 units in Ennis is pending.

As it stands, Clare County Council has received over 800 expressions of interest for affordable housing, while more than 2,700 households remain on the social housing list.

Shannon Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn says more help is needed from Cabinet to make home ownership here a possibility.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch & Joe Garry look ahead to Clare v Cork in the opening round of the 2024 McGrath Cup

A Kilkee councillor is hopeful the potential construction of new wastewater infrastructure in West Clare will finally bring water pollution problems to an end.

It comes as Clare County Council has erected a site notice stating Uisce Éireann's intention to build a wastewater treatment plant on a 4.56 hectare sites in the townlands of Kilkee Lower and Foohagh, Kilkee.

The popular surfing destination has long been associated with raw sewage discharge, with the EPA reporting last March that the seaside town is responsible for 1,800 tonnes of raw sewage being released into the ocean daily.

Kilkee Fianna Fáil Councillor Cillian Murphy believes it's high time a treatment facility comes on stream to restore the area's environmental reputation.

It's claimed Clare people looking to buy a home will have to deal with an influx of people wanting to move into the county.

Daft.ie’s House Price Report for the last quarter of 2023 shows the median price of a house in this county is now nearly €243,000.

Larger households looking for a forever-home appear to be taking the brunt of the price rise with an average five bed detached house in Clare increasing over 13% over the last year to €337,000.

Report Author and Economist, Ronan Lyons says although the second-hand market is tight, people shouldn't be caught by surprise by any more competition.

A Clare Councillor and Motorsport Enthusiast insists that bringing the World Rally Championships to the MidWest would be hugely beneficial for this county.

On Thursday, Limerick Motorclub in association with the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau will present their bid to host the prestigious event in 2025.

If successful, Limerick Racecourse would be transformed into a 10,000 square metre service park and international media centre as well as the WRC fan zone for the duration of the competition, which Ireland is expected to host for three years.

More than 250,000 spectators are expected to travel from overseas for the event and it is hoped the Treaty's proximity to Shannon Airport and motorway infrastructure will bolster its chances.

Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan who's been involved with rallying for over thirty years says its highly likely that a stage in Clare would be included.

Local representatives across Clare have been setting out their priorities for the coming year as local election preparation begins.

In Shannon, continuing to confront anti-social behaviour and petty criminality has been highlighted as an area of importance for the coming year.

A special meeting was held last April to discuss reports of broken windows, verbal abuse, stones being thrown at properties and cars set on fire in the Brú na Sionna apartment complex.

While these issues are said to have died down to a significant degree, Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District and Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan says co-operation between the council, Gardaí and the property management company will be key to stamping them out once and for all.

Looking at the county town, the proposed construction of a multi-storey mixed-use development on the site of the Abbey Street car park has been hotly contested since the announcement of the project under the Ennis 2040 plan.

Although the designated activity company's director has stated that extensive public consultation will take place before any works begin, doubts remain with some over the logic behind the development.

Mayor of Ennis and Fianna Fáil veteran Pat Daly is of the opinion that there are other sites better-suited to such a building.

Local representatives in Clare say home ownership will not be a reality for many of this county's residents until affordable housing is made available to all areas.

It comes as construction is set to get underway on an affordable housing development on Francis Street, Ennis in the coming weeks.

With local elections fast approaching, councillors in this county are setting out their stalls for their chief priorities in 2024.

Housing is unsurprisingly an area of particular focus in many areas and calls have been made for affordable housing schemes to be made available throughout Clare's towns and villages.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District and Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch believes people buying houses in his region should be assisted by the local authority.

Last October, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien revealed that the government is "open" to extending the schemes, which are currently only available in Shannon and Ennis, to all areas of this county.

Minister O'Brien's Fianna Fáil colleague Maghera Councillor Pat Hayes insists that in addition to the existing schemes in place, the government must implement new systems to streamline the home building and purchasing processes.