ClarinaBallybrown

CommunityCouncil

Section2CommunitySurvey

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2.

COMMUNITYSURVEY.............................................................................................................1
PROFILEOFRESPONDENTS..........................................................................................................................1
LENGTHOFTIMELIVINGINTHEAREA............................................................................................................2
SATISFACTIONWITHLOCALAMENITIES..........................................................................................................2
Socialandrecreationalfacilities.....................................................................................................3
Sportsfacilities................................................................................................................................3
EnterpriseWorkspace.....................................................................................................................4
Villageandruralrenewal................................................................................................................4
Areasforimprovement...................................................................................................................5
COMMUNITYSPIRIT...................................................................................................................................6
Doyoufeelpartofthecommunity?................................................................................................6
Howsatisfiedareyouwiththeareaasaplacetolive?..................................................................7
Doyoufeelreliablyinformedofcommunityactivities?..................................................................8
INVOLVEMENTWITHLOCALGROUPS.............................................................................................................8
Areyouamemberofanylocalgrouporcommittee?.....................................................................8
Areyouinterestedinbecomingavolunteer?.................................................................................9
OTHERFEEDBACKANDCOMMENTS............................................................................................................10
Newsletters...................................................................................................................................10
Groups,societiesandactivities.....................................................................................................10
Traffic,roadsandlighting.............................................................................................................11
Busstop.........................................................................................................................................11
Neworimprovedfacilities............................................................................................................11
Visualimprovements.....................................................................................................................12
Othercomments...........................................................................................................................13
BUSINESSSURVEY...................................................................................................................................14
Lengthoftimeinbusiness.............................................................................................................14
Numbersemployed.......................................................................................................................14
Connectiontothecommunity.......................................................................................................15
Informedofcommunityactivities.................................................................................................15
Memberoflocalgrouporcommittee...........................................................................................16
OTHERFEEDBACKANDCOMMENTS............................................................................................................16

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Page1

Community Survey

InMay,2011,theCommunityCouncilcarriedoutasurveyofthelocalcommunity.Intotal,the
responses represented the views of 240 residents from a variety of ages. A summary of the
resultsandfeedbackfromthesurveyisprovidedbelowandonthefollowingpages.

Profile of respondents

Responsescamefromawidevarietyofages,butwiththelargestresponsecoming,asexpected,
fromthoseinthe2564yearsagegroup.

Ageofrespondents
40%
40%
35%
30%

25%

25%
20%
15%

13%

12%

11%

10%
5%
0%
014years

1524years 2544years 4464years

65+years

Returnswereevenlydistributedamongmalesandfemales,withaslightlyhigherresponsefrom
malesinthearea.

Maleorfemale

Female,46%
Male,54%

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Length of time living in the area

Interestingly, the vast majority of those responding to the survey were those who have been
livingintheareaforasignificantperiodoftime.96%oftherespondentshavebeenlivinginthe
areafor6+years,whileonly4%havebeeninthelocalityforlessthan5years.

Howlonghaveyoulivedinthearea?
88%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

0%
01year

8%

4%

15years

610years

10+years

Satisfaction with local amenities

An important function of the community survey was to identify the communitys satisfaction
with local amenities and facilities, and suggest areas for improvement within the village and
surroundingarea.Forthepurposesofthesurvey,theamenitiesandfacilitiesweregroupedinto
fourmaincategories,i.e.:

Socialandrecreationalamenities
Sportsfacilities
Enterpriseworkspace
Villageandruralrenewal

Therespondentswereaskedtorateeachoftheaboveintermsofwhethertheyfeltthecurrent
amenities are adequate or whether there is room for improvement. The results for each
separatecategoryaresummarisedbelow.

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Social and recreational facilities

Theserefertofacilitiesthatareavailableforusebythelocalcommunity,includinggroups,clubs,
social activities, etc. 73% of respondents felt that this was an area for improvement in the
community.

Socialandrecreationalfacilities
52%

60%
50%
40%

26%

21%

30%
20%
1%

10%
0%

Notneeded

Adequate

Moreneeded

Muchmore
needed

Sports facilities

Thisobviouslyreferstotheavailabilityofadequatesportsfacilitiesinthearea.Theresponsesto
this question reflect the general feedback from the surveys, which indicated that most people
are satisfied with the level of sports facilities in the area. In this regard, only 37% stated that
theyfeltmorefacilitieswereneeded.

Sportsfacilities
60%

51%

50%
32%

40%
30%
20%

12%
5%

10%
0%
Notneeded

Adequate

Moreneeded

Muchmore
needed

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Enterprise Workspace

Thisreferstofacilitiesaimedatsupportingenterprise,newanddeveloping,inthelocality.The
majorityofrespondentshighlightedthisasanimportantareaofimprovement,with77%stating
thatmoresuchfacilitieswereneeded.

EnterpriseWorkspace
48%
50%
40%

29%

30%
15%

20%
8%
10%
0%
Notneeded

Adequate

Moreneeded

Muchmore
needed

Village and rural renewal

This refers to improvements in the physical urban and rural landscape in the locality, i.e. the
village and surrounding areas. 83% of respondents stated that this was an important area for
improvement.

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Villageandruralrenewal
45%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%

38%

17%

1%
Notneeded

Adequate

Moreneeded

Muchmore
needed

Areas for improvement

Based on the responses to the survey, the overall feedback for each of the four categories for
improvementcanbeillustratedasfollows:

60%
50%
40%

Socialandrecreational
facilities

30%

Sportsfacilities

20%

EnterpriseWorkspace

10%
Villageandruralrenewal
0%
Not
needed

Adequate

More
needed

Much
more
needed

Combining the responses into two ratings, i.e. Adequate (combining not needed with
adequate) and Needed (combining more needed and much more needed), the responses
canbesummarisedasfollows:

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90%
80%
Socialandrecreational
facilities

70%
60%

Sportsfacilities

50%
40%

EnterpriseWorkspace

30%
20%

Villageandruralrenewal

10%
0%
Adequate

Needed

Theseresponses,inconjunctionwithcommentsprovidedbyindividualrespondents,havebeen
usedtoprepareaproposedActionPlan,discussedinSection4.

Community spirit

Regardingcommunityspirit,thesurveyaskedtwoquestionsoftherespondents,i.e:

Doyoufeelpartofyourcommunity?
Howsatisfiedareyouwiththeareaasaplacetolive?
Doyoufeelreliablyinformedofcommunityactivities?

Theaimofthesequestionswastogeneratearealisticpictureofhowpeoplefeelaboutthelocal
communityandthelocality.

Do you feel part of the community?

The response to this question was very impressive. 89% of respondents stated that they feel
part of the community, with 40% of those stating that they felt very much a part of the
community.

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Doyoufeelpartofyourcommunity?
49%
50%

40%

40%
30%
20%

9%

10%

3%

0%
Verymuch

Alittle

LessthanI
usedto

Notatall

These results are very positive, ranking very high compared with results from similar surveys
taken in comparative localities in other parts of Ireland. It has to be stated that the relatively
high connection between the people and the locality provides an excellent foundation for the
implementationoffuturecommunitybasedactions.

How satisfied are you with the area as a place to live?

Again,theresultsfromthisquestionshowagoodrelationshipbetweenthecommunityandthe
locality.Areturnof96%satisfactionisveryhighforacommunityofthissize.

Howsatisfiedareyouwiththearea
asaplacetolive?
60%

55%
41%

50%
40%
30%
20%

3%

10%

1%

1%

0%
Very
satisfied

Fairly
satisfied

Neither

Fairly
Very
dissatisfied dissatisfied

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Do you feel reliably informed of community activities?

Aswiththepreviousquestionsinthissection,theresponsestothisissuewereverypositive,with
alargemajority,i.e.63%statingthattheydidfeelreliablyinformed.

Doyoufeelreliablyinformedof
communityactivities?
No,37%
Yes,63%

A number of suggestions were made for improvements in communication, and, in conjunction

with other comments in this section by individual respondents, these have formed part of the
basisforthepreparationofaproposedActionPlan,tobediscussedinSection4.

Involvement with local groups

The survey invited feedback regarding the respondents involvement in local groups or
committees.

Are you a member of any local group or committee?

Responsestothisquestionstatedthat41%ofrespondentswereinvolvedasamemberonalocal
grouporcommittee.Thisisacomparablerateofinvolvementtothatindicated,onaverage,by
othercommunitiesinIrelandinsimilarsurveys,i.e.between3540%.

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Areyouamemberofanylocalgroup
orcommittee?
Yes,41%
No,59%

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?

Atfirst,areviewoftheresponsestothisquestionseemlargelynegative,with74%statingthey
werenotinterestedininvolvementasavolunteer.However,itshouldbenotedthat74%isa
verysimilarratetoothercommunitiesinIrelandatthistime.

Areyouinterestedinbecoming
involvedasavolunteerinthearea?
Yes,26%
No,74%

Furthermore, building upon the comments provided by the respondents, and the good
communityspiritinthearea,itshouldbepossibletoimprovethissituation,particularlywiththe
introduction of new activities and groups in the locality, as suggested in the survey responses.
ThisisdiscussedfurtherintheproposedActionPlanlaterinSection4.

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Other feedback and comments

When completing the surveys, a large number of the respondents provided other feedback,
commentsandsuggestionsforthedevelopmentofthelocalarea.Manyofthecommentswere
ofasimilarnatureandfocusedonissuesthatseemtobeofsignificantimportancetothelocal
communityincluding,forexample:

Improvementsininfrastructureforroads,footpaths,cyclingandlighting
Visualimprovementstothevillageandsurroundingarea
A playground to be developed in the local area (this was one of the most popular
suggestions)
RecyclingfacilitiesintheVillage,servingthesurroundingarea
Settingupnewclubsandactivities,toexpandrangeofinterestsbeingservedinthearea
Establishingandsupportingyouthactivitiesforthoseinthe1417yearagegroup

Asampleofsomeofthecommentsmadeonthesurveysisprovidedbelow:

Newsletters
Morefrequentnewslettersshouldbeprovided
Useacommunityemail
SendoutflyersaspartofnoticesinlocalshopsorannouncementsatMass
Haveacommunitytextsystem,i.e.SMS
ItwouldbeusefultohaveinformationaboutClarina/Ballybrownonline
Usetheinternetmoreasamediumtoinformthecommunity
Acentralinformationpointwouldbehelpful,e.g.localwebsite,etc.
Thecommunitycouncilnewsletterisverygood
TheinformationisconfinedtoBallybrownandnotacrossthewholeofClarina
Thenewsletterisgreatwhenwegetitbutitcanbeinfrequent

Groups, societies and activities

ReestablishtheCommunityAlertscheme
ReorganiseNeighbourhoodWatch
WeneedaNeighbourhoodWatchProgramme
LookintothepossibilityofinstallingCCTVatthemainpoints
WeneedaNeighbourhoodWatchorsomethingsimilar
Preparealistofcommunityandsocialgroupsinthearea,fordistributiontopeople
Starttrainingprogrammesforthelocalcommunity,e.g.stayathomeparents,55+age
groups,etc.

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Setupawalkinggroup,bookclub
Events tend to be driven by individual groups, it would be good to see them come
togetherasoneforacommunityevent
Organisemoreactivities,liketheCarrigogunnellclimb
Moreshouldbedonefortheelderlyinthecommunity
Establishadramagroup
Haveanoutdooractivitythathasnothingtodowithsports,togetpeopletogetherwho
normallywouldntdoso,e.g.treasurehuntbycar,barbqandmusicatcommunityfield

Traffic, roads and lighting

ImprovethevisibilityofthetrafficlightsatClarinaCross
Trafficcomingfromtownveryoftendontseetrafficlightsandmakenoeffecttoslow
down
TrafficlightsatClarinaCrossaremoreofahazardthanconvenience
Providecyclepathsaroundthevillage
Fillinthepotholesinthesecondaryroads
Theroadsaroundthevillagearetreacherousforpedestrians
Thestateoftheroadsisterriblearoundthevillage
AfootpathisrequiredbetweenFerrybridgeandBrickLodge
Betterroadsignageshouldbeprovidedontheapproachroads
Footpathsneedtobeimproved
TrafficcalmingisneededatFerrybridgeandalongtheline
Vehiclespeedlimitsneedtobereviewed
Weneedtheroad,footpathsandstreetlightingupgraded
AslowdownsignforpeoplecrossingattheBrickLodge
AproperfootpathorbarrierfromDoonsCrosstoClarina
ThetrafficontheN69isdangerous

Bus stop
ProvideaproperbusstopinClarinavillage
Abusstopshouldbeprovided

New or improved facilities

Provide a playground
Aplaygroundforyoungerchildrenisbadlyneeded
Akidsplayground
Weneedaplayground

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Areasareneededforchildren
Achildrensplayground
Thereshouldbeaplaygroundforchildrenintheparish
Morekidseventsshouldbeorganised;ifkidsarentgoingtoschoollocallythentheycan
feelleftout

Youth facilities and activities

Morefacilitiesareneededfortheyoungergeneration
Establishayouthcaf,hostingyoutheventsoccasionally,withregularmeetings
There is very little available for young people in the 1417 year age group outside of
sports
Kidsthatdonotplaysportsarepoorlyserved
Facilitiesotherthansportsfacilitiesneedtobethefocalpointofthecommunity
Developfacilitiesfornonteamsports

New Resource Centre

ThenewResourceCentrewouldbeagreathelpinthecommunity
Thesooneracommunityhall/facilitiesarebuiltthebetter
Thecommunitycentrewouldbegreatforthearea
Thereisnocommunityhall,weneedaCentre
Thenewcentrewouldbeanidealfacilitytolocateandpostinformation,aswellashold
meetings,functions,etc.
Provideclassesinthenewlocalhall,toincreasetheinteractionofnewparishmembers
withold
Thecommunityhallisgoingtobeveryimportanttothearea

Other suggestions
Thereisnopublicnurseinthearea
Clarinavillageneedsaletterbox
Thereisnoenterpriseworkspaceavailable,perhapsthevacantsitemightbeasuitable
location

Visual improvements

LobbyLimerickCountyCouncilregardingtheunfinisheddevelopinClarinaVillage
RemovetheauctioneerssignatthePostOfficeatClarinaCross
Moreflowerbedsandhangingbasketsinthenewandoldvillage
Carryoutmorefrequentrubbishcleanups

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A better awareness of litter blackspots, in conjunction with those involved with Tidy
Towns
Provideabinrecyclingarea
Providearecyclingareaforglass,paper,clothes,etc.
Cleanupthevillagedevelopmentarea
Thelovelyvillagehasbeendestroyedbythedevelopments
Theunfinisheddevelopmentisshockingtotheeye
UsetheareabetweentheroundaboutandBrickLodge,i.e.thewetlands,couldbeused
forwildlifeandchildrencouldvisitandbeeducated,etc.
Wereverydissatisfiedwiththeeyesoreleftinthenewdevelopment

Other comments

Thenewvillagedoesnotfeelpartofourcommunity
Thereisagoodfamilycommunityhere
Wonderfulareawithhugepotential
Iwouldneverliveanywhereelse
ItisconvenienttotheCityandisaprivatecommunity
Iwouldbewillingtodelivercommunitycorrespondenceinmyarea
Itisalovelyplacetolive,butthereisnotanadequatesupportstructureforthosewho
donotplaysports
Theneighboursareveryfriendlyinthearea
Becauseofthegeographicspread,itisdifficulttoknowthewholecommunityaswellas
apersonwouldliketo

The suggestions and recommendations identified have formed part of the basis on which a
proposedActionPlanhasbeendeveloped(seeSection4.)

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Business Survey

Aswellassurveyingthelocalcommunity,theCommunityCouncilalsosentasurveytothelocal
businesses. Despite the small numbers involved, it was very helpful to involve the businesses
andencouragefeedbackonthedevelopmentofthelocalarea.Asummaryoftheresponsesto
thesurveyisprovidedbelow.

Length of time in business

Aswiththegeneralcommunitysurvey,themajorityofrespondentswerethosewhohavebeen
basedintheareafor10+years.

Howlonghasyourbusinessbeenin
thearea?
60%
60%
50%
40%
20%

20%

30%
20%

0%

10%
0%
01year

25years

59years

10+years

Numbers employed
A total of 18 people, full and parttime, were recorded as being employed by the responding
businesses.

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Page15

Howmanypeopleareemployedin
yourbusiness?
50%

50%

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Fulltime

Parttime

Connection to the community

Thebusinesseswereaskedtoprovidefeedbackregardinghowcloselyconnectedtheyfelttheir
business is to the community. The response to this question was extremely positive, with all
respondentsstatingthattheyfelttheirbusinesswasverycloselyconnectedtothecommunity.

Howcloselyconnectedisyour
businesstothecommunity?
100%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%

0%

0%

0%

0%
Verymuch

Alittle

Lessthanit
usedto

Notatall

Informed of community activities

Themajorityofbusinessesstatedthattheywerereliablyinformedofcommunityactivities.The
remainingbusinessstatedthattheywouldlikeamoreregularnewslettertobekeptuptodate
withpotentialactivitieswithinthecommunity.

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Asabusiness,areyoureliably
informedofcommunityactivities?
No,20%
Yes,80%

Member of local group or committee

As with the general survey of the community, 40% of those responding stated that they are a
member of a local group or committee. This is comparable to other similar communities in
Ireland.

Areyouamemberofanylocalgroup
orcommittee?
Yes,40%
No,60%

Other feedback and comments

Whencompletingthesurveys,anumberofrespondentsprovidedfeedbackregardingthelocal
area,whichincludedthefollowingcomments:

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Page17

Amoreregularnewslettershouldbeprovided
Businesses should be more informed with regard to discussion topics that come up
duringmeetings
TrafficlightsfromClarinatoLimerickareveryrestrictivetoflowingtraffic.Traveltimeto
Limerickhasdoubledsincetheirintroductionatpeaktimes.
The Ferrybridge is probably the most dangerous bridge on the N69. The traffic signs
needimproving.
Thecleaningofthevillagebylocalresidentshasimproveditsimageandperception.
Thebuildinginthenewdevelopmentshouldbeecompleted.
Thevillagebadlyneedsahotel

Theresultsfromthebusinesssurvey,aswellasthefeedbackandcomments,formpartofthe
basisforthepreparationofaproposedActionPlan(seeSection4.)