Physical Development

responsibility in the delivery of Housing, Cultural, Sports and Recreational Services in the County which are represented in Divisions A and F of the draft budget 2020.

The Directorate has been and will continue to deliver housing solutions for those in need and 2020 will see a significant increase in activity in Local Authority self build in line with Rebuilding Ireland targets.

In addition we continue to work closely with the approved housing bodies who are invaluable in helping achieve Clare County Council housing targets. Present indications suggest upwards of 200 new dwellings will be at various stages of construction during 2020.

This Council is providing significant resources in the delivery of homeless services; during 2019 the Homeless Action Team (HAT) was established and the first family hub at Cusack Lodge opened. These services go some way towards addressing the experience of homelessness in County Clare. We are continuing to add additional services and facilities to further improve the homeless service in the County.

The investment in planned maintenance is beginning to deliver the benefits to tenants of this Council, by the end of 2020 this Council aims to be one of the first Local Authorities to be compliant with the statutory requirements of S.I. 137 2019 Minimum Rented Standards. The continued investment in the management and maintenance of our social housing stock is continuing to pose significant funding challenges. This challenge will increase over time as the housing stock numbers rise to meet the ever increasing demand.

The construction of the new County Library will commence in 2019 and continue during 2020 with a completion date in 2021. The completed facility will greatly enhance the cultural offering in the County town.

In addition we will continue to support and invest in the recreational facilities in the County to ensure Clare is recognised as a centre of excellence for sport and recreational facilities.

Physical Development

The Project Management Office continues to manage a wide variety of Capital projects throughout the County, as well as through Section 85 agreements with Limerick City and County Council in respect of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR) and with Tipperary County Council in respect of the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 Upgrade scheme.

The main Clare projects include: • The Ennistymon Inner Relief Road (Blakes Corner);

• Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme; • Shannon Town and Environs Flood Relief Scheme; • Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Projects in

Kilkee, Springfield, Kilrush and Bunratty; • N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Project; • N85 Realignment Project at Kilnamona; • The West Clare Greenway Project; • The Doolin Pier Visitor Services Building; • Along with a number of Minor Works Schemes, Coastal Protection schemes and feasibility studies.

We will continue to work throughout the year with the various Government Departments (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTaS), Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DoHPLG), Office of Public Works (OPW), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and other interested relevant stakeholders in achieving our aims.

A key focus of the Physical Development Directorate is to maintain and improve the condition of non-national road infrastructure through Department Grants and own resources.

The general design office is responsible for the delivery of projects over the next 2 years to the value of €15m for all directorates, including Ennis Digital Hub, Shannon Allotments, Lough Derg Blueway and Holy Island.

A key project for the emergency services for 2020 is the completion of the new Civil Defence Headquarters which began construction in 2019. It is expected that Civil Defence will be moving into their new Headquarters in Mid-2020.

Following a review where it was determined that the Maintenance Facilities of the Fire Service need to be upgraded, Planning Permission, Fire Safety and Disability Access Certificates have been granted for a new maintenance and storage building. A submission seeking Capital Grant Aid has been made for this development, with an estimated cost of €1.28 million. If funding is granted, it is intended to carry out this development in 2020.

Climate change is one of the biggest risks facing our communities’ physical infrastructure and social fabric which makes County Clare such a unique place to live. Clare County Council fully supports the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The Council will continue to work with other government departments, state agencies, communities and stakeholders in terms of climate adaptation and mitigation to respond to challenges arising from Ireland’s changing climate. In particular, environmental sustainability and climate action will be considered by the Corporate Policy Group and all four Strategic Policy Committees. Clare County Council adopted a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in 2019.