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A RED status weather warning remains in place for County Laois and in accordance with National advice all persons should remain indoors and do not travel and STAY SAFE.

Please be advised if you require the assistance of the emergency services please dial 999. The local number for the Severe Weather Communication Centre is 1890837273. Emergency shelter is available on request.

Motorway and National routes are being treated and drivers should take extreme care. Further snowfall, freezing temperatures and drifting snow has made certain other routes in the County impassable and conditions on all other routes are extremely hazardous. Council ploughing / salting /gritting operations commenced this morning at 7.30am.

Impassable routes include:

R419 Portarlington – Portlaoise

N80 Mountmellick – Tullamore

R430 Abbeyleix – Mountrath

The Gardai are again urging people to avoid all unnecessary travel and if you have to go out, ensure you use appropriate transport, bring all necessary equipment with you, let someone know where you are going and a time that you are expected back; that includes farmers going out to check on animals.

We would ask the public to check https://www.winterready.ie/en for information and advice on how to deal with potential adverse weather conditions affecting homeowners, businesses, farming community etc. Please also check on the elderly and isolated neighbours and friends and ensure they have adequate stocks of food and fuel.

Laois County Council’s Severe Weather Crisis Management Team met today at 11.30am to assess the ongoing situation. The meeting was attended by An Garda Siochana, HSE, Midlink Motorway Services and all Laois County Council affected services such as Roads, Water Services, Housing, PPN, Fire Services and Civil Defence.

Met Eireann have issued a current RED status weather warning and in accordance with National advice all persons should remain indoors from 4pm today and STAY SAFE.

Please be advised if you require the assistance of the emergency services please dial 999. The local number for the Severe Weather Communication Centre is 1890837273. Emergency shelter is available on request.

Motorway and National routes have been treated and drivers should take extreme care. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures has made conditions on all other routes extremely hazardous. Please note ploughing / salting /gritting operations are ceasing early this afternoon and will recommence as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Gardai are again urging people to avoid all unnecessary travel and if you have to go out, ensure you use appropriate transport, bring all necessary equipment with you, let someone know where you are going and a time that you are expected back; that includes farmers going out to check on animals

Met Eireann have issued a current Red status weather warning and the advisory is to remain indoors from 4pm today and STAY SAFE.

Please be advised if you require the assistance of the emergency services please dial 999. The local number for the Severe Weather Communication Centre is 1890837273. Emergency shelter is available on request.

Motorway and National routes have been treated and drivers should take extreme care. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures has made conditions on all other routes extremely hazardous.
The Gardai are again urging people to avoid all unnecessary travel and if you have to go out, let someone know where you are going and a time that you are expected back; that includes farmers going out to check on animals.

We would ask the public to check https://www.winterready.ie/en for information and advice on how to deal with potential adverse weather conditions affecting homeowners, businesses, farming community etc. Please also check on the elderly and isolated neighbours and friends and ensure they have adequate stocks of food and fuel.

Laois has experienced much heavier snow than expected. Up to 10 inches of snow is reported to have fallen in parts of the County. We have been salting and ploughing since 3am and have focussed on Priority 1 routes including N77, N78, N80, R445 Portlaoise to Portarlington and the old N7 & N8 through the County, salting and ploughing operations are continuing.
Laois Co Co recommends that extreme caution be exercised when travelling in these extremely hazardous conditions.

We would ask the public to check https://www.winterready.ie/en for advice on how to deal with potential adverse weather conditions.  Please check on the elderly and isolated neighbours and friends and ensure they have adequate stocks of food and fuel.

Laois County Council’s Severe Weather Crisis Management Team met today at 3:30pm.

It was attended by An Garda Siochana, HSE and all Laois County Council affected services such as Roads, Water Services, Housing, Fire Services and Civil Defence.
Laois County Council’s salt barns are currently full and we have further deliveries scheduled for Wednesday and Friday of this week which will maintain the salt levels above those required.

All equipment has been serviced and is in working order ahead of the event.

Salt and grit supplies are being delivered to the following locations:
Portlaoise (Clonminam) and to our depots in Abbeyleix, Mountmellick, Borris-in-Ossory, Donaghmore, Portarlington, Stradbally, Graiguecullen and Maidenhead.

In conjunction with other agencies such as HSE and An Garda Siochana we have put in place necessary procedures to provide assistance to the public over the next week.
We have been in contact with the IFA and they have agreed to provide any necessary help at remote locations.

We will advise people of the latest situation through local media and our own website, social media platforms and our Public Participation Network.

Actions have been put in place to provide resilience and ensure business continuity over the expected prolonged severe weather event.

Laois County Council will establish its severe weather hotline over the next few days as the situation dictates.

A Valuation Order, which sets in train the process for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial property in Laois County Council rating authority area, was signed on Friday the 22nd December 2017 by John O’Sullivan, Commissioner of Valuation.

The revaluation will affect approximately 2,000 commercial and industrial ratepayers in Laois. This revaluation is being done using elements of self-assessment known as “Occupier Assisted Valuation”, which is the first time that this approach has been undertaken for a revaluation of businesses in Ireland.
The signing of the new Valuation Order follows the completion of a statutory consultation process between the Commissioner of Valuation, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and Laois County Council.

• Download Laois Valuation Order

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The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is undertaking a public consultation on  Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) of the National Broadband Plan – Intervention Strategy.  In addition the Department is consulting on the updates to its High Speed Broadband Map.  Click here https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/consultations/Pages/default.aspx if you wish to make a submission.”

Laois County Council currently provide a range of public facilities including Portlaoise & Portarlington Leisure Centres, 20 public playgrounds, parks & amenity areas.  In addition, Laois County Council have a dedicated Sport & Leisure Section which organises & delivers a wide range of activity programmes, provides support and advise to clubs & community groups and maintains and develops recreation, play & sports facilities. 

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PRESS RELEASE AT 16.00 – 30th NOVEMBER 2017 – LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL

Laois County Council wish to advise that the Humanitarian Aid Centre which has moved to the Civic Offices/Library, O’ Moore Street, Mountmellick will be available to those affected by the recent flooding and the opening hours are as follows:

Friday, 1st December 10am to 3pm
Saturday, 2nd December 10am to 12pm
Monday, 4th December 10am to 3pm
Tuesday, 5th December 10am to 3pm
Wednesday, 6th December 10am to 3pm
Thursday, 7th December 10am to 3pm
Friday, 8th December 10am to 3pm

Anyone who requires support including emergency housing, dealing with the aftermath at their properties or any other humanitarian need can call to the centre or ring 057-8664000 to speak to a member of staff.

In addition, below is a summary of the support schemes available to those affected by recent flooding.

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection, is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repair.
https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Humanitarian-Assistance-Scheme.aspx

Assistance to Small Businesses, Community, Voluntary and Sporting Bodies
Defence Minister, Paul Kehoe, announced a humanitarian scheme to provide emergency assistance for small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community organisations unable to secure flood insurance, which have been affected by flooding. This scheme is being administered by the Irish Red Cross and details can be accessed at https://www.redcross.ie/news-and-events/laois-humanitarian-support-scheme/

After Flooding Clean-up
Flooding.ie has some useful information on how to deal with the aftermath of flooding in relation to Loss Assessment, Cleaning up your house, Drying out, Repairs & Restoration of services. http://www.flooding.ie/Afterflooding/

Laois County Council would like to acknowledge and thank the public for their on-going co-operation.

Laois County Council wish to advise that the roads around Portarlington, including the road between Mountmelick and Portarlington, are now open to traffic.

Members of the Defence Force and Laois Civil Defence are still deployed in Mountmellick assisting with the clean-up.

The Council’s Housing Service and the Department of Social Protection is continuing to provide support and assistance to those affected by the floods. Anyone who requires support including emergency housing, dealing with the aftermath at their properties or any other humanitarian need can call to the Humanitarian Aid Centre at Wolfe Tone Court Mountmellick. This service will continue to be provided at the Centre until 2.00pm today (Saturday).

Useful information on how to deal with the aftermath of flooding can be accessed at http://www.flooding.ie/Intheeventofaflood/

Defence Minister, Paul Kehoe, announced a humanitarian flooding scheme to provide emergency assistance for small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community organisations unable to secure flood insurance, which have been affected by flooding. This scheme is being administered by the Irish Red Cross and details can be accessed at https://www.redcross.ie/news-and-events/laois-humanitarian-support-scheme/

In the event that you require the emergency services, please dial 999.

Laois County Council would like to acknowledge and thank the public for their on-going co-operation. Laois County Council would also like to acknowledge the assistance provided by other local authorities and all agencies including members of the Defence Forces.

Have you been affected by flooding, click on link below for further information

Have you been affected by flooding

PRESS RELEASE AT 14.00 – 24th NOVEMBER 2017 – LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL

Laois County Council wish to advise that the N80 is now open to traffic.

With regard to Portarlington, Botley Lane, Bog Road and Patrick Street are closed. Diversions are in place and the Council will continue to monitor the situation.

Members of the public are requested to observe road closure signs, drive appropriately and not attempt to drive through flooded areas.

The Council’s Housing Service and the Department of Social Protection is continuing to provide support and assistance to those affected by the floods. Anyone who requires support including emergency housing, dealing with the aftermath at their properties or any other humanitarian need can call to the Humanitarian Aid Centre at Wolfe Tone Court Mountmellick. This service will continue to be provided at the Centre until 6.00 pm this evening and will be available again from 9.00 am to 2.00pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Useful information on how to deal with the aftermath of flooding can be accessed at http://www.flooding.ie/Intheeventofaflood/

Defence Minister, Paul Kehoe, announced a humanitarian flooding scheme to provide emergency assistance for small businesses (up to 20 employees), sports clubs and community organisations unable to secure flood insurance, which have been affected by flooding. This scheme is being administered by the Irish Red Cross and details can be accessed at https://www.redcross.ie/news-and-events/laois-humanitarian-support-scheme/

Please be advised if you require the assistance of Laois County Council contact (057) 86 64000. In the event that you require the emergency services, please dial 999.

Laois County Council would like to acknowledge and thank the public for their on-going co-operation. Laois County Council would also like to acknowledge the assistance provided by other local authorities and all agencies including members of the Defence Forces.