Covid-19 - service updates and Government/HSE information

Clare County Council wishes to advise of revised opening hours at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis.

On 29th April, the Taoiseach announced new public health measures, “The Path Ahead”, to continue the process of easing the very difficult restrictions on our lives.

The Mid-West Major Emergency Management Group is calling on the people of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary to use the Easter break as an opportunity to stamp out Covid-19 in our communities, so we can reduce the chance of outbreaks in healthcare settings, workplaces, our homes, and schools.

Clare County Council and An Garda Síochána are appealing to people in Clare to hold firm and keep up their efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Clare County Council is continuing to provide services in line with the current Covid-19 Level 5 Government restrictions to keep us all safe. In this regard Council staff are minimising contact in the way they are working.

We must work together to curtail the spread of Covid-19. This is a critical time. The current surge in infection is leading to preventable sickness and a very rapid increase in hospitalisations. We can all play our part. Hold firm and stay at home.

Clare County Council continues to provide key public services during the current Covid-19 pandemic. Council staff are working to ensure continuity of our essential and critical services across our key operations.

As of October 7th, 2020, the following opening hours and procedures will apply at customer service desks at Clare County Council office locations:

• Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and by appointment from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (access via car park at rear of building)
• Killaloe Municipal District (MD) office, Scarriff: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and by appointment from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• West Clare MD offices, Ennistymon and Kilrush: 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., and by appointment from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Shannon MD office: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and by appointment from 1:00p.m. to 4:00 p.m

The Government has announced that, from midnight tonight, all counties including Clare will be placed on Level 3 under the Plan for Living with Covid-19.

Clare County Council wishes to clarify that the Temporary Covid-19 Town Centre Mobility Plan for Ennis has been introduced solely in response to Covid-19 and in line with Government guidelines on social distancing.

The innovative work carried out by the staff of Clare County Council during the Covid-19 crisis will be highlighted on #YourCouncilDay, which takes place on Wednesday, 1st July.

The Clare Economic Taskforce held its inaugural meeting at Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis, today, 26th June, 2020.

New opening hours and procedures will apply at customer service desks at Clare County Council office locations from Monday, 29th June, as follows:

Clare County Libraries are delighted to welcome the public back to a number of libraries in accordance with Phase 3 of the revised Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, commencing on Monday, 29th June, 2020. 

To facilitate use of the public spaces in our towns and villages for street furniture provision in line with Phase 3 of the revised Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, Clare County Council has announced that all street furniture licence fees have been waived during the Covid-19 period.

Clare County Council is advising of a number of updates in relation to the opening and operation of playgrounds, sports facilities and library services, following the move to phase 2 of the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business on June 8th, 2020.

Community groups across County Clare are being encouraged to apply for funding under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. A total of €15m has been allocated to this year’s scheme, which is one element of a €30m package of integrated supports announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.

A Restart Grant, which will provide direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with re-opening and re-employing workers following Covid-19 closures, has been agreed by Government.

Clare County Council continues to provide key public services during the current Covid-19 pandemic. Council staff are working to ensure continuity of our essential and critical services across our key operations and have commenced the process of a phased reopening of all services in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

Members of Clare County Council have continued to fulfil their roles by working remotely during the ongoing public health crisis and maintain contact with relevant staff on a daily/weekly basis and at Municipal District (MD) level.

As part of ongoing efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, Clare County Council offices remain closed to the public until further notice. The Local Authority will continue to provide key public services during this period. Council staff will ensure continuity of our essential and critical services across our key operations

Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring has announced a €40m grant to aid the Covid-19 response of community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, with an online closing date of Wednesday, 20th May, 2020, at 5pm.

Clare County Council is co-ordinating a range of initiatives to support people to stay connected while the current Covid-19 public health measures are in place.

It has been agreed to postpone the May meeting of Clare County Council, which was due to be held on Monday, 11th May, in view of the current public health restrictions

Ahead of the May bank holiday weekend, Clare County Council and An Garda Síochána are asking people not to travel to parks, beaches or other amenities outside of the 2km limit.

Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council and Chairman of the Clare Covid-19 Community Response Forum, has expressed his warm welcome to Anthony Daly (usually known as 'Dalo') on his appointment to the Forum as Community Champion. 

An information leaflet advising members of the public of the new freephone number for the Clare community response helpline – 1800 203 600 – will be distributed around the county via An Post over the coming days.

ABC Nutrition, a Shannon-based manufacturer of sports nutrition, weight management and lifestyle nutrition products, has made a donation of almost 2,000 ready-to-eat food pots to the Clare Covid-19 Community Response Forum.

A video message from Clare County Council to stay home and not visit holiday homes or tourist resorts while the current Covid-19 travel restrictions are in place. 

The transcript is also included below the video. 

Clare County Council is acutely aware of the severe challenges facing business as we experience the unprecedented challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Clare County Council continues to deliver vital public services in the challenging circumstances arising from the Coronavirus Emergency.

Clare County Council continues to provide services during the ongoing Coronavirus health crisis.

Clare County Council has confirmed it will continue to make public services as accessible as possible during the ongoing international health crisis.

Clare County Council is continuing to provide a full range of services to the people of Clare during the ongoing health crisis.