Local authorities must identify official bathing areas in their area every year so that they can be monitored for safety, water quality and their level of use.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2017 has recently been launched by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD and Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, TD. For 2017, there will be €20 million available in funding for rural towns and villages for projects nationally.

Environmental Awareness: Do you have a project or initiative that could help to increase awareness of environmental issues locally, or that could help your community to become more sustainable? If so, you may qualify for financial assistance from the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund 2017. This Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level.

The Housing Section of Offaly County Council has commenced a Social Housing Assessment in accordance with Section 21 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009.

A key component of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness is a new scheme, the Vacant Housing Repair and Leasing Scheme, which targets the delivery of social housing and also ensures that existing housing stock is used to the maximum degree possible.

On 10th March 2017 the Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne TD, announced a new €2m Capital grants scheme for disadvantaged urban and rural areas.

The Draft Edenderry Local Area Plan 2017-2023 is currently on public display from Wednesday 26th of April, for 6 weeks and submissions can be made until 4:00 pm on the 9th June.

Applications for community grants are invited from Community and Voluntary ‘Not for Profit’ groups, within the Municipal District of Tullamore, and which rely predominantly on fund raising and donations to operate.

National Revaluation Programme Update: Revaluation of commercial and industrial properties in County Offaly has been completed. Proposed Valuation Certificates have been issued to Commercial and Industrial ratepayers in Offaly County Council rating authority areas.

Notice is hereby given that Offaly County Council proposes to carry out works to enhance the existing public realm at O’Connell Square and JKL St. Edenderry for a period of 8 (eight) weeks, from Wednesday 22nd February 2017to Friday 21st April 2017(both dates inclusive).