News

Re-Opening of Council Offices Monday 29th June

Offaly County Council wishes to advise that the following Public Offices will open public counters on Monday 29th June 2020 from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm daily Monday to Friday • Áras an Chontae, Tullamore • Birr Municipal District Offices • Tullamore Municipal District Offices • Edenderry Municipal District Offices Counter services for Planning, Roads, Local Enterprise Office, Community & Culture, Corporate Services, Water Services and Environment will be available by APPOINTMENT MADE IN ADVANCE ONLY. For an appointment please contact Offaly County Council on 057 93 46800. Phone service available Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where possible the public should continue to access our services by phone, email, online or by appointment. Please see website for further details https://www.offaly.ie/eng/ At Áras an Chontae Tullamore, a queue management system will be in place to ensure social distancing protocols are maintained during opening hours. A MAXIMUM NUMBER of members of the public will be allowed access the building at any one time. It is requested that only adults attend public counter. Members of the public are requested to restrict their visit to A MINIMUM time duration. Where possible card payments should be used. Offaly County Library service is operating a CONTACT AND COLLECT SERVICE from the Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry, Clara, Banagher and Ferbane Branch Libraries. Branch Library contact details are available on https://www.offaly.ie/eng/ 30 MINUTE browsing appointments will be available for TULLAMORE LIBRARY from Monday June 29th also. Due to social distancing requirements, fewer staff are working from council offices. We ask for your patience and co-operation should there be delays in accessing the building or dealing with your queries. Office opening arrangements are subject to change. Up to date information on opening hours and services are available on offaly.ie and Offaly County Council’s social media pages. For an appointment please contact Offaly County Council on 057 93 46800. Phone service available Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Have your say on Offaly's Digital Strategy

The Department of Rural and Community Development has directed all local authorities to develop and implement a local digital strategy. Offaly County Council has embarked on this initiative. As part of the preparation, the Council are undertaking an engagement process which includes two online surveys to gauge internet use habits in Offaly as we would like to gain valuable input from individuals (including those who do online work on behalf of a community group) and businesses from all parts of the county. Each short set of questions can be answered online within a few minutes. The queries aim to gather information on the type of internet user who is responding, what their usual type and format of internet connection is, what they use the internet for, and their knowledge on what sorts of service and speeds they have. We are also looking for your input on good examples of where digital technology has been used to good effect and any projects you think could assist with a digital strategy rollout in Offaly. Lastly, given recent events, we have a couple of questions relating to remote working. The council would very much welcome as wide a range of feedback as possible from all over Offaly, with your views helping form the plans for the digital future for the county. The closing date for your input is Friday 3rd July.

Press Release – June 12th 2020 Offaly County Council regulation of Dog Breeding Establish...

Offaly County Council are aware of a recent social media campaign concerning matters arising relating to the regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments in Offaly. A spokesperson for Offaly County Council said “We wish to make the public aware that we continue to apply the provisions of the Dog breeding Establishment Act and its associated guidelines issued by the minister. Where the Act and its guidelines are not adhered to the Council carry out enforcement measures set out in the Act. The Act provides that- Conditions of Registration may be applied by a local authority to a registered Dog Breeding Establishment. In certain circumstances Closure Notices may be issued where deemed necessary in the interest of welfare of dogs. Such information is made public (see the link below). The right of appeal to the District Court of above provisions of the Act is also provided for to the operator of a dog breeding establishment. An appeal is pending to the district court on refusal by Offaly County Council to issue a registration to an applicant in 2019 and also to a subsequent closure notice issued in February 2020 to the applicant. Information concerning registered Dog Breeding Establishments in Offaly are available on our website https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Environment/Dog-Control/Dog-Breeding-Establishments.html

Resumption of Statutory Planning timelines, during the Covid 19 Pandemic

Resumption of Statutory Planning timelines, during the Covid 19 Pandemic

Offaly County Council Update on the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business/Local Gove...

Offaly County Council has continued to deliver services throughout the current crisis but the following specific services will be in place from next Monday June 8th- Phase 2 of the Government of Ireland Reopening Roadmap.

Community Call Visit to Kilcormac Development Association

IN THIS TOGETHER - THE COMMUNITY CALL Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Peter Ormond and CE Anna Marie Delaney today paid a visit to Kilcormac Development Association to witness at first hand the wonderful work being done in association with Offaly Local Development Company, West & South Offaly Homefix assisted by the Community Forum. All social distancing and public health measures were observed during the visit. KDA have been able to offer an expanded Meals on Wheels service to those requiring hot meals delivered in South & West Offaly including Birr, Shinrone, Clareen and Coolderry areas while still covering the Kilcormac, Mountbolus, Cadamstown, Kinnitty, Rath and Fivealley areas. The meals are freshly prepared, cooked and delivered on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and they can offer 2 meals per day covering 6 days a week if clients so wish. The service has seen demand doubled in recent times with over 100 dinners per day going out and the capacity to expand is there if this demand grows

OCC Just Transition Press Release 23 May 2020

Offaly County Council welcomes the publication of the first Progress Report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, launched by Minister Bruton yesterday evening. The report details stakeholder engagement to date with Bord na Móna, ESB and a wide range of stakeholders across the region. It contains a number of recommendations to provide support and new employment opportunities for workers and communities impacted by the acceleration of decarbonisation, thereby ensuring a just transition, whilst also sustaining our rural communities.

Covid-19 Restart Grant Scheme Press Release 22nd May

Offaly County Council is taking applications for the Covid-19 Restart Grant Scheme. This grant will give direct grant aid to micro and small businesses in Offaly to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following Covid-19 closures. The closing date for application is August 31st 2020 Before making an application, please check the following to see if your business is eligible.

Press Release - €2,000 Prize Fund announced for Offaly’s Longest Day Project to promote H...

Press Release - €2,000 Prize Fund announced for Offaly’s Longest Day Project to promote Health and Physical Activity in June Peter Ormond, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council this week launched “Offaly’s Longest Day” project to promote health and physical activity in June and announced a €2,000 prize fund to coincide with the project.

AFS 2019 - Unaudited

Annual Financial Statement of Offaly County Council for the year ended 31st December 2019 - Unaudited

Edenderry MasterPlan Public Consultation

The public are kindly invited to provide feedback on the Draft Blundell Masterplan for the regeneration of the Edenderry back-lands. The aim of the plan is to unlock the potential of the Blundell are (former Tesco. Former Grain Store, Blundell Park and surrounding area). Taking on-board ideas from the initial consultation, consultants have produced a draft masterplan, and would like your feedback, your say matters!

Thank you, #StaySafe and keep up the efforts to #StopTheSpread: A joint message from the ...

As Ireland enters a crucial phase in the fight against the virus, the three principal response agencies that make up the Midlands Steering Group (An Garda Síochána, the HSE and the Local Authorities) have thanked people for their work on stopping the spread of Covid-19. Ahead of the May Bank Holiday weekend, representatives of, An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Offaly County Council are appealing to everyone in Co. Offaly to continue their impressive efforts. In an effort to deter people from travelling more than two kilometres, local authorities have closed many amenities and attractions such as playgrounds. Anna Marie Delaney, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council has urged people not to allow everyone’s hard work to be undermined and to #Stay Safe and, where possible, #Stay at Home. Joe Ruane HSE Midland Louth Meath Community Healthcare has acknowledged that the collective actions of communities in the region is clearly making a difference but it is crucial that everyone keeps up those efforts: “We know it’s hard, especially in terms of being apart from families and friends but it is helping to protect and keep our communities - especially vulnerable people and healthcare workers - safe. I want to particularly appeal to young people - we in the healthcare community need you to keep that effort going for another while.” John Scanlon, Garda Chief Superintendent for the Laois Offaly Kildare Division, highlights that there will be a very visible Garda presence across Laois, Offaly and Kildare this weekend: “Our members will operate an extensive network of checkpoints across both counties this weekend, checking public compliance with the travel restrictions in place as part of Covid-19 public health guidelines. There has been very good compliance with the travel restrictions and we want to thank the public for this. However, it is vital that this continues over the coming days and weeks. It will save lives. In particular, we would ask people who are thinking of travelling to parks, tourist locations or holiday homes outside of the two kilometre limit this weekend not to do so. If you are stopped at a checkpoint, you will be turned back.” The Midlands Regional Steering Group urges everyone to please play their part and #Stay Safe, # Stop the Spread this May Bank Holiday weekend.

Expressions of Interest- Provision of Turnkey Housing Developments

COMHAIRLE CONTAE UBH FHAILÍ OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL Expressions of Interest Turnkey Housing Developments for the Provision of Social Housing Offaly County Council is seeking expressions of interest for the provision of turnkey housing developments for Social Housing purposes. Turnkey Developments, to be of interest to the Council, must be close to services within an urban settlement/town/village, and within walking distance of shops, schools and local amenities. Housing Design and Construction Standards must at a minimum meet the requirements of all relevant statutory planning and building control requirements. An ‘Expressions of Interest’ Briefing Document is available on e-tenders and on the council’s website at: https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Housing/Construction/Turnkey Submissions must be received no later than 12pm on 28th May 2020. Offaly County Council is not obliged to purchase any turnkey housing development submitted as part of this process. Dated this 6th day of May., 2020 Sharon Kennedy Director of Housing

Connecting the Faithful Newsletters

Offaly Age Friendly Alliance are delighted to publish the newsletters below which are for all in our Community to enjoy at this time. Our primary audience is to those cocooning, the most isolated and those who may not have Internet access. We hope it offers some light reading and challenges the mind and maybe the body a little too. We wish to thank An Post for distribution across the county to those without Internet access but if you know of someone who might enjoy it feel free to download a copy for them. The Newsletters will be published on a fortnightly basis from here on in

Offaly County Council- Covid 19 Impact on Rate Payers April 24th Update

Offaly County Council acknowledges and understands the severe impact that COVID-19 has had and is having on a wide range of businesses in the county and beyond. We are already working with Ratepayers affected by the unprecedented situation which has transpired in recent days. We are acutely aware of the issues faced by their ratepayers and we have been, and continue to, deal with difficulties experienced by rate payers on a case by case basis. We have a long-standing relationship with local businesses and are very well placed to deal with this evolving situation and its impact on ratepayers in their local areas and operating environments. The Government has recently stated that local authorities should agree to defer rates payments due from the most immediately impacted businesses - primarily in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors, for three months, until end-May. As a result any commercial ratepayers that have had to temporarily close or significantly curtail operations during the COVID-19 response period should contact their Offaly County revenue collector immediately on receipt of your rates bill, in relation to any rates payments falling due in the period to end-May and agree a payment schedule to the end of 2020. Full contact details for Revenue Collectors for your area are available on www.offaly.ie or contact our rates office at rates@offalycoco.ie or by telephoning (057) 93 57408 Offaly County Council staff will work with you during these unprecedented and challenging times and we will respond to queries on a daily basis. We would be grateful if ratepayers that can, continue to pay their outstanding local authority rates should continue to do so in the normal way. Please note also the Council’s Local Enterprise Office continues to provide a range of supports, details of which are available via the following link: https://www.localenterprise.ie/response It is hoped that this current period of disruption will not be prolonged and as Offaly County Council continues to deliver public services, commercial life can return to normal with minimal impact on businesses.

Clarification of Statutory Off the Road Declarations Motor Tax Thursday 23/04/2020 3pm

Please find below a clarification regarding limited circumstances in which a Statutory Off the road declaration may be made. Motor Tax staff can help to resolve any issues customers may have. Customers can phone Offaly Motor Tax Office on 057 9346800 or email to motortax@offalycoco.ie *** Off the Road Declarations *** The Statutory off the road declaration must be made in advance i.e. within the month of expiry of the current motor tax disc (or current off the road declaration). It cannot be applied retrospectively. If your tax is due to expire in April, your vehicle needs to be declared off the road by the end of April – this cannot be done in May as a new tax period has commenced. Customers can declare a vehicle off the road via www.motortax.ie or submitting a completed RF150 form to Offaly County Council’s Motor Tax Office. Arrears will arise • if the tax period has expired, the vehicle cannot be declared off the road until arrears are cleared and the vehicle is taxed forward for 3 months. • if a customer ‘self declares’ without submitting the official information to Offaly Motor Tax office or www.motortax.ie If in doubt, please phone Offaly Motor Tax Office on 057 9346800 or email motortax@offalycoco.ie and a member of the team will be happy to assist you.

Housing

Offaly Local Authority Home Loan Mortgage Payment Break

To assist local authority home loan borrowers who may experience a reduction in their income arising from the COVID-19 emergency and may not be able to make repayments on their loans, a Mortgage Payment Break of up to three months will be made available to those who need it.

Roads

Further Temporary relaxation of EU driving and resting time rules due to ongoing COVID-19...

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport have agreed a further extension of the temporary derogation from certain provisions of the EU driving and resting time rules. This extension includes additional measures, which will apply from 17 April to 31 May 2020. The derogation will apply to all operators and drivers subject to the EU driver’s hours and tachograph rules engaged in the carriage of all goods (including oil supplies etc.) and will continue to be reviewed by the RSA during this time. Details of the derogation are outlined further, below.

Corporate Services

Press Releases Covid 19 - Offaly Community Call

Our dedicated staff are on duty from 8am to 8pm 7 days a week so please call in strictest confidence FREEPHONE 1800 81 81 81 or email covidsupport@offalycoco.ie #CommunityCall #Offaly

Offaly Community & Sports Awards

The Community and Sports Awards has been postponed to Friday October 23rd 2020.