Author: jmcanenly

Monaghan County Council has today adopted a €94m budget package that supports capital and economic investment into the future, provides for high quality public services and sustainable development of our businesses and communities. This is the largest budget in the history of Monaghan County Council and represents a 5% increase compared to budget 2024. The budget is aligned to our Corporate Plan and provides for the services and projects that aims to meet the needs of the people of County Monaghan, as well as additional staff for new and ongoing services and extra funding for our Municipal Districts.

Monaghan County Council, Cathaoirleach Cathy Bennett said:

“I am delighted to approve this budget as it signals Monaghan County Council’s plans for economic growth, it’s increase in local employment and support for businesses and communities throughout the county.”

Monaghan County Council, Chief Executive Robert Burns said:

“The Budget has been prepared with the objective of funding the continuation of existing and new, high-quality public services, maintaining our roads, meeting our climate action objectives, supporting social, cultural, economic and tourism development and supporting our business communities. I believe this budget demonstrates, as a Council, that we are focused on prudent financial management and investment in the future development of Co. Monaghan.”

SIRO AND VODAFONE ANNOUNCED AS CONNECTIVITY PARTNERS FOR CARRICKMACROSS C:TEK II ENTERPRISE HUB

MONAGHAN’S NEWEST ENTERPRISE HUB, C:TEK II, JOINS THE SIRO-VODAFONE GIGABIT HUB INITIATIVE

SIRO and Vodafone have been announced as connectivity partners for Monaghan’s newest enterprise hub, C:TEK II. The Carrickmacross enterprise hub was officially opened earlier this month by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D., with representatives from Monaghan County Council, Enterprising Monaghan, elected representatives and other key stakeholders all in attendance.

The C:TEK II Hub has now also joined the Gigabit Hub Initiative. The Initiative is a partnership between SIRO and Vodafone, which brings Gigabit Fibre Connectivity to remote working and digital hubs across Ireland. C:TEK II is joining a host of other successful Hubs across Ireland, such as Dundalk’s Creative Spark, Galway’s PorterShed and Skibbereen Ludgate Hub which have already benefitted from the Initiative. C:TEK II is the 24^th Hub to join the Initiative.

The C:TEK II Hub can now provide businesses and tenants with high-speed, high-quality fibre connectivity, supported by SIRO’s 100% fibre network, which can provide speeds of up to 25 Gigabits,  future proofing the service for decades to come. This means that as the bandwidth and speed needs of Monaghan businesses grow in the years to come the C:TEK II Hub can continue to keep pace with their needs.

C:Tek II is already proving hugely popular with the Carrickmacross and wider Monaghan business community, with 11 tenants already availing of the 17 units onsite. The new hub compliments the existing C:Tek I building located next door, which has been open for several years. The new Hub is already supporting 50 jobs. Businesses using the Hub include a home care provider, an accountancy firm, an executive car rental company and physical therapist, among others. Overall, the 1,450-square-meter facility supports regional talent retention, provides a work base for former commuters, and attracts start-ups from Monaghan and surrounding counties.

Offering a range of office options, from hot desks to private spaces, C:Tek II is designed to meet the needs of various users, from solo entrepreneurs to established enterprises. Its extensive facilities, including ample parking and kitchen spaces, allowing tenants to work in a flexible, professional environment close to home. As C: Tek II continues to grow, it plans to host community events and offer further professional development opportunities, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for local business success and innovation.

Robert Burns, CEO of Monaghan County Council stated:

“Supporting innovation and driving economic growth in the region are top priorities for Monaghan County Council. We are confident that the partnership between SIRO and Vodafone will significantly advance these goals. The Gigabit Hub Initiative, with its provision of high-speed connectivity, will foster the development of new businesses in the Carrickmacross area and promote sustainable job creation throughout the region”.

John Keaney, SIRO Chief Executive Officer said:

“We’re pleased to partner with Monaghan County Council to bring Gigabit connectivity to C:TEK II, a vital addition to Carrickmacross that supports local business growth and job creation. Through the Gigabit Hub Initiative, we are committed to empowering business communities across Ireland by providing the high-speed, reliable infrastructure they need to innovate, attract talent, and expand into new markets. C:Tek II is an excellent example of how world-class connectivity can drive regional economic growth, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the local community.”

Amanda Nelson, Vodafone Ireland CEO commented: “Vodafone is pleased to partner with Enterprising Monaghan to provide 100% fibre broadband at their new Carrickmacross facility as part of our Gigabit Hub Initiative. This high-speed connectivity will serve as an asset for the facility’s thriving community of businesses, start-ups, and remote professionals, enabling them with the digital infrastructure essential for growth and success, both locally and beyond.”

Find out more about C: Tek I & II at www.enterprisingmonaghan.ie

Monaghan County Council has announced that 1,161 businesses in the county have received €3,165,021.46 in grant funding under the Government’s Increased Cost of Business scheme.

The ICOB grant was designed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to help SME’s with the increased costs associated with running a business and was administered by the Local Authorities.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke said:

“I was delighted to get Government approval for this important Scheme to help small and medium enterprises who are the backbone of our economy. I have spoken to dozens of businesses around the country who availed of the €240m paid out so far and we will continue to work with and support them.

“I would also like to acknowledge the work of the local authorities across the country and thank all the staff involved.  They have contributed hugely to the success of the Scheme.”

Monaghan County Council Chief Executive Officer Robert Burns said:

“I am delighted that we in Monaghan County Council have been able to facilitate the payment of the ICOB grant to local small and medium enterprises businesses across the county.  I am also particularly proud that the MyCoCo build-to-share software platform developed by Monaghan County Council was instrumental in the effective and efficient administration and payment of the grant nationally.”

A total of €257 million was made available under the Scheme.

Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Sports Partnership Welcome

Swim Ireland Pop-Up Pool to Carrickmacross

Monaghan County Council, Monaghan Local Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland are delighted to announce the arrival of a Pop-Up Pool in Carrickmacross Town. Located just 400m off the Oriel Road in Carrickmacross, adjacent to the Carrick Aces Athletic Club (Eircode – A81 DX50), the facility will be operational from the 16^th of September 2024 through to Spring 2025. “The Pool that comes to the People” is 12m by 3.4m with the water heated to a toasty 30 degrees. Housed in a hard-sided marquee, this accessible pool is the ideal place to learn to swim, hone your skills or just remember how great it feels to block out the world and dip your head in the water!

Swim Ireland are working closely with Monaghan Local Sports Partnership on delivering  a number of community-based pool programmes. The programmes are aimed at everyone from children, teens, older adults, and people with disabilities, to minority groups. Organisers are currently engaging with local schools and community groups, with bookings also now open for learn to swim sessions. Private sessions for events such as birthday parties are also available. A full breakdown of all that is on offer and details on booking arrangements is available on the Swim Ireland website at https://swimireland.ie/get-swimming/pop-up-pool/carrickmacross/

Cathaoirleach of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, Cllr. PJ O’Hanlon welcomed the arrival of the pop-up pool saying “this is another good news story for the people of south Monaghan and surrounding areas. I wholeheartedly welcome this amenity to the town of Carrickmacross and encourage people of all ages and abilities to avail of it use over the coming months. We are all aware of the demand for a swimming pool in Carrickmacross Town and that there is a feasibility study currently underway. The arrival of the pop-up pool recognises this fact and hopefully it is a positive indicator for what is to come in the future. I want to thank all involved for their hard work and effort in bringing the pop-up pool to Carrickmacross – Municipal District staff, the staff from Monaghan Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland. Finally, I want to pay particular mention to our Chief Executive, Mr. Robert Burns, without whom this project would not have happened,”

In welcoming the facility, Monaghan County Council Chief Executive, Mr. Robert Burns said “the arrival of the pop-up pool in Carrickmacross reinforces Monaghan County Council’s commitment to the development of sporting and amenity facilities to support the health and wellbeing of our communities. The pop-up pool presents an opportunity to learn to swim, which is such an important life skill, alongside the health and social benefits of participating in swimming. In a wider context, the arrival of the pop-up pool is particularly timely in the context of the feasibility study currently underway for the provision of a swimming pool and leisure complex in Carrickmacross Town, and the experience gained from operating the pop-up pool will help inform this assessment. The Chief Executive concluded by commending the hard work and partnership approach adopted by Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, Monaghan Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland in delivering this project.”

Swim Ireland CEO, Ms. Sarah Keane commented “We are delighted to work with Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Sports Partnership to bring a Pop-Up Pool to Carrickmacross. Swimming is a life-skill, and one that it is vital for every child. The Pop-Up Pool is a fantastic opportunity to teach children and adults in the area to swim. We look forward to welcoming the people of Carrickmacross and surrounding areas, of all ages and abilities, to experience the pool and take advantage of the opportunities available.”