Galway Bay fm - News

Jimmy McClearn prioritises increased resources as Loughrea District chairperson

Newly elected Loughrea District chairperson Jimmy McClearn is aiming to increase council resources for the local area. 
Councillor McClearn has been unanimously voted as Cathaoirleach for the final term of the current council before next year’s local elections. 
The Fine Gael councillor promised at the recent meeting that he will be aiming to restore an engineer for Portumna, as there is currently just one shared between there and Loughrea. 
Cathaoirleach McClearn says it’s crucial there are enough staff and resources to achieve more for the district. 

O’ Cuiv demands reversal of means-testing rules for Rural Social Scheme

Galway West TD Eamon O' Cuiv is demanding the reversal of means-testing rules for the Rural Social Scheme. 
The RSS was introduced in 2004 and supports low income farmers who work for 19.5 hours in their local community. 
Deputy O' Cuiv said it's an amazing scheme  - but participation has dropped sharply since the rules were changed. 
He argued the means-testing must be dropped immediately - and we cannot wait for the results of a review due later this year. 
Deputy O' Cuiv says those taking part in the scheme are delivering expert results and they should get the full rate of pay. 

130 social housing refusals in Galway city in past two years

127 offers of socal housing were refused in Galway city over the past two years.
In 2021, out of the 395 offers, 63 were refused, while 258 were offered last year and 34 of those were refused.
According to the Irish Independent, over five thousand offers were refused nationally since 2021.
Assistant Professor of Social Policy at Maynooth University, Rory Hearne says living near family supports can be essential for some parents who struggle to afford childcare:

Call for urgent works to improve accessibility in Headford

There's a call for urgent works to improve accessibility in Headford. 
Councillor Mary Hoade says wheelchair users in particular are having an extremely tough time doing business, or taking up employment, in the town. 
She's hoping the matter will be given serious consideration in a traffic management study set to get underway in the coming weeks. 
Councillor Hoade says these issues need to be addressed urgently to ensure equal access for all. 

Fitzmaurice says myths around once-off housing must be ’put to bed’

Local TD Michael Fitzmaurice says myths around once-off rural housing must be "put to bed". 
Speaking during an Oireachtas committee debate, he claimed there's a "crazy gang" talking at the moment about such housing being unsustainable. 
But Deputy Fitzmaurice argued most of the arguments being made don't hold water. 
 

Sand Dune Fencing Project to start at Grattan Beach.

A new pilot project at Grattan Beach is being carried out to install sand fencing.
The project is being conducted by Galway City Council, in conjunction with the University of Galway and the Climate Action Regional Office.
It'll help develop nature-based solutions to manage sand dunes.
The fencing will be installed tomorrow (Mon June 12th) and will be removed in October.
Paula Kearney, Biodiversity Officer from Galway City Council, explains the need for this project:

New Martin Junction to officially open next week

UHG first centre to introduce nerve blocking probe for major surgeries

James Charity puts housing top of his agenda as Athenry-Oranmore District Chairperson

Councillor James Charity has put housing top of his agenda as Athenry-Oranmore District Chairperson
Cllr. Charity was has been unanimously voted as Cathaoirleach for the final term of the current Council before next year's local elections 
He was nominated by fellow Independents Jim Cuddy and Gabe Cronnelly
Cathaoirleach Charity is pledging to continue the Council's work in attracting and supporting employment to the area, as well as focusing on delivery of housing to support the jobs 

City businesses urged to engage with valuation office over inflated commercial rates

City businesses are being urged to engage with the National Valuations Office, Tailte Éireann, over inflated commercial rates. 
Councillor Niall McNelis says it's recently issued additional Proposed Valuation Certs to commerical rate customers in the city. 
But he says some have not engaged with the office, and have now received significantly increased proposed demands as a result. 
Councillor McNelis says in one case, a retailer is paying €30 thousand - and was told the proposed rate is now €90 thousand. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, he said businesses need to urgently engage to ensure the record is corrected before official rates are set next year.