Tournafulla cut off because of extreme weather conditions
EXTREME financial difficulties are being suffered by county Limerick residents as a result of below freezing temperatures and impassible roads, according to a local representative, who says that city people may not realise how bad the situation is for some in the county.
Cllr Jerome Scanlan, based in Feohanagh, has called for a cold weather allowance, similar to that in the UK, to be introduced for those receiving social welfare allowances, as a number of his constituents cannot afford to heat their homes in the extreme cold.
“There have been very serious difficulties with people not having enough money for essentials over Christmas and in the ongoing cold weather. “Normally, these people would have been frugal with their heating to save money, but in these temperatures they need to keep warm and have it on more often; particularly the unemployed, who are at home for most of the day.
“In the UK, they have a cold weather allowance system for those who are on social welfare, coping in these extreme conditions”.
Councillor Scanlan said that the St. Vincent de Paul and the local Lions club have been inundated with people looking for help in the cold, and he commended those who work in the charities for volunteering to help others.
“Another serious issue is that some people have been told that the Community Welfare Officers may not be at their desks today. People don’t realise how bad the situation is; CWO’s are the last resort for some people”.
The Post contacted the Newcastle West Health Centre on Tuesday and was told that Officers were all working this week but that some roads could not be travelled. The spokesperson said that Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West centres were open, but that Tournafulla was closed as nobody, not even delivery vehicles, could gain access to the village.
Councillor Scanlan has asked that grit resources for minor roads be maintained in areas of the county in the future, as many roads are inaccessible.
“We are having major problems with the roads. Although the council have done great work on the regional roads, the local roads have been neglected, particularly south of the R515.
“Last Sunday in Broadford, Ashford and Upper Dromcollogher, some roads were impassable and people were left house bound, including several elderly people. Thankfully, there is a great sense of community spirit and people have been checking in on their neighbours”.
Another problem that has occurred in the county is a lack of water due to resources running out and pipes frozen or bursting.
“Water supplies were cut off for some people in Mountcollins, Templeglantine and Tournafulla from Christmas Day to December 27. Taps had been left running to maintain the flow, which put pressure on resources, and pipes burst in some unoccupied houses with water flowing out the doors. The council did Trojan work to get water flowing again and diverted from Ardagh”.
Councillor Scanlan has said that there is media “propaganda” claiming that the weather has not been this bad in 40 years, and says that in 1985 and ‘86, there were similar conditions in the county. He called for grit levels to be stockpiled in preparation for emergencies such as this extended cold snap.
