12/02/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: Let this Council and the public know the exact regulations for the new Tenant Purchase Scheme, as they have changed dramatically from the last one that was out. When we are sending out someone to value the house, the fee for valuation should not be more than €100.
Reply: It is hoped that comprehensive information/literature will be available for all tenants in the coming week. It is intended that an application fee will apply but no decision has been made as yet as to how much this will be. The purchase price of the house will be reduced by this fee amount.
12/02/2016-Killarney MD Meeting
Motion: That we would take immediate action regarding flooding commencing in the Foiladown area back through Glenflesk and Killarney to where the river enters the sea. We need to commence dredging immediately, despite laws and regulations as peoples’ homes must come first. The Council should contact the relevant bodies.
Reply: The OPW are the lead agency in regard to rivers in this country. The OPW states that the Riparian Landowner has responsibility for maintaining the banks of the river. It is a matter of Resolution by the Elected Representatives that the Council contract the relevant agencies in regard to this request.
12/02/2016-Killareny MD
Motion: That we Kerry County Council would continue to test Local Authority houses for radon gas and extend this to the Municipal District.
Reply: Kerry County Council will continue to carry out radon testing on newly acquired properties throughout the Municipal District. All existing Council properties have been tested for radon. Any remedial works required have been carried out.
12/02/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Kerry County Council would extend public lighting at Ross Road and Mill Road as a matter of urgency.
Reply: In regard to Ross Road there is a special development levy available to provide three additional lights. There is no funding unfortunately due to the current constraints on maintaining the existing public lighting network, including increasing energy costs, the Council has not been in a position to fund the increasing of additional lighting to the public network, expect in exceptional circumstances. In recent years the taking in charge of housing estates has increased our public lighting cots and there will be additional costs with the proposed taking in charge of other estates in the coming years. Under the provisions of EU Directive 2006/32/EC and S.I No.542/2009- European Communities (Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009, Kerry County Council is also required to make substantial reductions in energy consumption, including on public lighting. This will necessitate substantial investment in either retrofitting our existing public lighting network with more efficient lighting equipment and/or restricting the provision of new lights on the existing network. This is an issue that needs to be further examined in the context of the limited funding available for the provisions of all services. Any request to provide additional public lighting will need to be assessed as part of a Public Lighting policy, which will be developed through the Operations SPC, given the existing demands on the Council to maintain existing public lighting infrastructure throughout the County.
12/02/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Kerry County Council would write to the relevant Ministers regarding the closure of Homebase, Killarney and the loss of 30 jobs. This is due to close in May 2016.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
12/02/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: The we Kerry County Council would write to the relevant Minister requesting Solas to provide training on bus driving in Kerry. This training is being provided in other parts of the country.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
12/02/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: I am reactivating the Drugs Liaison Committee in the Killarney Area this month and I would like to know if the Killarney Municipal Area are interested in participating.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
12/02/2016-Killareny MD
Motion: That a Litter Warden is urgently required solely for Killarney Town and Killarney Municipal District.
Reply: The Traffic Wardens in Killarney in addition to their traffic duties, also have responsibility for enforcing litter legislation in the town and carrying out litter patrols. In 2015, a very small number of litter related complaints were received from the public in respect of Killarney Town, each of which were fully investigated. The small number is testament to the excellent voluntary work being done by various communities in the town and at business and Municipal level as well as the civic mindedness of its inhabitants. Outside of the town, in the wider Killarney Municipal District, litter related complaints are investigated separately by a full time Litter Warden who also covers the South&West Municipal District. Post the amalgamation, Kerry County has enhanced the Litter Warden service in the town by providing support services such as litter awareness campaigns etc. The town has featured well in all of the recent IBAL reports and continues to excel in the National Tidy Towns Competition and any relevant comments from the judges are followed up. While it is considered that a dedicated Litter Warden solely for the Killarney Municipal District is not warranted at this time, if there are any particular areas of concern to any of the Municipal District Members, we will have these investigated and followed up as a matter pf urgency. The Environment Section also undertakes to continue to monitor the adequacy of its litter enforcement resources deployed in this area.
22/02/2016 21/03/2016-Full Council-
Motion: That we the members of Kerry County Council would write to the appropriate Minister seeking their approval to allow planning decisions be made by the Local Authority without being restricted by T.I.I. (formerly NRA) recommendations.
Reply: Senior staff from the Planning Department have held a number of meetings with the NRA/TII in the recent past. Meetings between both Authorities were held during the preparation of the current County Development Plan and the NRA/TII made submissions during this process. A subsequent meeting took place between Planning and NRA/TII staff late last year where the issue of planning permission for residential development accessing National Secondary Roads was discussed at length. Since issuing by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government of ‘Spatial Planning and National Roads- Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ in January 2012, National Policy regrading the granting of planning permission for development involving the creation of a new access on to a national road of which would generate increased traffic from an existing access has become more restrictive. Since he implementation of the Kerry County Development Plan 2015-2021, a number of decisions by Kerry County Council to grant planning permission for residential development accessing National Secondary Roads have been appealed by the NRA and latterly, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) resulting in the decisions being over-turned by An Bord Pleanála (ABP). In recent refusals of permission for residential development accessing the N72 National Secondary Road, ABP has quoted the following reasons: (a)Traffic hazard (b) Contravention of Spatial Planning and National Roads- Guidelines for Planning Authorities, January 2012 (c) Contravention for policies and objectives of Kerry County Council Development Plan 2015-2021. Any development involving the creation of a new access on to the N72 National Secondary Road or which would generate increased traffic from an existing access on to the that road would contravene National Guidelines.
22/03/2016- Full Council Meeting-
Motion: That we write to the Minister for Education & Skills requesting that the Catholic Ethos be continued within our present Catholic Schools in the Kerry area. If there is a need to respond to the needs of our times, which I believe there is, steps should then be taken to provide separate schools to embrace those with other religions and beliefs.
21/03/2016-Full Council-
Motion: That we would write to the relevant Minister requesting more Gardaí for Killarney, as we have a severe shortage due to a lot of retirements in the past and they have not been replaced. I have raised this previously at a meeting of the Municipal District of Killarney.
Reply: Currently Killarney District (South Kerry) down 4 Sergeant and 14 Gardaí, figures from 2010 to current day. Killarney station has no community Gardaí, had 3 in 2010, this function now being done again, by operational uniform Gardaí. Also on weekly basis due to loss of numbers Killarney Station covering shortages in Kenmare and Killorglin despite reduction within Kilarney and Killorglin. Also during this period from 4 to 7am the car out in Killarney, must also cover Caherciveen and the entire South Kerry. This all reduces ability to provide a police service often delays in responding to calls and placing significant pressure on sergeants/gardai who are trying to respond to calls. Tralee and North Kerry got 10 extra.
13/04/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we, Kerry County Council, would provide a full time Litter Warden for the Killarney Municipal District.
Reply: The Traffic Wardens in Killarney, in addition to their traffic duties, also have responsibility for enforcing litter legislation in the town and carrying out litter patrols. In 2015, a very small number of litter related complaints were received from the public in respect of Killarney Town, each of which were fully investigated. This small number is testament to the excellent voluntary work being done by various communities in the town and at business and municipal level as well as the civic mindedness of its inhabitants. Outside of the town, in the wider Municipal District, litter related complaints are investigated separately by a fulltime litter warden who also covers the South&West Municipal District. Post the amalgamation, Kerry County Council has enhanced the Litter Warden service in the town by providing support services such as litter awareness campaigns etc. The town has featured well in all of the recent IBAL reports and continues to excel in the National Tidy Towns Competition and any relevant comments from the judges are followed up. While it is considered that a dedicated Litter Warden solely for the Killarney Municipal District is not warranted at this time, if there any particular areas of concern to any of the Municipal District Members, we will have these investigated and followed up as a matter of urgency. The Environment Section also undertakes to continue to monitor the adequacy of its litter enforcement resources deployed in the area.
13/04/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we, Kerry County Council, enter talks with the two property owners at the back of Dunnes Stores with a view to connecting a road that leads to Monsignor O’Flaherty Road exiting at the top of High Street.
Reply: Malachy Walsh and Partners have examined the potential benefit of constructing this scheme as part of the Traffic Management Study for the Town of Killarney. The draft Traffic Management Study is nearly complete, and it is hoped to make a presentation on the outcomes of the study to the members at the next Municipal District Meeting. If the Traffic Management Study indicates that there is a benefit to constructing this scheme, the scheme can be processed subject to available funding.
13/04/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we, Kerry County Council, would provide public lighting at Ballydribbeen from the bridge to the Celtic Field in the interest of public safety.
Reply: Currently due to the constraints on maintaining the existing public lighting network, including increasing energy costs, the Council has not been in a position to fund the provision of additional lighting to the public network, except in exceptional circumstances. In recent years the taking in charge of housing estates has increased out public lighting costs and there will be additional costs with the proposed taking in charge of other estates in the coming years. Under the provisions of EU Directive 2006/32/EC and S.I No 542/2009- European Communities -(Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009, Kerry County Council is also required to make substantial reductions in energy consumption. Including on public lighting, public lighting network with more substantial investment in either retrofitting our existing public lighting of network with more efficient lighting equipment and/or restricting the provision of new lights on the existing network. This is an issue that needs to be further examined in the context of the limited funding available for the provision of all services and the needs of the community. Any request to provide additional public lighting in the Ballydribbeen area, will need to be assessed as part of the Public Lighting Policy, which has been developed through the Operations SPC and will be presented to Council for consideration and adoption at the May Council Meeting.
13/04/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we, Kerry County Council, would write to the appropriate authority to have the speed limit from Raheen School into Killarney reduced to 80 km/h.
Reply: All proposed Speed Limit changes will be recorded and considered as part of the present ongoing Speed Limit Review. The Speed Limit Review Commenced in 2015 and will take 26 months to complete, having regard to statutory timeframes and extensive consultations.
13/04/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we, Kerry County Council, would overlay the streets in Killarney that are in need of repair and not with tar and chip but with the tarring machine.
Reply: Having regard to the damage caused to roads, particularly by the severe weather, some roads in Killarney were repaired using the Durapatcher. However, where the roads have a tarmacked surface, particularly the National Secondary network through the town, we will liaise with the TII for a pavement overlay.
22/06/2016-Full Council
Motion: That a full assessment be carried out by the relevant authorities into each suicide case in the Country in order to help with suicide prevention.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the members.
15/06/2016 14/09/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Kerry County Council would immediately put an effective plan in place to address dog fouling in Killarney area and we would also write to the NPWS requesting that they do likewise. This has never been taken seriously by any of these two bodies.
Reply: Kerry County Council have laid out a series of preferred walking routes for dog owners. There are currently 7 of these in Kerry Towns with dispensers for plastic and bins for disposal. Similar facilities are to be found at the 13 blue flag beaches. We can discuss the issue with the National Parks and Wildlife Service but ultimately they are responsible for what facilities are placed in the National Parks. It is the responsibility of every dog owner to clean up after their pets.
15/06/2016 14/09/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District would write to the new Director of Housing requesting a full-time Housing Officer for the Killarney Municipal District Area to be based in Killarney.
Reply: The Housing Department continuously reviews its staffing complement based on the needs arising relative to the nature of this demand led service. Our Investigation Officers are assigned defined geographic areas. At present there is an Investigation Officer allocated to deal with housing applicants to include the Killarney area. Applicants are met on an appointment basis in Killarney. All staffing requirements are reviewed as part of the annual budgetary process.
15/06/2016/14/09/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That Kerry County Council would erect fencing from Maple Drive to the green area and Fire Station yard.
Reply: Fencing can be erected at this location. However, no funding is available at present for these works. This would be suitable for funding through the Councillor Specific Municipal District Operation Fund.
15/06/2016-14/09/2016-Killarney MD-
Motion: That an update be provided in respect of works which have been carried out and works which are planned to prevent further flooding in the following areas – Foiladonn, Glenflesk, Fleming’s Caravan Park, Silver Spring’s Guest House, Hegarty’s Ross Road and all Fossa and Gap Cross areas.
Reply: Foiladuane: The area of interest has been surveyed. A design is currently being prepared and costed and if same proves viable, an application will be made to the OPW for funding to construct the scheme. The Foiladuane road will be raised from the N22 at Garries Bridge for a distance of 1km to allow for improved access during flood conditions. These works will be carried out in the coming week. Glenflesk Village: Glenflesk Village is located in the CFRAM project. A Flood Management Plan for Glenflesk Village is currently out to public consultation. Members of the public may make a submission / observation on the plan to the OPW up until 28th September 2016. Vegetation has been removed adjacent to the bridges along this section of the river. Excavation works at Glenflesk to unblock one of the eyes of the bridge will commence in the coming days. Fleming’s Caravan Park: The Flood Management Plan for Killarney Town which includes the Whitebridge and Ballycasheen areas is currently out to public consultation. The plan proposes a system of defensive walls and embankments. Members of the public may make a submission / observation on the plan to the OPW up until 28th September 2016. The final plan will come before the members of Kerry County Council in November. Should the plan be adopted by Kerry County Council, a decision on when the Killarney scheme is forwarded for detailed design and construction rests with the OPW and the Government. Other Areas •Works will commence in October to improve surface water drainage adjacent to the Crystal Springs Guest House. •Additional drainage has been provided at Fossa adjacent to the Gap Cross and towards the village. Surface restoration works will commence here shortly. •It is proposed to install a silt trap in Forest Close housing estate, Fossa to prevent the flooding that occurred there last Christmas. •Tree and vegetation removal has commenced on the ‘islands’ down stream of the Flesk Bridge. •A range of surface water drainage has been installed in the Killarney Municipal District in the current works programme.
15/06/2016-14/09/2016-Killarney MD-
Motion: That Kerry County Council would immediately re-instate the two lanes at the Cathedral Junction, one serving New Street and the other serving Port Road.
Reply: A design will be carried out at this location to ascertain the feasibility of creating an extra filter lane at this junction. This location has been considered in the current Traffic Study. In regard to the Traffic Management Plan, it is proposed to hold a workshop between the Killarney Elected Representatives, the Traffic Consultants and Kerry County Council to discuss all the findings of the report. The date for this workshop shall be agreed with the members.
15/06/2016-14/09/2016-Killarney MD-
Motion: That Kerry County Council would put Traffic Calming Measures in place at the ‘new entrance’ to Killarney National Park on the Muckross Road to facilitate Jaunting Cars crossing from the Car Park to this entrance.
Reply: Kerry County Council, in conjunction with the TII, will review the existing measures and signage that are in place at the first entrance to Killarney National Park on the Muckross Road to facilitate Jaunting Cars crossing from the Car Park to this entrance. Any necessary improvements will be considered.
15/06/2016-14/09/2016-Killarney MD–
Motion: That we write to the appropriate Government Minister and the Regional Manager of the Killarney National Park and Wildlife Services requesting that a Board of Trustees for Killarney House would be established, separate to that which exists in respect of Muckross House.
Reply: This is a matter for consideration by the Members.
14/09/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we would ask the appropriate authority for permission to move the electric telephone poles in St. Mary’s Terrace back by approximately 1 ft.
Reply: Kerry County Council will contact the ESB in regard to this request. However there will be a capital cost associated with this project and a funding source will have to be identified.
17/10/2016-Full Council
Motion: How much was collected from rates and all other charges in the Killarney Municipal District in 2015 and where was the money spent.
Reply: The Kerry County Council Budget is prepared and presented on the basis of providing for our various functions, and the provision of a wide range of services. These functions\services include housing maintenance, roads, development control, fire service, library service. It also includes services that provide a benefit to the overall economic and social development of the County such as expenditure on Blue Flag beach, Tourism Unit, Economic Development and Community Development Unit. It is also necessary to provide for co-funding of much of our capital expenditure from the revenue budget, which also contributes to economic and social development of the entire County. It is not possible to isolate expenditure that is funded by rates from Killarney Municipal District or any of the other Municipal Districts, as rates paid by all rate payers throughout the County and other locally sourced income streams are utilised to part fund our wide range of functions and services. Specific Municipal District expenditure is considered by members following adoption of the Annual Budget at the presentation of Schedule of Municipal District Works meeting. In addition, Killarney Municipal District considers its allocation for the Municipal District Fund as part of the annual budgetary process. This fund makes a contribution towards the significant capital plans included in the Local and Economic Community Plan adopted by members. All divisions generate income from grants and\or own resources, but such income is inadequate to fully fund the various services provided. Rates income, together with the Local Property Tax, provides the outstanding funding required. The rates collected for Killarney MD in 2015 was €10.1 million.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That Kerry County Council no longer accepts rubbish burning which is taking place in Ballyspillane Estate at present. 95% of the residents wish to have this problem addressed. This is very unfair on families that are living there.
Reply: Both the Housing and Environmental Services Departments will arrange to further investigate this matter. From our initial investigations it appears to be more an anti-social behaviour issue, which also may need to be referred to the Gardaí.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That Kerry County Council request the appropriate authority to open Armagh House to accommodate the homeless as this is the reason why it was purchased first day.
Reply: The availability of facilities for homeless persons in Killarney has been under review for some time. The property was purchased by Clúid with the support of Kerry County Council and the Department of Environment. The current proposal is to demolish the existing building and to construct a new purpose built building on site to provide supported accommodation to persons who are homeless. This plan has been sanctioned by the Department of the Environment and Kerry County Council are in discussions with Clúid Housing Association to finalise the design and apply for planning for the new development.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we Killarney Municipal District would immediately purchase a new road sweeper for our area, as the present one is breaking down very often and it is over twenty years old.
Reply: Kerry County Council are currently investigating the procurement of a new sweeper for Killarney Municipal District.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That we would write to Molam Health Care (Killarney Nursing Home) to request the removal of the security hut at the entrance to the Nursing Home as it is a danger to all using this road.
Reply: This hut at Killarney Nursing Home is located on private property, therefore it is a private matter.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: In the unlikely event that the proposed graveyard at Knockeendubh proceeds, please advise where the money for the proposed road at Knockeendubh is being funded from as we are already waiting for monies for the Parkhill area up to Clashnagrane. People in Kilcummin are waiting for over ten years for monies for these roads.
Reply: Subject to the completion of all legal and statutory provisions, (including the Part VIII planning process), on the proposed construction of the burial grounds at Knockeenduff, the Council will reassess the condition of the access routes, having regard to the projected volume of traffic that will be generated by the new facility. Any road improvements required can be prioritised for funding under the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport “Road Restoration Improvement Grant” Scheme, which is a matter for consideration by the members when considering the roads programme.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: Can the footpath in Tullig, Castleisland be provided for which a number of Councillors, including myself, have allocated monies towards. This should be provided as soon as possible.
Reply: The footpath works in Tullig, Castleisland are scheduled for December 2016.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: With regard to the junction at Cathedral Place/Mission Road, that we Kerry County Council would revert to the original design which was in place. The present design is slowing down traffic.
Reply: This location was considered in the Killarney Traffic Management Study. It was decided that delays and queuing would be likely to be reduced locally as a result of implementing a two lane approach to the junction. A design will be prepared for this location with a view to implementing same.
23/11/2016-Killarney MD
Motion: That Kerry County Council would resurface a section of road in Hazelwood Drive as it is in a deplorable condition.
Reply: There is no funding stream for resurfacing the roadway at Hazelwood Drive. However, it would be suitable for funding by Councillor Specific Municipal District Operations Fund.
12/12/2016-Full Council
Motion: That we, Kerry County Council write to the appropriate Minister/s regarding the Orkambi Drug as this Drug is not being made available to Cystic Fibrosis Sufferers. We request this Drug should be urgently made available.
