Clare County Council confirms dramatic increase in spending on land purchases over two years

Clare County Council has confirmed that an astonishing €11,877,073 has been spent on purchase of land commitments in 2023 and 2024. 

This news came after a Notice of Motion was submitted by a multitude of Councillors, including Shane Talty, Joe Garrihy, Pat Hayes, Pat Burke, Tom O' Callaghan, Paul Murphy, John Crowe, Ian Lynch, Mary Howard, Rita McInerney, Joe Killeen and Bill Slattery. 

As part of the Motion, the Elected Officials asked for the Council to provide a breakdown of lands/property purchased in 2024, including details of property acquired, all associated costs and the funding sources of such. 

It was through this that the shocking total of nearly €12 million over the last two years came to light. 

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In 2023, €50,000 was given by the Council for housing land in Claureen and Ashline and just one year on, this figure increased by 3,305.92% as in 2024, €1,702,960 was spent on housing land in the same areas. 

Along with this, strategic landbanks in Kilrush, Liscannor, Bunratty, Lisdoonvarna, Crusheen, Kilkee and Mountshannon were acquired for €9,001,590 in 2023, which dropped significantly the following year when just €822,970 was spent. 

Infrastructural projects in Killaloe, Springfield and Quin amounted to €299,553 in 2023, with no further spending in 2024. 

Already costing Clare County Council €11,877,073, this figure rises even further as additional costs, such as stamp duty, legal fees and professional costs, associated with these acquisitions amount to another staggering €1,030,000. 

In a written response to the Notice of Motion submitted by 12 Councillors, Interim Chief Executive, Dr Carmel Kirby said, "The lands were purchased from own resources. Where approved, the costs are recouped from the relevant government department(s) as projects are progressed."