More than 3,000 families and individuals in Galway are getting rent supplement – but a huge proportion of them have to pay ’top-ups’ to meet the actual cost of renting their home, according to a Galway TD.

Independent Deputy Noel Grealish said that latest figures showed that while there were 3,184 receiving rent supplement in Galway City and County at the end of March, only 155 were getting extra payments to meet the cost of renting.

“This means that a huge number of people are having to pay out of their own pockets the difference between what they get in rent supplement and what they are being charged by landlords.

“Currently, the most a family of, say, a couple with three children, can get in rent supplement is €750 a month – but that is falling well short of what the majority of properties are charging.

“The only option they have is to pay the balance themselves, even though they are not supposed to do so under the rules – and judging by the people who have contacted me about this, they are topping up by €100 and more a month,” said Deputy Grealish.

The Independent TD for Galway West said that even if an increase of up to 15% in rent supplements promised in the Programme for Government is extended to Galway, the maximum of €862.50 would still fall short of the rents charged for the cheapest three-beds in Galway City.

Deputy Grealish said that a study of properties advertised on the popular website daft.ie last week showed that there wasn’t a single three-bedroomed home available for rent in Galway City within the rent supplement limits.

“The cheapest three-bed on offer in the city – apart from the odd summer rental – was €950 a month for an apartment in Ballybrit and the same for a house in Knocknacarra, which is €200 a month above the maximum rent supplement.

“Any other three-bedroomed properties for rent in the city would cost at least €1,000 a month, most of them a lot more,” he said.

Deputy Grealish said that the same difficulties were faced by single people, couples and small families.

“There wasn’t a single property in the city available for longer term rent that cost less than the maximum rent supplement in each case,” he pointed out.

And the picture was not much better for people seeking suitable accommodation throughout the county.

“There are more properties available that are charging less than the rent supplement cap the further away you get from Galway City, but they are limited enough.

“And it’s no comfort to someone who wants to find a place to live near Claregalway that they could find a place that suits their pocket 60 miles away in Clifden.”

Deputy Grealish said that a realistic approach needed to be taken in the setting of limits for rent supplement.

Currently the limits for Galway are: Single (sharing) €280, couple (sharing) €300, single €475, couple €540, couple/parent with one qualified child €700, couple/parent with two children €725 and couple/parent with three children €750.

“In a place like Galway, where properties are scarce and rents are particularly high, we need to immediately raise the limits that are paid, and to a realistic level.

“The Programme for Partnership Government commits to raising the rent supplement ‘by up to 15%’ taking account of geographic variations.

“We need that and more in Galway if we are to be real about this – there are fewer than one in 20 Galway rent supplement recipients getting their payments boosted at the moment.

“It’s time we stopped turning a blind eye to what is going on, where families who are struggling are being forced to pay extra from severely limited means just to keep a roof over their heads.

“It might also help to stem the tide of families who are being forced to declare themselves homeless and become the responsibility of the local council to provide emergency accommodation,” added Deputy Grealish.

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There are calls to address the spread of Japanese knotweed across the city.
Sinn Fein city councillor Cathal O Conchuir told this month’s meeting at City Hall that the invasive weed is a threat to the local ecosystem.
He says it has been sighted across the city and along Threadneedle Road.
Independent city councillor Terry O’Flaherty said the weed is also dangerous to buildings and can go under foundations.
City officials advised that problems have been experienced with the weed in the past at the Millenium Children’s Park and the issue can be dealt with.
Councillor O Conchuir says it can take three years to eliminate it.

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A public meeting will take place in Spiddal this evening to discuss the Galway Bay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site.
The site was established off the Galway coast in 2006, and aims to determine the effectiveness of wave-energy technologies.
The public meeting will provide information about the test site, and future plans which include the submission of a foreshore lease application.
It takes place 8.30 to 10pm at the Park Lodge Hotel in Spiddal.

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A public meeting to discuss Donald Trump’s planned visit to Ireland this month will take place in the city later this week.
The ‘Trump Not Welcome Here’ event is being organised by Galway People Before Profit Alliance.
The group says if Trump becomes the next Republican President of the United States, his domestic policies would attack hard-won advances for women and would result in more war.
The meeting will take place at Richardson’s Eyre Square at 7.30pm on Thursday.

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A replica of a stone sculpted candle from the Circle of Life garden in Salthill is to become a new feature in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens.
The Salthill Circle of Life Garden aims to commemorate organ donors.
The replica sculpture of the garden’s stone candle is being gifted to the City of Belfast and the Northern Organ Donation Community by Galway Civic Trust.
Mayor of Galway Noel Larkin will present the candle at a special ceremony at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast tomorrow.

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20 new special needs assistants are to be provided in Galway schools.
The allocation brings the total number of SNAs operating in the city and the county to 720.
46 secondary schools in Galway are to benefit from 160 SNAs – up five from last year.
443 SNAs will work at 240 of Galway’s primary schools – an increase of 15 on last year.
Pupils at eight of Galway’s special schools will receive support from 117 SNAs.
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources and Galway West and Mayo South TD Sean Kyne says the new roles will come into operation from September.

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Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson will address a launch event in the city this week.
She will attend the Inclusive Centenaries scholarship scheme which is being launched at NUI Galway on Friday.
The scheme targets high-achieving school leavers who are living in or exiting direct provision, or who have refugee or other immigrant status.
Other speakers at the launch include former Justice Bryan McMahon, and Junior Minister for Equality and Immigration David Stanton.
The launch gets underway at NUI Galway’s ILAS building at 10.45 on Friday.

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A medical technology has announced that it is establishing a European manufacturing facility in Galway city which is expected to create sixty jobs over the next eighteen months.
The company is focused on developing and commercializing products using cooling technology, and will be based in the west of the city.
The U.S.-based company is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, where it also has Research and Development, Finance, Marketing, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities, amongst other support functions.
The company employs over six hundred people on a worldwide basis and its main product is fat-reducing ‘cool sculpting’.
In addition to manufacturing, ZELTIQ will locate other functions in Galway to support the Manufacturing operations.
The project is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland.

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A plan to locate a replica of the historic St MacDara’s island church on the mainland in Carna in Connemara next month has been stalled.
Students from the internationally renowned Bartlett School of Architecture in London have been told by Galway County Council that they are not allowed to erect the structure – which was part of their studies – without planning permission.
St MacDara and his monks built the oratory on the island west of the Carna coast 1200 years ago. It is maintained by the Office of Public Works and the pilgrimage there attracts large crowds on the 16th of July.
In the fullness of time, a world renowned School of Architecture happened on the story.
Students in the Bartlett School of Architecture in London decided they would build a replica of the island oratory from light weight materials at Mace Pier in Carna. It would be removable and part of their studies.
It was to be in place this July.
However, Galway Co Council has now said it would not be exempt from planning – the reasons being environmental and SACs.
A full planning application would be needed before a decision was made and there is no time for that, even if the Bartlett School wanted to proceed.

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Work on upgrading Leenane’s water treatment plant is expected to finish ahead of schedule.
A boil water notice was imposed on the area last summer (07/15) due to cryptosporidium fears and remains in place.
Irish Water is currently engaged in works to upgrade the public water supply scheme.
The upgrade of the water treatment plant in Leenane will improve water quality for over 200 people in the area.
Irish Water says works are due to be complete well ahead of the scheduled date of the end of August.
Following completion of the work, there will be a limited process-proving period during which stringent testing will be carried out.
This is a requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency and the HSE, which decides when a boil water notice can be lifted.
Customers of Leenane Public Water Supply are being advised that there may be some discolouration of the water over the coming weeks as part of the upgrade.
The boil notice remains in place and all water must be boiled before use for washing food, drinking, ice or brushing teeth.

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Galway carers are concerned that new pay-by-weight bin charges due to be introduced next month will cause an unsustainable financial burden.
The new system aims to encourage recycling and the separation of waste materials and will mean waste companies will no longer be allowed to charge an annual flat rate.
Tuam area councillor Pete Roche says the charges will prove excessive for carers of the elderly and of small children where incontinence is a part of daily life.
The Fine Gael councillor says such a condition generates high volumes of weekly waste which is unavoidable.
He’s calling for the introduction of concessions for carers of the elderly and for homes with young children.

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Householders across Galway made an average theft claim of just over €3,200 on their house insurance last year.
Theft claims cover the cost of damage to the home and items stolen during a burglary.
The latest survey by AA Home Insurance shows that homes in Wexford, Louth, Meath and Longford had the highest value theft claims on their house insurance last year.
Galway’s average claim during 2015 was €3,233, just below the national average of €3,500.

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A new working group is to be set up in a bid to secure permission for the upgrade of the N59 between Maam Cross and Clifden.
An Bord Pleanala has recently denied permission for the long-awaited upgrade due to environmental concerns.
The section of the route between Oughterard and Maam Cross has already been given the green light with strict conditions – which aim to protect the pearl mussel and special habitats.
A high-level meeting has taken place between Gaeltacht Minister and Galway West/South Mayo TD Sean Kyne, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, County Council officials and Galway Oireachtas members.
Following the meeting, the County Council and the NPWS have agreed to set up a working group to work on the issues facing the project.
Minister Kyne says he’s hopeful the project will eventually get the go-ahead, as it will improve accessibility for locals and visitors.

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A Fianna Fáil politician says it is a “disgrace” the Galway versus Mayo senior football championship match isn’t available on terrestrial television.

The provincial semi-final match will be shown live on Sky Sports, and not free-to-air stations, RTÉ or TV3, this Saturday with a 7pm throw-in.

Galway City Councillor Ollie Crowe, who is travelling to the game, said the GAA has “let fans down” by this deal.

“It’s an absolute disgrace,” he thundered.

“They have no regard for supporters. They say that this Sky deal is for immigrants but that’s rubbish – Setanta has these matches for people living in the UK and US.

“This is just pure greed from the GAA. It’s money, money, money and that’s all they care about. Sure they’ll charge you a tenner going into a Junior C match,” said Cllr Crowe.

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Planners have given the go-ahead for the overhaul of the historic Island House on Gaol Road – despite concerns from the city’s Heritage Officer that it entailed a “brutalist approach”.

Jim Higgins said the Protected Structure would be “architecturally butchered” by the plans, which would involve the loss of original limestone walling, the addition of ugly features and materials.

Developer Georgina O’Mahony of Moralto Investments Ltd had sought permission for extensive works to the late 19th century warehouse behind the Cathedral.

Heritage Officer Jim Higgins said: “This proposal is a brutalist approach to a Protected Structure which has a pleasing and uniform character and which would be architecturally butchered by this proposed intervention.

“The emphasis on Nuns Island, Cathedral Square should be on valuing and enhancing the collection of industrial archaeological value and interest.

“This proposal would destroy a significant element among a wider group of important buildings with a significant social and working history,” said Mr Higgins.

For more on this story and the plans for redevelopment, see this week’s Galway City Tribune

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NAMA says it may not be viable to develop the vacant Crown Square site in Mervue without loosening planning restrictions on it.

NAMA-appointed receivers of the site have asked city planners to relax rules capping the number of houses and apartments that can be built on the 12.65-acre site.

The draft City Development Plan 2017-2023 says: “Any residential component, either houses or apartments, shall comprise no more than 20% of the overall floor area of the development.”

But joint receivers, Kieran Wallace and Patrick Horkan, acting for the National Asset Management Agency, want this 20% residential cap removed.

In a submission to planners, they have urged them to remove the residential cap, although this is being resisted by locals.

“There is huge concern about this,” a Monivea Road residents’ representative said.

“When this site was sold years ago, a lot of work was put into restricting heights and putting caps on residential for this site. These restrictions were put into the development plan, and for good reason. We lobbied hard to get them.”

For more on the proposals and residents’ opposition, see this week’s Galway City Tribune

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Plans to provide accommodation for nearly 150 students at the Fairgreen have been lodged with Galway City Council.

The new owners of the site also plan to add five coach parking spaces to the private coach station – which serves GoBus and Citylink.

Telecoms millionaire Michael Maye, who is originally from Galway, has sought permission through his development vehicle Cwc Webworks Ltd (Connaught and Whitehall Capital) to develop the six-storey ‘void’ which currently exists alongside the private coach station.

The company is now planning to replace previously-approved apartments with a total of 46 units in a managed student accommodation complex.

Each unit will contain between one and six bed spaces, and there will be beds for a total of 147 students in five storeys above ground level.

For more on the plans, and the grant for a major student accommodation development in Bohermore, see this week’s Galway City Tribune

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The Galway 2020 team has submitted it’s final 100-page bid document to become the European Capital of Culture 2020.
The submission is the first step in what’s being described as a crucial five weeks for Galway’s bid – with a delegation of judges set to visit the county on Monday July 11th.
A representative team of 10 people from Galway will then travel to Dublin on Thursday July 14th to present the bid to a jury of 10 European judges.
The result of the bid will be announced the following day.
The Galway 2020 team is urging people to support the bid as it enters its final stages – and ensure the judges are left in no doubt about the passion, energy and enthusiasm in Galway for the title.

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A new report has revealed that Galway adults with the best prospects of marriage are those living in the Rockbarton area.
That’s according to the latest report from the Iona Institute, which outlines the social factors which influence a person’s decision to marry.
The ‘Mind the Gap’ report shows that marriage rates in the Rockbarton, Taylor’s Hill, Newcastle, Barna, Knocknacarra, Ballybrit and Renmore areas are as high as 53 percent.
Those living in the city centre area are the least likely to marry – the marriage rate for the city centre area is as low as 19 percent in places.
On average, between 30 and 40% of Galway city residents choose to get married.
The ‘Mind the Gap’ study also claims that the increasing proliferation of lower-paid, insecure jobs have had an impact on people’s financial ability to get married.
The Iona Institute is concerned that it may make more financial sense for two people on social welfare to remain single than to marry.

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A Galway Fine Gael TD has vowed to continue the fight for a replacement hospital for UHG despite her Health Minister saying it’s not on the cards.
Deputy Hildegarde Naughton says a replacement hospital for UHG will be a top priority while she serves on a new Oireachtas healthcare committee.
Deputy Naughton has been chosen to sit on the special Oireachtas Committee on the Ten Year Plan for the Future of Healthcare.
The cross-party committee is tasked with mapping out the future of the health service over the next decade – and it’s expected that a report will be compiled within six months.
Deputy Naughton says that the current system is based on ‘fire-fighting’ exercises rather than an overall vision of how the service should function.
She’s citing the current situation at UHG as a perfect example – and says a replacement hospital will be her top priority as a member of the special committee.
The assertion follows a statement from Minister Simon Harris in the Dail last month – that there are no plans for a new hospital, and continued investment in UHG must be considered going forward.
Deputy Naughton says UHG is a priority – but the ultimate goal is to help build a vision for a health service both patients and staff can be proud of.

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