Galway Bay FM News Archives
New Minister comes bearing gifts
Date Published: 18-May-2011
By Denise McNamara
The Environment Minister Phil Hogan promised a new era for local government with increased funding and greater powers given to councils to foster community development and job creation.
During a visit to the county in which Minister Hogan was answering questions from Galway County Councillors, he announced funding of €7 million for the Clifden sewerage scheme with a further €2.8 million to build the Claregalway and Milltown sewerage schemes.
He later officially opened the Luimneach upgrade for the Tuam regional water sewerage scheme extension. He also opened the Headford sewerage scheme and the Gortmaoillar voluntary housing scheme in Athenry.
Addressing the chamber, the Minister said a lot of agencies did not always coordinate well when it came to job creation and there was a lot of duplication.
“The money should follow through the local government system down to community groups. You’ll see a lot more activity through the council. The county and city enterprise boards…should work more closely with local authorities,” he told councillors.
“I’ll be bringing in proposals to achieve more devolution. The financing of local government is the key.”
He said under the IMF/EU programme for funding household charges such as water fees would be ring-fenced for local government.
Outside the meeting, the Minister acknowledged there was a need for massive investment in services in Galway.
“There is a huge infrastructural deficit in County Galway in water and sewerage services. I’m very conscious of that,” he told reporters.
“We have to meet our water framework directives. We have to have good water quality in order to do business in order to create jobs. There is a very high value tourism product in Galway and Galway city as well, I’m very conscious of that.”
Construction on the Clifden sewerage scheme has long been delayed, with paperwork holding up the much-needed infrastructure to improve bathing and drinking water. This week’s announcement should see the project begin this year.
Tenders will be now be advertised by the council and a preferred contractor decided before the department gives its final approval. Minister Hogan told councillors his department just received revised design reports for Kinvara and Loughrea water supply schemes and is currently reviewing them.
He added that he expects the Costello Regional Water Supply Scheme to go ahead this year.
He met with county manager Martina Maloney and officials for an hour in preparation for a policy statement on local government that he will be publishing in the autumn that will address issues relating to the further development and enhancement of the local government system.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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