Urgent Public Health Alert

Posted on By niamhmurray

The Department of Public Health HSE Dublin and North East wishes to advise members of the public about the risk of measles infection to non-immune individuals in the Dublin and North East region.

Since the beginning of March a number of confirmed measles cases have been notified to Public Health HSE Dublin and North East. In view of these cases occurring in this short period of time there is a risk of on-going community spread.

Following a recent notification of a confirmed measles case in the Dublin 15 area we wish to advise that members of the public may have been exposed to measles while:

  • Attending Ship Shape Kids Play Junction 6 Castleknock on the afternoon of 4th April 2024

Action needed:

  1. Be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days (i.e. 25th April 2024) from the time of possible exposure.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed. If you are in one of these groups, please seek advice from your GP.

If you or your child was at Ship Shape Kids Play on that afternoon, it is especially important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles, which include:

  • Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
  • Sore red eyes
  • A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
  • Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending any healthcare setting to let them know that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements.

  1. Ensure you are vaccinated.

If you/your child are not vaccinated against measles with two doses of MMR, please contact your GP as soon as possible during normal working hours to discuss whether you require vaccination.

If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or had measles illness, you are unlikely to require vaccination, as you are probably immune.

The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination. This can be arranged free of charge with your GP (focus on children) or in the HSE vaccination clinics for children (over the age of 5 years) and adults for whom vaccination is indicated– the times and locations are listed on the following web link:  MMR vaccine Catch-up Programme – HSE.ie

Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.

Further information about measles is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/

 

Contact HSE live for further information on measles (Freephone 1800 700 700)

 

Statement on behalf of Monaghan County Council’s Executive and the Elected Members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District in relation to proposed use of property at No. 50 Main Street, Carrickmacross

Posted on By niamhmurray

During the proceedings of Monaghan County Council’s monthly meeting, on Monday the 8th of April 2024, local councillors, together with senior officials, received a briefing note update, via E-mail, from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth advising that “31 beds will be provided for people seeking refuge in Ireland who are International Protection Applicants in HQ Accommodation, 50 Main Street, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.”

Subsequent to this communique, representatives of Monaghan County Council contacted Department officials to advise that in relation to the proposal at No. 50 Main Street, Carrickmacross, there continues to remain a number of non-compliance issues pertaining to Fire Safety, Building Regulations and Planning, and respective statutory requirements under the Fire Service Act, Building Control Act and Planning Act. In response, the Department confirmed that the proposal to use HQ Accommodation as a temporary emergency accommodation centre has been placed on hold until all concerns are addressed.

The elected members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District convened a Special meeting of the Municipal District Council on Tuesday the 9th of April 2024, to discuss the wider public concern, and the lack of consultation by Department officials with the elected members prior to the release of the briefing note update on the 8th of April 2024. Arising from this special sitting of the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District Council, the elected members sought an urgent meeting with Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Minister Heather Humphreys, local Oireachtas members, and senior officials from Monaghan County Council. Accordingly, a meeting with local Oireachtas members, including Minister Heather Humphreys, and senior members of the executive took place on Friday the 12th of April 2024.

Arising from that meeting the elected members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District have issued the following collective statement:

“As locally elected representatives, we are duty-bound to protect the interests, not only of the communities we serve, but also the wellbeing of those joining our communities. It is therefore paramount that we are kept fully informed on developments of this nature and the processes that apply in the selection of properties for use as temporary emergency accommodation centres. As recently as last November, we were advised by council officials that the property concerned was not considered fit for purpose as an emergency accommodation centre. At Friday’s meeting, it was confirmed to us, that in the considered opinion of the officials of Monaghan County Council, the property referred to as HQ Accommodation continues to remain unsuitable as an emergency accommodation centre. Moreover, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has advised that the proposal to use HQ Accommodation as a temporary emergency accommodation centre has now been placed on hold. This apparently contradictory communication from the Department, in the space of less than a week, does little to inspire public confidence and is totally unacceptable.

We are determined to ensure complete transparency in the procedures applied in welcoming international protection applicants into our communities. Fundamental to this, is ensuring that the accommodation provided meets the required standards. Providers of  facilities must be held to account, and greater oversight exercised in the selection of prospective properties. Basic humanitarian needs, including fit for purpose accommodation, medical care and education provision must be prioritised in the selection of suitable facilities. Public monies cannot, and must not, be spent on sub-standard facilities. Over the coming week, we the elected members of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, through the offices of our respective parties, shall be seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Roderic O’Gorman and his department officials to provide answers. The current situation cannot continue.”

 

Sean McDermott’s GFC – Community Walking Track Lighting Construction of MUGA, installation of outdoor fitness equipment and village landscaping

Posted on By niamhmurray
Funding for Walking track, lighting & MUGA was received from Sports Capital Fund €100,000 (Walking Track) CLÁR €50,000 (lighting of walking track) and Town & Village Renewal Scheme €100,000 (Village Enhancements & MUGA).
The community of Threemilehouse are getting ready to step into a new era of fitness and fun, as they officially open their brand-new Community Walking Track with enhanced lighting and a state-of-the-art Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) which is located in the grounds of Sean McDermott’s GAA grounds.
The enhancement of the recreational amenities and landscaping has helped create a more attractive location for people to live in, and to create more opportunities for social/community interaction, with positive health and lifestyle benefits.
Official opening by Minister Heather Humphreys took place yesterday.

Extension of Rossmore Forest Play Park

Posted on By niamhmurray
This project received funding of €150,000 under the Community Recognition Fund 2023.
Today see’s Monaghan County Council breaking ground on the exciting extension of Rossmore Forest Park Play Area. The turning of the sod will pave the way for even more fun and laughter for children of the area and further afield.
Sod Turning with Heather Humphreys took place yesterday along with MCC Cathaoirleach, Monaghan MD Cathaoirleach, Chief Executive and Elected Members in attendance.

Bog Garden along the Ulster Canal, Monaghan launched and complete!

Posted on By niamhmurray
 This project received funding of €30,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and match funding of just over €5,800 was provided by the Municipal District of Monaghan.
 
The Bog Garden is a #biodiversity gem, with species coming out from the adjacent woodland to populate the bog land habitat. Through the use of the outdoor classroom on the site, this amenity has become a learning resource and enhances the experience of the Greenway. 🌼
 
Discover the beauty of our new Bog Garden which is located along the tranquil Ulster Canal/Greenway. This redeveloped bog area will help showcase the rich biodiversity of our County. The bog garden also serves to showcase the natural splendours of nearby Sliabh Beagh which the Council is working to develop as natural tourism amenity in partnership with local communities. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑
 

Monaghan County Council has received Stage One approval for the provision of 50 social houses on a brownfield site in Latlorcan, Monaghan

Posted on By niamhmurray

Monaghan County Council has received Stage One approval for the provision of 50 social houses on a brownfield site in Latlorcan, Monaghan. The development will provide a mix of 2 bed, 3 bed and 4 bed houses including accessible bungalows for those with disabilities.

Announcing the funding approval Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council Cllr. David Maxwell stated “This €18 million euro investment will finish off the Latlorcan estate,  which has remained unfinished for several years , providing much needed homes in the Town.

Monaghan County council Chief Executive Robert Burns added “Providing good quality social and affordable housing in County Monaghan is a priority of mine. This announcement, will, I hope, be the first of many over the next number of months as the Housing Section accelerates delivery of housing in the County. The Housing Section expect works to begin in the last quarter of 2024 with tenants moving in sometime in 2026.”

New development called Slí na Coille in Mullaghmatt, Monaghan

Posted on By niamhmurray

Monaghan County Council have announced that they have received funding for a new development called Slí na Coille in Mullaghmatt, Monaghan.🏡

The site has been an unfinished development for many years and the news has been welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council Cllr. David Maxwell “This site has been a problem for many years in this area. I am delighted that the Council has finally acquired it and intend developing it for social housing” The development will consist of a mix of 2 and 3 bed houses, and it is hoped that modern methods of construction will be utilised. Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council Robert Burns added, “I am very keen for the Council to utilise Modern Methods of Construction such as timber frame, light gauge steel or volumetric pre-cast concrete in this development.

The benefits of this approach include reduce time for completion, enhances quality and providing good value for money”

Development is expected to begin towards the end of 2024.

Polling Day Orders made for European, local and Limerick mayoral elections

Posted on By niamhmurray

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mr. Darragh O’Brien, T.D.,  has today 05 April 2024) made orders appointing Friday, 7 June 2024 as the polling day and the hours of 7.00a.m. to 10.00p.m. to be the hours of polling at the European Parliament, local and Limerick mayoral elections.

The Minister has appointed Barry Ryan, a Principal Officer in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to be the chief returning officer for the European Parliament elections.  He has also appointed returning officers for the three European Parliament constituencies in which 14 MEPs are to be elected for the 2024-2029 parliamentary term.

Mr. Fergus Gallagher, Dublin County Sheriff, will be returning officer for the 4 seat Dublin constituency. Ms. Marian Chambers Higgins, Galway County Registrar, will be returning officer for the 5 seat Midlands-North-West constituency. Mr. Martin Harvey, Cork City Sheriff, will be returning officer for the 5 seat South constituency.  The three constituencies are specified in the Electoral Amendment (Amendment) Act 2023.

 

European election candidate nominations

The returning officers for the three European constituencies will in the coming days give public notice of the times for receiving nominations and of the application requirements.

 

Local election candidate nominations

The local authority returning officers for local elections will also give public notice of the times for receiving nominations and of the application requirements.

 

Limerick mayoral election candidate nominations

The returning officer for the Limerick mayoral elections will also give public notice of the times for receiving nominations and of the application requirements.

Voter Registration

A person eligible to vote but not yet registered as an elector still has time to apply for entry in the  register of electors. To be eligible to vote a person must be 18 years of age or over on or before polling day and be ordinarily resident in the constituency in which you wish to vote. You must also be included on the Register of Electors.

Everyone is encouraged to check that their details are correct and up to date at checktheregister.ie.

Eligible voters who are not on the register, or who need to update their details, for example because they have moved house, can do so by submitting an online application at www.checkthereigster.ie or by submitting a form to their local authority.  Relevant application forms are available from City, County or City and County Councils (these are the registration authorities) or online at www.checktheregister.ie

 

Completed applications must be received by the registration authority for the area in which you reside by Monday, 20 May 2024.

If a person is eligible to vote by post, or is unable to vote in person due to an illness or disability and is resident in a hospital, nursing home, mental health facility or similar institution, and they are not on the Postal Voters List or Special Voters List, as appropriate, they can apply up to Saturday, 11 May 2024 for inclusion in those lists. Application forms are available from City, County or City and County Councils and online at www.checktheregister.ie.

 

Election posters

With arrangements for the 2024 local elections now set, the Minister clarified the time period during which candidates can exhibit election posters.  Candidates can only erect posters from 8 May 2024, which is 30 days before the polling date.  There is a requirement for candidates to remove all posters within 7 days of the poll.

 

 

 

Major Tourism Initiatives for County Monaghan as new Tourism Strategy announced and Tourism and Recreation Forum established

Posted on By niamhmurray
  • Development of Tourism Strategy for County Monaghan 2023-2028
  • Establishment of formalised voluntary forum of key tourism and recreation stakeholders to support the delivery of the strategy.

 

Cllr David Maxwell, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, officially launched the new Tourism Strategy for County Monaghan 2023 – 2028 at an event in the Council Chamber in Monaghan on Thursday 4th April.

The strategy comes at a time when there are significant challenges in the tourism industry and it identifies a series of actions which are designed to enhance the potential of tourism as a key driver of County Monaghan’s economy. The integrated forum structure is anticipated to become an enabler for the coordinated delivery of tourism products, services and experiences to realise the ambition of the strategy.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Maxwell stated that ‘Today is just the start of a significant journey for tourism in the county. Monaghan has fantastic potential as a tourist destination but it requires further development of, and investment into facilities and experiences to drive job creation and economic benefit. Monaghan County Council has committed to this process by developing this strategy, by adding additional resources to our Tourism Unit and by establishing a Tourism & Recreation forum to help drive progress. We look forward to working with stakeholders and industry partners as we implement this strategy.”

In attendance at the strategy launch was Matt Mohan, Independent Chair of the new Tourism & Recreation Forum for Monaghan who hosted the inaugural meeting of the forum immediately after the strategy launch.

In his speech, Matt Mohan, said that as a proud Monaghan man, he was ‘honoured to be asked to spearhead this initiative and to work in partnership with key stakeholders to unlock Monaghan’s tourism potential. I am committed to adding value wherever I can, assisting with the challenges ahead and driving the forum forward while maintaining a focus on sustainability and a greener future’.

Robert Burns, CE of Monaghan County Council added that ‘The vision for Monaghan is to create a sustainable, engaging destination which will provide authentic, place-based visitor experiences. To this end, we have developed an ambitious strategy and have established a mechanism which will support us in achieving it. I’m confident that we have an experienced forum team now in place to provide the necessary momentum to alter the trajectory of Monaghan’s tourism economy’.

 

For more information please contact:

Dympna Condra, Tourism Officer, Monaghan County Council

dcondra@monaghancoco.ie

 

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