The closures affect stores in Longford, Athlone, Cavan and Monaghan.

One of the first Athlone volunteers, Anne McGrath, says it doesn't require any particular set of skills and people will be fully trained for a number of weeks before they answer their first call.

The information was supplied at a recent local authority meeting

Available today from one to half four in Carrick on Shannon.

Regional Infrastructure Delivery Lead, Eunan Canavan says the current overused system is not capable of holding excess water during heavy rain periods.

According to the Simon Communities of Ireland only one property was available to rent under the standard rate and that was a one-bedroom house in Kildare suitable for singles or a couple.

The Athlone Main Drainage Project involves the construction of new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West, and almost 3km of new sewers.

Fr Tom Healy's comments come following the official announcement that Cornamaddy NS in Athlone will move from a Catholic ethos to a multi-denominational one.