Laois County Council

Category: News

  • Japanese Knotweed

    Japanese Knotweed

    Japanese Knotweed and other non native invasive species are becoming an ever more increasing problem in Ireland. It has been reported that invasive species cost the Irish economy over €200 million annually and this figure is likely to rise into the future with both increasing awareness and efforts to prevent their spread.

    Japanese Knotweed is a robust perennial plant which grows rigorously with the potential to spread rapidly, growing up to 2-3m in one growing season. It has an underground rhizome system consisting of stems/roots that can stretch horizontally up to 7 meters and it can grow almost anywhere as it can tolerate extreme conditions such as low temperatures, acidic soils and waterlogged/saline environments.

    Read More

  • Community Enhancement Programme 2019

    What’s it all about?

    Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, today announced the launch of the 2019 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP)

    The Community Enhancement Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development to provide funding towards enhancing the facilities available to communities. The Programme has a focus on supporting those living in disadvantaged areas.

    Minister Ring said: “The CEP provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing lawnmowers and IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs and also provides funding towards larger projects.

    “These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country. The impact of the Community Enhancement Programme is considerable”.

    The CEP was launched for the first time in 2018 and funded over 3,000 projects across the country. It was the result of the first significant exercise in the streamlining of schemes and programmes carried out by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It combined two existing schemes so that funding is now provided to improve facilities in a manner that is more flexible and responsive at a local level.

    Who can apply? Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.  Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.

    Closing Date Thursday 30th May 2019 at 5.00 pm.

    You can download an application form C E P 2019 APPLICATION and Guidelines 2019

    IMPORTANT:  Please save Application Form before entering any details.

    Application form and guidelines are  also available from the from the Community Development Section, Laois County Council, by email at dce@laosicoco.ie or phone 057 8664206/8664169

     

     

  • Green Dog Walker Programme

    If you see someone with the Green Dogwalkers hi vis vest, it means that they have taken the pledge to always clean up after their dog.

    The Green Dog Walkers is a non confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling.

    If you would like to take the pledge and receive your hi vis or are part of a group that would like to promote this in your area; please contact the Environment Section at 057 86 74330.

  • Are you Registered to vote?

    You can check the register at www.checktheregister.ie to see if you are registered to vote and check that your details are correct.

     

    Please note:

    The closing date for the Supplement to the Register of Electors is Tuesday 7th May 2019.

    The closing date for the Supplement to the Postal Voters and Special Voters Lists is Sunday 28th April 2019.

    For further assistance, contact 05786 64105 or email register@laoiscoco.ie

    Remember, you cannot vote if you are not on the register.

    For more information on the Local Elections 2019, click here or email localelections2019@laoiscoco.ie

  • Notice of Election – Laois County Council

    An election of members for each of the local electoral areas of the above-mentioned local authority is about to be held.

    Nomination papers may be obtained from the address below during the usual office hours.

    A person may nominate himself/herself as a candidate or may, with his/her consent, be nominated by a proposer who is registered as a local government elector in the local electoral area of the local authority for which he/she proposes to nominate the candidate.

    A nomination paper from a candidate of a registered political party must have a certificate of political affiliation attached which must be produced to me with his/her completed nomination paper.

    If no certificate is attached, the candidate must, before the latest time for receiving nominations, either-

    • secure 15 assents to the nomination by way of statutory declarations by local government electors registered in the relevant local electoral area (forms available from me or the registration authority), or
    • make a deposit of €100 (deposit may also be made on the candidate’s behalf).

    The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on the 4th day of May, 2019.

    Completed nomination papers may be delivered to me in person by the candidate or his/her proposer at any time when I am at my office, from 10 am on the 27th day of April, 2019 until 12 noon on the last day for receiving nominations.

    I am required by law to attend to receive nominations between 10 am and 12 noon and between 2 pm and 5 pm on the 3rd day of May, 2019 and between 10 am and 12 noon on the 4th day of May, 2019.

    If the election is contested, a poll will be taken on the 24th day of May, 2019 between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm.

     

     

    Donal Brennan                                                                                               Áras an Chontae,

    Returning Officer                                                                                           Portlaoise,

    (057) 8664000                                                                                                 Co. Laois

     

    Dated: 16th April 2019

     

    For further information and documentation regarding the Local Elections 2019, click here.

     

     

    Fógra Toghcháin

     

    Údarás Áitiúil:  Comhairle Chontae Laoise

     

    Táthar ar tí toghchán a reáchtáil chun comhaltaí do gach aon cheann de thoghlimistéir áitiúla a thoghadh don údarás áitiúil atá luaite thuas.

     

    Is féidir páipéir ainmniúcháin a fháil ón seoladh thíos le linn gnáthuaire oifige.

     

    Féadfaidh duine é féin nó í féin a ainmniú mar iarrthóir  i dtoghchán nó féadfaidh duine eile (is duine atá cláraithe mar thoghthóir rialtais aitiúil i limistéar an údaráis áitiúil a bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an duine an t-iarrthóir a ainmniú dó), mar mholtóir, é nó í a ainmniú, lena thoiliú nó lena toiliú i scríbhinn.

     

    Ní mór deimhniú cleamhnachta polaitíochta a bheith ag gabháil le páipéar ainmniúcháin ó iarrthóir páirtí polaitíochta cláraithe agus caithfear é a thabhairt ar aird domsa lena fhoirm/lena foirm ainmniúcháin chomhlánaithe.

     

    Mura mbeidh aon deimhniú tugtha ar aird ní mór don iarrthóir, roimh an am is déanaí chun ainmniúcháin a fháil, ceachtar den dá rud seo a dhéanamh –

     

    • cúig aontú dhéag leis an ainmniúchán a fháil trí dhearbhuithe reachtúla ó thoghthóirí rialtais áitiúil a bheidh cláraithe sa toghlimistéar áitiúil ábhartha (tá na foirmeacha ar fáil uaimse nó ón údarás cláraithe), nó

     

    • éarlais de €100 a íoc (is féidir éarlais a íoc thar ceann an iarrthóra freisin).

     

    Is é 12 meánlae an 4 lá de Bealtaine, 2019 an t-am is déanaí le hainmniúcháin a ghlacadh.

     

    Is féidir leis an iarrthóir nó lena mholtóir/a moltóir páipéir ainmniúcháin chomhlánaithe a sheachadadh chugam i bpearsa  tráth ar bith a bhím i m’oifig, ó 10 am an 27 lá de Aibreáin, 2019 go 12 meánlae ar an lá is déanaí le hainmniúcháin a ghlacadh.

     

    Tá ceangal orm faoin dlí a bheith i láthair le glacadh le hainmniúcháin idir 10 am agus 12 meán lae agus idir 2 pm agus 5 pm an 3 lá de Bealtaine, 2019 agus idir 10 am agus 12 meán lae an 4 lá de Bealtaine, 2019.

     

    Má bhíonn toghachán comhraic ann, reáchtálfar vótaíocht an 24 lá de Bealtaine, idir 7 am agus 10 pm.

     

    Donal Ó Braonáin                                                                              Áras an Chontae,

    An Ceann Comhairimh                                                                      Portlaoise,

    (057) 8664000                                                                                      Co. Laois

                                                                           

    Dáta:   16ú Aibreán, 2019

     

    Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais agus doiciméadachta maidir le Toghcháin Áitiúla 2019, cliceáil anseo.

     

  • Use of Disabled Parking Spaces

    Use of Disabled Parking Spaces

    Use of Disabled Parking Spaces

    It is an offence to park in a designated Disabled Bay without displaying a valid Disabled Parking Permit.   Where illegal parking in a disabled person’s bay is detected, a member of An Garda Siochána or a Traffic Warden employed by a the local authority can issue a Fixed Charge Notice.

    The person liable to be prosecuted for the offence has the option, in lieu of going to court, of making a fixed charge payment in the amount of €150 within 28 days from issue of the Notice or to pay that amount increased by 50%, i.e. a fixed charge in the amount of €225 within the next 28 day period.  If no payment is received within 56 days, court prosecution proceedings are initiated.

    The Disabled Parking Permit must only be used by the person to whom it is issued. The vehicle on which it is displayed must be parked to facilitate access by the holder, whose name and photograph are displayed on the card. Any abuse / misuse will result in its immediate withdrawal by the issuing authority.

    Laois County Council do not tolerate abuses of these spaces and enforce the Bye-Laws accordingly.

     

     

     

  • Laois Bealtaine Festival Programme

    A Huge number of events are happening in Laois for the Bealtaine Festival  don’t miss the opportunity to take part this year

    Come and join in the celebrations!

    For the month of May the Arts Office, Laois County Council invite people of an older age to join in some of the wonderful events that are happening in Laois for the Bealtaine Festival 2019. 

    In celebration of Creativity the theme for 2019  is “Hospitality” to signal the warm welcome offered by the festival. For more details Bealtaine Festival 2019

  • Annual Reporting Requirements – Political Donations by Third Parties

    A third party that receives a monetary donation in excess of €100 is required to register with their local authority, to open a political donations account and to submit a statement from a financial institution with a certificate and statutory declaration to their local authority no later than 31st March each year.

    A copy of the “Guidelines for Third Parties Concerning Donations” is now available to download here or on request from the Corporate Affairs Department. This document contains guidelines to assist third parties in meeting their obligations under the Act and contains information on registration requirements, donations limits, prohibited donations and the opening of political donations accounts.

  • Open Call Panel of facilitators for Arts and Culture Programme

    Open Call | Panel of Facilitators for Arts and Culture Programme

    Laois County Council Arts Service is seeking to create a panel of Creative facilitators to support the delivery of our creative arts programme 2019/2020.  Open to artists, creative practitioners and teachers with a deep understanding of creativity and its potential to transform the lives of children and young people. Open to creative professions such as artists, musicians, film makers, videographers, designers, street artists, circus artists, dance artists, graphic novelists, and craftspeople.  Whether from the arts, culture, heritage, creative industries, education, science or other sectors, they challenge, support and sustain new practice in the field of the arts, culture and creative learning.

    Facilitators selected for the panel may be chosen to deliver art and craft workshops, specialist talks, historical presentations, storytelling, music events and other tailored events to children, adults and specialist groups on an adhoc basis.

    Once CVs are collected and a panel devised;  panelists will be requested to forward event proposals for programmes such as; The Laois Arthouse Programme, Laois Bealtaine Festival, The Summer Arts Programme, The Creative Ireland Programme, National Drawing Day, and Laois Culture Night.

    This opportunity is open to facilitators who have experience in: arts and crafts activities for children, various fine art discipline workshops for adults, workshops for children and performance.

    To be considered for the panel, please email the following:

    1. A current facilitators CV with contact details
    2. A brief biography including your experience in facilitation
    3. Rates
    4. 2 x references relating to facilitation

    (a maximum of 4 images may be submitted)

    E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie on or before Friday 12th April.

     

  • Laois Creative Ireland Grant Scheme 2019

    Laois County Council wishes to announce a grant scheme as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2019.  The scheme will provide financial support to local and community groups, artistic and creative practitioners, event organisers and those involved in creative activities and projects, to encourage cultural participation throughout Laois.

    The level of grant assistance for any one project will range from €500-€3000.

    Open to not-for-profit organizations, local community groups, arts, heritage and cultural groups, venues and societies.  All applications received will be assessed based on an agreed selection criteria. The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 11th April 2019.

    Details and application forms can be downloaded here:  Laois 2019 Creative Ireland Grants Application Form or contact The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.  T: 057 8664033  E:  artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

     

    Muireann Ní Chonaill

    Arts Officer

    Laois County Council

    IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY

     

     

  • Experienced Individuals Required: Creative Ireland Programme

    Invitation to Tender for Laois Creative Ireland Programme 2019

    Laois County Council invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced individuals to project manage the 2019 Creative Ireland Programme.

    The Creative Ireland Programme is a five year all-of-Government initiative to place creativity at the centre of public policy. It is guided by a vision that every person in Ireland will have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential.

    A Sense of Place is the theme chosen for our Creative Ireland Laois Plan for 2018-2022. A county where culture and creativity are recognised as integral to life. The Creative Ireland Vision for Laois is to nurture and foster creative expression in all its diversity; to embrace and welcome new ideas; and to create the conditions to help turn those ideas into reality and embed creativity into all aspects of the social, economic and cultural life of Laois.

    Key projects for 2019 include assisting in the administering of Community Bursaries, Cruinniú na nÓg, assisting in the establishment of a Film Laois Office and delivery of key elements of the Creative Ireland Laois Strategy 2018-’22, as well as incorporating elements of the CI objectives into the Laois Arts programme, for example the Summer Arts Programme, Leaves Festival of Writing and Music, the Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois

    Closing date for receipt of proposals is Thursday 11 April at 4.30pm.

    Tender document  available here Creative-Ireland-Project-Manager-Tender or  E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie  T: 057 8664013/33

    All of the necessary documents required for the complete tender must be returned, in  hard copy, in a sealed envelope marked Tender for Laois Creative Ireland Project Management 2019.

    Proposals should be submitted to:

    Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer

    Laois County Council

    Áras an Chontae,

    Portlaoise,

    Co. Laois.

     

  • Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES)

    Public Notice

    191503_Notification Letter TWGs

    Proposed material amendments draft RSES

     

    The documents may also be inspected online at www.emra.ie

    Submissions or observations on the proposed material amendments only as set out in this report or the associated environmental report will be received between 15thMarch 2019 and 12th April 2019 (both dates inclusive) through one of the following media:

    3rd Floor North, Ballymun Civic Centre,

    Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin, D09 C8P5

    The Regional Assembly will consider all relevant submissions made in writing within the stated period before adopting the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.

    All submissions will be acknowledged but it will not be possible to issue individual responses.

    Please include the proposed amendment reference number (blue text in this document) as shown in this document to demonstrate validity of the submission.  Also state your name and address as part of your submission, and if you are representing another person, company or organisation, their full name and address.

    Please note that public submissions may be published on our website and subject to Freedom of Information.