2008-05-08 17:59:13 - Thursday, 8 May 2008 - Mayor of Clare, Councillor Patricia McCarthy today officially opened Clare County Council's new Corporate Headquarters at New Road, Ennis.

Àras Contae an Chlàir, which has been delivered at a cost of EUR25m, provides accommodation for 300 staff, as well as meeting rooms, staff canteen, laboratory, Mayor's office, Council Chamber and 3 party rooms for the elected members. 320 car parking spaces are provided at the rear of the building.

The Corporate Headquarters building incorporates a number of environmentally friendly measures

and operates as a naturally ventilated building. Solar panels and a wood chip heating system have been installed. Following a tender process, Clare Wood Chip of Flagmount was selected to supply the wood chip for the building.

Mayor of Clare Councillor Patricia McCarthy said that Clare County Council had made itself more accessible to members of the public by centralising its principal services in one location.

Mayor McCarthy continued, 'Such ease of access to services is complemented by the fact that Clare County Council continues to expand the level and extent of services available to customers at its various Local Area Offices. Approximately six months ago, for example, the Council officially opened its new Area Office and Branch Library in Scariff bringing considerable benefits for the people of East Clare.'

Mayor McCarthy added, 'There is no doubt that Clare County Council will continue to play a very significant part in the economic and social development of the county. Because of the range of matters for which the Council is responsible and its closeness to local communities, it has a more immediate effect on the day-to-day lives of the people than most other sectors of public administration'

'I am confident that the effort and commitment of everyone involved in this project will be vindicated by the valuable contribution made by these new facilities to further improving the delivery of local government services throughout County Clare', the Mayor stated.

Sections of the Council were relocated to several sites around Ennis when the old offices on the New Road site were vacated in mid 2005. Following a tender process that generated a lot of interest from many of the country's larger developers, the firm of Michael McNamara & Co. Building Contractors was chosen as the preferred option to Design, Build and Finance the provision of the new building.

The contractors commenced work in January 2006. The first phase of the works involved the construction of a Machinery Yard Headquarters at Beechpark on the R474 Ennis-Kilmaley Road. Work on the construction of the New Headquarters has continued since the new Machinery Yard was completed in May 2006. Àras Contae an Chlàir opened for business on 21 January 2008.

Commenting on the new facility, Mr. Alec Fleming, County Manager, said that the centralising of principal services under one roof fulfils one of Clare County Council's key objectives, which is to provide public services efficiently and effectively.

Mr. Fleming commented, 'Rather than having to access individual services in different locations throughout Ennis, as has been the case for the past three years, customers can now benefit from a single service point.'

'I am very aware that if local authorities are to retain the public's approval they must continue to demonstrate that they can improve the quality of services being delivered. I feel that by providing a comprehensive range of services in one location, Clare County Council is achieving this goal', he added.

Mr. Fleming paid tribute to the contribution of Clare County Council staff who he said had put in considerable work to accomplish the move from various office locations throughout Ennis to this building in the quickest time possible, so as to minimise any disruption to public services.

'I would like to thank members of the public for their patience during the construction of this project. The cooperation of the public during this period of transition is very much appreciated by the Council. I now hope that, in return, Àras Contae An Chláir will provide them with many years of valuable service', concluded Mr. Fleming.

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:
High-resolution images of Àras Contae an Chlàir are available on request. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
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