Clare Council has confirmed it was awaiting approval from the government to carry out a range of accessibility works in 17 towns and villages throughout the county.

Finance totalling €371,000 has been allocated for the proposed works under the Disability Strategy Funding for 2009.

The prioritised works awaiting approval were identified as part of a countywide accessibility audit of all public buildings, facilities and amenities owned or controlled by Clare Local Authorities.

An integral part of the audit process was the consultation through workshops and at local level with the various stakeholders.

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Clare Mayor Tony Mulcahy said: "I warmly welcome the fact that the proposed works are spread throughout the county and include the provision of drop kerbing and tactile paving in seventeen different towns and villages.

"Elsewhere, improvements will be made to disabled car parking facilities at Drumcliffe Graveyard, and at Lahinch and Killaloe where the works will be carried out by Clare County Council staff."

Tom King, Chairman of Disabled People of Clare said: "I am delighted that the works included in the proposals awaiting Government approval have been extracted from priority measures identified in the access audit."

He added: "Especially in view of the difficult economic circumstances, I fully support and welcome the use of the Council’s own staff to execute the proposed works.

"In addition to assisting with maintaining local employment, the execution of these works will also provide training in terms of accessibility works."

(PR/BMcc)