Offaly County Council has been announced as a finalist in The Ireland eGovernment Awards in Citizen Engagement Award Category, recognising the authority’s exceptional work on their STEAM Programme called “Empowering Futures: Offaly’s STEAM Programme Leading the Way in Digital Transformation!”
The nomination places Offaly amongst the leading local authorities driving digital transformation across Ireland. With over 50% of this year’s finalists coming from the local government sector, the 2025 awards spotlight the significant role councils play in reshaping public service delivery. In a record-breaking year, with entries up over 100%, Offaly County Council stood out as one of Ireland’s leading examples of public service transformation.
This programme is about creating new job opportunities for young people in Offaly and to sustain and revitalise our rural communities. The transition away from peat production and electricity generation left a significant gap in our communities and local employment. Yet from this adversity emerged a powerful drive to reimagine Offaly’s future. The Offaly County Council STEAM programme was born not only from ambition but from necessity to bridge that gap and embrace the opportunities of Ireland’s digital transformation.
STEAM education is an approach to learning that innovatively utilises Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths to develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaborative. As these skills become increasingly vital for navigating the future workforce, Offaly County Council is rising to meet the challenge and views STEAM education as key to unlocking a better, more innovative, and more resilient future for the county’s young people.
With 65% of today’s primary school children expected to work in jobs that don’t yet exist, it’s vital that Government, Education, and Industry come together to unlock these future opportunities.
Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney said: “Students developing their STEAM skills are more likely to invent, build, and lead the technologies of tomorrow, creating real benefits for their lives and communities. We are investing in future generations by giving them the skills required for jobs that may not even be considered yet and inspiring the next generation of innovators. We believe STEAM is the key to unlocking a smarter, more resilient, and more inclusive future for our county.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy said: “We’re immensely proud to see Offaly’s vision for citizen engagement in digital education and skills recognised on the national and international stage. This investment in our young people is about equipping them with the tools they need for careers that may not even exist yet. By supporting digital education and training, we’re fostering greater inclusion and participation, ensuring that these future leaders will drive Offaly’s economy and help sustain our rural communities for generations to come.”
Ray Bell, Broadband/Digital Officer and STEAM innovator at Offaly County Council, said: “This nomination is a well-deserved recognition of the many dedicated teachers across Offaly who actively support and engage with these innovative programmes. Their commitment has been instrumental in bringing STEAM learning to life in our schools. Last year alone, more than 3,000 students across Offaly engaged in over 30 dynamic programmes, ranging from Robotics and Coding to Drones, Virtual Reality, and Digital Arts. These experiences are not only sparking curiosity and creativity but are also equipping young people with the critical skills and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.”
Students from Killina Presentation Secondary School Offaly
The Ireland eGovernment Awards, now in its 22nd year, celebrates innovation, leadership, and an impact across Ireland’s public sector.
Sabahat Khan, CIO of the Local Government Management Agency and judging panel member, praised the finalists for “innovation, thinking outside the norm and trying new things,” saying, “It’s not just about technology: it’s about coordinated, secure, and meaningful transformation that delivers value to our communities. These are the basic tenets the Local Government Digital and ICT Strategy is built upon.”
The awards ceremony takes place on 18th September at O’Reilly Hall, UCD, where An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD will present the awards following a Leadership Summit featuring Ireland’s top digital changemakers.
Offaly County Council has also been shortlisted as a finalist in Ireland eGovernment Education Category for its project, “Driving STEM Education in the Midlands.” This initiative is part of a broader regional effort led in partnership with Laois, Longford, and Westmeath County Councils, aimed at strengthening digital education and skills development across the Midlands.
At the core of this initiative is a powerful collaboration between local government, academic institutions, and enterprise partners, working together through the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan to drive innovation, inclusion, and long-term regional growth.
Supported by the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) and led by the Local Authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath, this collaborative effort is advancing a bold and future-focused agenda for the Midlands. Central to this vision is the Midlands ICT Action Plan, launched in May 2023, which sets out to position the region as Europe’s leading ICT network in Digital Innovation, creating meaningful opportunities for individuals, communities, and businesses across the region.
The Midlands STEAM Education Initiative has also been named a finalist in the prestigious European Innovation in Politics Awards 2025. The awards ceremony will take place this September in Vienna as part of the European Capital of Democracy programme.
This recognition places Offaly and the wider Midlands region firmly on the European stage, celebrating their commitment to delivering innovative, inclusive, and future-focused education for young people across the region.
The STEAM programmes are delivered in collaboration with Munster Technological University, Atlantic Technological University, Technological University of the Shannon and Offaly Local Enterprise Office. In the Council itself, the Library Service, Engineering, Community and Information Technology Departments are all playing a leading role. Other Partners include Primary and Post Primary School in Offaly, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), the Department of Education and Youth and Skills and Professional Development Service for Teachers (DES/PDST), Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), National Just Transition Fund, Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition Project and Athlone and Laois Education Centre.
Dean Hodge, Offaly STEAM Engagement Officer at VEX Robotics Competition in Mucklagh Community Centre with students from around Offaly.