News

Tullamore Public Realm Enhancement Works Commencement Date

Tullamore Public Realm Enhancement Works to commence in January 2019 David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd. has been contracted by Offaly County Council to undertake Tullamore Public Realm Enhancement Works. The project includes the phased public realm improvement works to High St, Bridge St, Columcille St, Millennium Square and O’Connor Square. The works to High Street and Bridge Street will involve the undergrounding of the existing overhead wires together with the removal of existing poles. The existing street lighting will be replaced with new feature light poles. The existing footpath will be replaced and widened at particular locations. Road reconstruction and surfacing will also be undertaken on a phased basis. To facilitate the works on High Street and Bridge Street it will be necessary to restrict traffic to a One-Way Outbound traffic management system. Traffic will be prohibited from travelling inbound from Cormac Street & O’Moore Street and traffic will be redirected towards the town center via alternative detour routes (see map overleaf). It will not be possible to facilitate on-street carparking, while the one-way system is in operation. Once the works progress past the Tara Street entrance, two-way traffic will be facilitated between O’Moore Street and Tara Street only (between A and C on the map overleaf) to allow local traffic access to the Bridge Centre carpark. Works are to commence on High Street (from the junction with O’Moore St.) from Wednesday 2nd January 2018. The one-way system will be in operation from this date and will remain in place up to the end of June 2019. Please note that during the above works, there will be some disruption as the work in the footpath moves past doorways / entrances, however we will endeavor to keep this disruption to a minimum.

Proposed Part 8 – Edenderry Inner Relief Road Project

Notice of advertising of Part 8 for the development of a proposed internal link road in Edenderry

Offaly secure €60,000 to establish open-access WiFi hot-spots throughout the county.

Offaly secure €60,000 to establish open-access WiFi hot-spots throughout the county. Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Seán Canney TD today welcomed the announcement of the first successful applicants of the European WiFi initiative, WiFi4EU. This announcement sees Offaly secure €60,000 to establish open-access WiFi hot-spots throughout the county. €30,000 was secured through the European WiFi initiative and the Department of Rural and Community Development provided match funding of €30,000. Broadband Officer for Offaly County Council Ray Bell, stated “This is great news for Offaly as it allows us to continue to provide free public access to WiFi throughout the county. Earlier this year we provided free public WiFi along the Shannon in Shannon Bridge, Banagher and Shannon Harbour. In early 2019, the Greenway along the Grand Canal will be connected at Edenderry, Daingean, Tullamore, Pollagh and Shannon Harbour. This announcement today will improve the connectivity of communities in Offaly and enable us to support the flagship tourism and recreation projects that we are working towards in the county." The funding was awarded at EU level on a first-come first-served basis and Minister Canney added: “This outcome shows how proactive local authorities in Ireland are and their determination to bring connectivity to their areas. They are doing as much as they can to provide their communities with a much needed service and their efforts and engagement need to be applauded. Officials from my Department worked very closely with Broadband Officers, local authorities and the European Commission ahead of the first call for applications, and this great result is a demonstration of the very positive engagement and willingness from all involved to improve the connectivity of communities https://drcd.gov.ie/about/news-centre/press-releases/minister-canney-welcomes-european-funding-of-e885000-for-21-local-authorities-under-the-wifi4eu-initiative/?fbclid=IwAR1W0zuacFPxTtx-sd5bICOK3uPDpG61sNTNLoESBFq31Hsi2NLYMdAnBuk

STREAM Creative Suite – €458,240 for Birr

STREAM Creative Suite – €458,240 for Birr Offaly Innovation & Design Centre CLG in partnership with Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Offaly, Offaly County Council and I-LOFAR has been awarded €458,240 from the Enterprise Ireland Regional Development Fund to establish “STREAM Creative Suite” in Birr Technology Centre. Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise in LEO Offaly explained that STREAM Creative Suite will be a natural extension to the I-LOFAR Project. The I-LOFAR radio telescope, situated in Birr Castle, is the Irish Station in the largest radio telescope in the world. There are 52 LOFAR Stations across Europe, generating 3 Gbps per station, over 150 Gigabits per second, more than 6 Petabytes per year. Unique Opportunities with I-LOFAR in Birr • The Irish Station, part of the largest radio telescope in the world • Primary (currently only) access to the biggest source of big data • Policy Support for I-LOFAR Project – Offaly County Council Local Economic & Community Plan (LECP) and Action Plan for Jobs: Midland Region • Builds on rich astronomical heritage of Birr Castle Gardens & Science Centre • Increases potential for Science Tourism • Increases potential for STEM Education and Outreach (Newly opened I-LOFAR Education Centre is set to deliver range of Space related camps and workshops for students and teachers) • Creates compelling proposition for IDA to attract FDI Big Data Companies to Birr/Midlands I-LOFAR provides a unique opportunity to access big data in real time. This data can be utilised for training purposes and for proving algorithms for many sectors. Professors and researchers of universities affiliated with the international LOFAR network together with Software Developers and Data Analysts from companies operating within or in cooperation with companies based in the Midland Region will have the opportunity to use the STREAM Creative Suite – either through regular hot desk usage or through the establishment of a base there. The space will comprise an open plan work area for researchers, a training room and smaller office spaces. The programme will also include a residential/visiting researcher programme, support for workshops, summer internships, and training in Data Analytics and related topics. The funding will also support the salary costs of a manager who will be hired for 3 years to run the suite and develop future activities. The Creative Suite will bring together researchers and practitioners in areas such as the visual arts, multi-media, technology and astronomy, who share a common interest in Big Data. Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr. Danny Owens welcomed the news and acknowledged the collaborative efforts those who made the successful application: Offaly County Council’s Chief Executive, Ms. Anna Marie Delaney; Head of Enterprise, Ms. Orla Martin; Prof. Peter Gallagher, I-LOFAR Consortium and Mr. Joe Hogan, Founder of Openet. The STREAM Creative Suite has been developed by Offaly Innovation & Design Centre CLG, Local Enterprise Office Offaly, Offaly County Council and I-LOFAR and is supported by Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Development Fund.

Community & Enterprise

Moneygall triumph in Pride of Place Awards 2018

Offaly based community groups were among those honoured at the annual IPB Pride of Place awards held on Cork City Hall on Saturday evening the 17th. Moneygall Development Association were crowned overall winners in the Community Tourism Category. Accepting the award, Chairperson Henry Healy, stated “Moneygall has worked hard to create an exciting tourist destination and this award is recognition of the pride we have in our community”. Representing County Offaly with great distinction in the IPB Pride of Place Awards were Clonbullogue Development Association, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Mount Bolus and Moneygall Development Association.

Bye-Laws for Waste Management

Local Government Act 2001 – Part 19 & Section 199(1) Waste Management Act 1996 – Section 35(1)

Notice - Draft Local Authority Budget for 2019

The Statutory Annual Budget Meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, Aras and Chontae, Tullamore on Monday, 19th November, 2018 at 2pm

Corporate Services

Offaly County Council - Statement from Cllr. Danny Owens, Cathaoirleach regarding BNM job...

Offaly County Council has agreed to set up a working group, representing all relevant stakeholders, to pursue funding opportunities and actions to mitigate the impact of the BNM job losses on the individuals concerned, and the impact on the Local and Regional Economy. The working group will consist of a number of stakeholders including members of the Council, representatives from enterprise, education and training sectors, and the various state agencies. The Council have also sought a meeting between the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Mr. Richard Bruton and a delegation from the Council.

Offaly Community Enhancement Programme 2018 Grant Allocations

Funding totalling €323,000 was approved by Offaly Local and Community Development Committee (LCDC) on Thursday 11th October 2018. The funded was awarded to 115 community groups under the Community Enhancement Programme 2018. This included 106 community groups and 9 Men’s Shed’s.

Proposed Part 8 - Edenderry Link Road – Granary Court to Fairgreen, Edenderry, Co. Offaly...

Notice of advertising of Part 8 for the development of a proposed internal link road in Edenderry

Finance

Annual Financial Statement 2017

The Annual Financial Statement commences with a certificate by the Chief Executive and Head of Finance certifying that the information contained therein is in agreement with the books of account and is in accordance with the accounting requirements as directed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The statement also contains details of the Council's accounting policies.

Waste Bye-Laws 2018 - Consultation period is now closed

The public consultation period is now closed. No comments or submissions were received from Third Parties. Offaly County Council expect this Bye Law to be adopted and put into effect by 31st December 2018.

Removal of Daingean Bottlebanks

Please be advised that from Monday 17th September 2018, the Bottlebanks located at the Midwae Hotel in Daingean will be removed. Offaly County Council apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Outdoor Fire Safety Guidance

Outdoor Fire Safety Guidance. Some useful fire safety tips when out and about

Press Release - May 28th 2018

While in Ferbane on Monday to open the new Fire Station, Minister Eoghan Murphy also took the opportunity to meet some of the new residents of Mill Race Ferbane. Offaly County Council acquired 5 units in this development from Droughill Builders Ltd. following a call to developers to provide finished, turnkey standard units to the Local Authority. Droughill Builders finished out the units to a high standard and the houses were allocated to five families in recent weeks. The Minister met the families present on Monday and wished them well in their new homes. Offaly County Council continues its work programme to meet the targets set by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government through a blend of new construction schemes, acquisition of houses, leasing and provision of the Housing Assistance Payment.

Public Spending Code QA Report 2017

Offaly County Council's Public Spending Code Quality Assurance Report 2017

Finance

Financial Reporting - Purchase Orders

Offaly County Council's list of Purchase Orders raised in excess of €20,000

Finance

AFS 2017 Unaudited

Unaudited Annual Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2017

Public Participation: Identification of Bathing Waters

Public Participation: Identification of Bathing Waters 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. To help with this process, Offaly County Council are asking people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to tell them if they think they should maintain existing designated bathing waters designations or give a new official bathing area designation to areas that are commonly used for swimming, but not identified at the moment. Under European and Irish law, Irish local authorities must identify bathing waters each year so that these areas can be monitored to ensure they meet stringent microbiological water quality standards. In some cases, the official bathing areas are also the areas where local authorities focus their resources providing lifeguards during the summer season. These laws also require that the local authority prepares detailed descriptions or profiles for each of the identified bathing water sites that describe not just the bathing area but also areas in the surface waters catchment area that could be a source of pollution. The profiles include an assessment the risk of pollution and what action would be taken if pollution occurs. If you are a regular swimmer and want to help your Council decide which bathing areas should be classified as such, it might be helpful to consider the following: • How your swimming area has been used up to now; • How many people use the site; • What facilities exist at the site and how accessible it is; • Any safety issues. If you wish to propose your favourite beach/river etc as a new bathing water site or comment on an existing site please contact... Closing date for submissions to Offaly County Council is 22nd June 2018. For further information please email waterservices@offalycoco.ie or Tel: 0579346800

Offaly County Council - Building Contractors Framework for Offaly County Council's Housin...

Offaly County Council wish to establish a multi-party framework agreement with suitably qualified and experienced Building Contractors for the provision of a variety of small to medium sized building works over the lifetime of the framework.