News

Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council welcomes funding of €4.76 million to extend the Gr...

Cllr. John Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, has welcomed the announcement of €4.76 million of funding to complete a further 35kms of the Grand Canal Greenway in County Offaly from Edenderry to Lough Boora. He especially welcomed the change in criteria with 100% of funding coming from central government where previously it was 60%. This significantly relieves pressure on the Council’s own financial resources to complete such valuable projects.

Press Release 22nd October 2020: Offaly County Council and Level 5 of the Plan for Livin...

Level 5 of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 comes into effect from today 22nd October for a period of six weeks. The Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr. John Carroll, and the Chief Executive, Ms. Anna Marie Delaney have urged all in Offaly to play their part and adhere to the updated public health advice available on gov.ie/covid.

Greenway Extension Daingean to Edenderry Press Release Oct 15th

Offaly County Council has welcomed the funding from the Department of Transport announced as part of Budget 2021 to complete the Grand Canal Greenway from Daingean to the county boundary at Edenderry.

Town and Village Renewal Funding for Offaly October 12th

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the third round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme that supports towns and villages to respond and adapt to COVID-19. The focus of the funding is on measures and interventions that help towns and villages to adapt to social distancing requirements and to provide safe environments that encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise. Offaly County Council were successful with 5 out of 6 applications for Round 3 Accelerated Measure of the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL LAUNCHES TULLAMORE PUBLIC WiFi4EU project

On Thursday 8th October shortly in advance of the Tullamore Municipal District meeting, Councillors and others involved gathered in O’Connor Square to welcome the immediate availability of public WiFi in the county town streetscape and various community venues around the Municipal District - upgrades to the public realm and voluntary sector venues.

Online Coding Event for the young people of Offaly October 24th

Offaly County Council is delighted to be involved in DojoMór which is a nationwide, online, coding fun-day for young people aged 7 to 17 where they can learn to create a simple game, build a website, programme electronics, create music and develop 3D models using computer coding techniques. Greatly inspired by CoderDojo, this event is an amazing opportunity for young people to be exposed to and to learn practical and valuable skills, that they will take with them for life.

Press Release 6th October 2020: Offaly County Council and Level 3 of the Plan for Living ...

Offaly, in line with the country as a whole will go to Level 3 of the Plan for Living with Covid-19 from midnight tonight, the 6th October for a period of three weeks. The Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr. John Carroll, and the Chief Executive, Ms. Anna Marie Delaney have urged all in Offaly to play their part and adhere to the updated public health advice available on gov.ie/covid to ensure we protect those most at risk. Offaly County Council wishes to advise that the following Public Offices will remain open 9.30 am to 1.00 pm Monday to Friday. • Áras an Chontae, Tullamore • Birr Municipal District Offices • Tullamore Municipal District Offices • Edenderry Municipal District Offices • However, in line with public health advice we strongly urge all our customers to use our services available online where possible and where possible card payments should be used. Full details of online services are available at www.offaly.ie. Face coverings are mandatory in all public buildings, and physical distancing of at least 2 metres and good hand hygiene must be maintained. 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. As part of Level 3 measures, Offaly Libraries will revert to Contact and Collect services only from Wednesday, 7th October. This means our library branches will not be open for browsing and computer visits. Full details of our Contact and Collect service are available on the Council’s website (here) which includes contact details for your local branch. 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. Our civic amenity centres at Derryclure, Birr and Edenderry remain open with additional measures in place. Please see https://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Environment/Recycling/ for details. The Community Call Response line is available 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm. FREEPHONE: 1800 81 81 81 or email covidsupport@offalycoco.ie. For an appointment or further information on all our services please contact Offaly County Council on 057 93 46800, email: customerservices@offalycoco.ie or check our website at www.offaly.ie Phone service available Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public Alert: Boil Water Notice: Dunkerrin Public Water Scheme: Effective Date:22nd Septe...

Irish Water and Offaly County Council Obair i gcomhpháirtíocht: Working in partnership Dunkerrin Public Water Scheme Effective Date of Boil Water Notice: 22nd September 2020

Town and Village Renewal Funding Grants Offaly Round 2

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the second round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme that supports towns and villages to respond and adapt to COVID-19. The focus of the funding is on measures and interventions that help towns and villages to adapt to social distancing requirements and to provide safe environments that encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise. Offaly County Council were successful with all 6 applications for Round 2 which were as follows

Press Release Meeting with Minister Eamon Ryan, 11th September, 2020

Press Release Meeting with Minister Eamon Ryan, 11th September, 2020 A delegation from Offaly County Council met with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Eamon Ryan, T.D., this morning, remotely. The delegation comprised Cllr. John Carroll, Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Eamon Dooley, Leas-Cathaoirleach, and Anna Marie Delaney, Chief Executive, Offaly County Council. Minister of State, Pippa Hackett and officials from the Minister’s Department also joined the meeting.

Birr MD - Road Closure

Tuesday 15th September to Wednesday 16th September 2020: R490 at Cullenwaine, Moneygall

Strategic Housing Development - Residential Development at Clonminch Road (R443), Clonmin...

Strategic Housing Developments lodged with An Bord Pleanála (ABP) in accordance with the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. Residential Development at Clonminch Road (R443), Clonminch and Gayfield, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Steinfort Investments Fund Date Application Lodged: 7th August 2020 ABP Reference: ABP-307832-20

Press Release Meeting with Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly Thursday August 20th 4pm

A delegation from Offaly County Council met with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly T.D. this morning. The delegation comprised of Cllr John Carroll, Cathaoirleach Offaly County Council, and the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach of Edenderry, Birr and Tullamore Municipal District; Cllr John Foley, Cllr Liam Quinn, Cllr John Leahy, Cllr Peter Ormond, Cllr Danny Owens, and Cllr Tony McCormack. The Chief Executive, Anna Marie Delaney also attended the meeting. The meeting was a very productive one, with the Minister opening the meeting by thanking all the Members for attending. Each Member in turn outlined their concerns and those of their fellow members in relation to the restrictions that were implemented in Offaly on Friday 7th August 2020. The Minister listened attentively to all of the concerns expressed, and thanked the Members for their feedback on the restrictions and their effects on the citizens of Offaly. He acknowledged the difficulties in imposing these restrictions but stated that the urgency was necessary in the control of Covid-19. He listened and responded to the Members questions where possible and agreed that his Department would revert with responses to all questions raised. He committed to circulating the most recent figures available for the county from the National Public Health Emergency Team immediately. He advised that he had issued instructions that the three counties, Offaly, Laois and Kildare would be considered separately to determine when the restrictions would be lifted. He advised that he would seek to have the restrictions lifted as soon as practicable having regard to the public health measures necessary. He advised that his Department would be communicating with the Elected Members in relation to any future issues. In his closing statement the Minister thanked the people of Offaly for their forbearance during the last two weeks, he noted that it was only through the efforts of all the citizens pulling together that this virus would be beaten. He noted that through their efforts they had saved lives across the county of Offaly over the past two weeks.

Taking in Charge - 5 Estates in Offaly

Offaly County Council proposes to take in charge the following estates; - Armstrong Grove, Clara - Downshire Developments, Edenderry - Granary Court, Edenderry - The Hazel, Tullamore - The Elms, Tullamore

Road works on R420 at Coleraine (Tullamore-Clara).

Tue Aug 18 Road works on R420 at Coleraine (Tullamore-Clara). Expect delays. Offaly County Council regrets inconvenience to road users.

Press Release: August 14th 10pm: Cathaoirleach and Members of Offaly County Council welco...

The Cathaoirleach and Members of Offaly County Council welcome the package of supports announced by An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar T.D., Minister Michael McGrath T.D, and Minister Catherine Martin T.D this evening.

Government Announces Package for Businesses in Kildare, Laois & Offaly

Topped up Restart Grant Plus Affected Counties will be prioritised for existing grants, loans & vouchers Funding to promote counties

Turraun to Shannon Harbour Link Greenway - Notice of advertising of Part 8 for developmen...

Offaly County Council has put Part 8 Documentation on Public Display for the Greenway Link from Turraun (junction with Offaly Way), to Griffith Bridge, Shannon Harbour. The route tracks the southern towpath all the way to Griffith Bridge, Shannon Harbour. Submissions can be made in writing to Planning Section, of Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly OR alternatively, email submissions can be sent to greenwaysubs@offalycoco.ie on or before 25th of September 2020.

Planning

OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL SUPPORTS SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES FOR TOWN CENTRE BUSINESSES

Town Centre businesses using outdoor furniture are required to apply annually for a Licence to do so under Planning legislation and a fee is involved. The Covid 19 pandemic has given rise to greater use of outdoor street furniture for food consumption outside of food establishments. There is significant interest in providing street furniture in all parts of County Offaly including smaller villages because of social distancing requirements and a general awareness of the commercial benefits of attracting footfall and creating ambience.

Offaly Sports Partnership COVID-19 Club Small Grant Scheme

Sports clubs in Offaly can now apply for COVID-19 Club Small Grants of up to €1,500 through Offaly Sports Partnership. The COVID-19 Club Small Grant Scheme is part of a series of COVID-19 related funding schemes from Sport Ireland, following the announcement of €70 million of funding by the Government to support the sports sector in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The COVID-19 Club Small Grant Scheme will be implemented by Sport Ireland’s network of Local Sports Partnerships and will provide assistance to local clubs with covering costs associated with the reopening of sports clubs. This scheme is separate to the Sports Club Resilience Fund, which will be delivered through National Governing Bodies. This scheme is designed to support sports clubs that do not have the finances to implement COVID-19 related hygiene and social distancing protocols. The COVID-19 Club Small Grants can be used to support COVID-19 related expenditure dating from 2nd May 2020 onwards (Date of publication of Government roadmap to recovery). As the total fund available is limited, clubs which already have the finances to implement COVID-19 protocols should not apply. This grant scheme is designed and intended to support return to sporting activities only and cannot be used to support COVID-19 costs related to hospitality services such as bars or restaurants within sports facilities. The scheme will be based on identified needs. Offaly Sports Partnership and Sport Ireland will work together to ensure that the investment is distributed fairly and every effort will be made to ensure that the wider sports community benefits from this scheme. There is a €1,500 limit per club on this grant scheme however applications will be means tested and only clubs with the most need will be eligible for the full amount. Clubs should not feel that they have to apply for the full amount to be considered for support. Speaking regarding the launch of the COVID-19 Club Small Grant Scheme, LSP Coordinator with Offaly Sports Partnership, Eamonn Henry, said “Offaly Sports Partnership welcomes the announcement of financial support for sports clubs across Ireland and encourages all sports clubs in Offaly to assess their need for financial support towards COVID-19 related hygiene and social distancing protocols.” Clubs are advised to contact Offaly Sports Partnership at sports@offalycoco.ie for further information on this scheme. Please note: - · only one application can be submitted per sport club · applications to Offaly Sports Partnership are only applicable to clubs based within Offaly · funding applications must be submitted prior to Wednesday, 2nd September via the application form link on Offaly Sports Partnership’s website at www.offalysports.ie. · clubs must ensure that, where available, they prioritise the application for funding support via their National Governing Body or relevant representative body. Funding support for the same purpose should not be sought from multiple sources For further information, contact Eamonn Henry, Coordinator, Offaly Sports Partnership on 086 7948054 or by email to sports@offalycoco.ie