Clare Community Response Hubs stood down following restoration of power and water
Clare County Council says the decision was taken following updates from Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks whose crews were deployed following Storm Éowyn
Clare County Council has confirmed its Storm Éowyn Community Response Hubs and community helpline have been stood down following the restoration of water supplies and electricity to homes, farms and business across the county.
The decision was taken following updates from Uisce Éireann and ESB Networks whose crews have been deployed across Clare since the departure of Storm Éowyn on January 24.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: "Clare County Council led and coordinated a local level response to the needs of people who were significantly impacted by Storm Éowyn through the helpline and hubs. The helpline was activated from 8am to 8pm to provide advice, access to a warm meal and connecting people with the supports available for the duration of the humanitarian response."
The local authority says it also reached out through the elected representatives, the PPN, local community groups and sporting organisations to identify people in need whose communication infrastructure was affected by the storm.
Dr Carmel Kirby, interim chief executive of Clare County Council, acknowledged the support of the community and the local authority members in responding to the situation and for acting as a further channel of information flow to the helpline and hubs.
“Clare County Council worked closely with other bodies in the region in responding to this unprecedented weather event. I would like to thank the ESB, Úisce Éireann, the HSE, An Garda Síochana, the Department of Social Protection and our colleagues in the Civil Defence for their work, dedication and co-operation over the last number of days," she said.
"We must also acknowledge the great work done by local groups, volunteers and businesses in responding to the need of neighbours and the wider community, and the hospitality sector which opened its doors in the immediate aftermath. Our helpline and services also relied on our elected representatives and community groups as a vehicle for information flow, reporting issues through our helpline, our hubs and other channels,” she added.
The five Community Hubs, which were stood down at 4pm this Wednesday, were located in Ennistymon, Kilrush, Flagmount, Tulla, Cross and Doolin/Lisdoonvarna.