Public urged to consider alternatives to pesticides for gardening, farming and maintenance of sports grounds: 11 pesticide exceedances in Emyvale and Glaslough drinking water supplies in 2019 and 2020

11 pesticide exceedances in Emyvale and Glaslough drinking water supplies in 2019 and 2020

 

Public urged to consider alternatives to pesticides for gardening, farming and maintenance of sports grounds

 

Issued Tuesday, 16 March 2021 – Eleven exceedances for the pesticide MCPA were detected in the public drinking water supplies in Emyvale and Glaslough in 2019 and 2020. MCPA is an active substance present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control the growth of thistles, docks and rushes and remains the most commonly detected pesticide in Ireland. These exceedances were detected as part of Irish Water’s public water supply monitoring programme.

 

Emyvale and Glaslough drinking water supplies both abstract raw water from Emy Lough, which is vulnerable to runoff from land. Irish Water is asking users of any herbicide or pesticide products in these catchments to consider the vulnerability of the water supplies to pesticide contamination and the importance of these supplies to the local homes and businesses in the community.

 

Irish Water, working in partnership with a range of organisations involved in the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG), is asking the farming community, greens keepers, grounds keepers, and domestic users, to consider in each case whether they need to use pesticides at all. Minimising pesticide use not only helps to protect water quality but also has wider environmental benefits. For example, leaving areas unsprayed can help native flowering plant species to grow and support a range of insects including bees and other vital pollinators. One third of Ireland’s bee species are threatened with extinction and by helping the bee population survive and thrive we are also helping to protect our precious water sources. For more information on practical ways to help bees and other pollinators, check out the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan at www.pollinators.ie

 

Where pesticide use is considered necessary, the NPDWAG is working with the community to ensure that best practice measures to protect drinking water sources and biodiversity are always followed. Farmers and other landholders dealing with the challenge of tackling rushes should note that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has developed new guidance on the sustainable management of rushes. The new approach is based on the concepts of containment or suppression, and aims to minimise the use of pesticides. More information on this can be obtained from your local farm advisor or on www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/waterprotection

 

The efforts to reduce the incidence and level of these detections are being coordinated by the NPDWAG. This group is chaired by the DAFM. All of the key stakeholders are represented in this group and include other Government departments and agencies; local authorities; industry representative bodies; farming organisations; water sector organisations; and amenity sector organisations.

 

Dr Pat O’Sullivan, Irish Water’s Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said: “In Co Monaghan, the exceedances of the drinking water regulations for MCPA were noted in the Emyvale and Glaslough public water supplies following routine sampling. What’s disappointing is that number of incidents in Emyvale drinking water supply remained the same in 2019 and in 2020 showing no improvement.

 

“While our consultation with the HSE has concluded that the levels seen do not represent a threat to public health, it is however undesirable and therefore imperative that users of pesticides are mindful of best practice when using herbicides or pesticides and seek out alternatives.”

 

Adding to this, Dr Aidan Moody, DAFM and Chair of NPDWAG commented: “The continued engagement of all stakeholders, working in partnership, is needed to tackle this issue. Users of pesticides should always consider alternatives in the first instance and if pesticides are essential make sure that they are aware of the best practice measures that should be followed to protect water quality.”

 

Recent drinking water monitoring results for Ireland show that a number of active substances contained in herbicide products used in agriculture, amenity and gardens, such as 2,4-D, fluroxypyr, glyphosate, MCPA, mecoprop and triclopyr, are being regularly detected.

 

If pesticides have to be used, the basic steps to reduce risks to drinking water sources and the aquatic environment are:

  • Choose the right pesticide product (note that products containing MCPA are NOT approved for use in weed-wipers.)
  • Read and follow the product label
  • Determine the right amount to purchase and use
  • Don’t use pesticides if rain is forecast in the next 48 hours
  • Make sure you are aware of the location of all nearby water courses
  • Comply with any buffer zone specified on the product label to protect the aquatic environment. Mark out the specified buffer zone from the edge of the river or lake or other water course and drainage ditches
  • Avoid spills, stay well back from open drains and rinse empty containers 3 times into the sprayer.
  • Store and dispose of pesticides and their containers properly.
  • Never fill a sprayer directly from a water course or carry out mixing, loading or other handling operations beside a water course

Further guidance:

ENDS

For media queries contact Toni Bourke, Business Stakeholder and Communications Manager, Irish Water, toni.bourke@ervia.ie

 

Notes to editors

The term ‘pesticides’ includes a wide range of synthetic chemicals used for the control of unwanted pests (commonly weeds and insects). The term pesticides includes herbicides used to prevent, destroy, or controls plant growth. While the amount of public water schemes with elevated levels of pesticides above the allowed standard is very small in Ireland, there is increasing evidence of pesticides in water sources as a result of run-off from weed control products on hard surfaces, gardening, agriculture or forestry. The detection of an individual pesticide at levels above the allowed value tells us that there may have been careless or excessive use of a product in the drinking water catchment.

 

The highest incidences of pesticide exceedances encountered in Ireland’s drinking water is MCPA, a an active substance present in many commonly used herbicide products used to control the growth of thistle, dock and rush.

 

What risk does this pose and what is the response? 

The levels of pesticides we are detecting from our monitoring programmes do not pose any immediate risk to health. For example the allowable limit for MCPA in drinking water is 7,000 times lower than what the World Health Organisation deems to be a lifetime health based limit.

 

Irish Water strongly believes that the key to reducing pesticide levels in drinking water is to prevent them entering the aquatic environment in the first place and inform the general public of the correct and safe use of pesticides. A national group called the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG) has been formed to take action to address pesticides and devise and deliver various awareness raising and educational campaigns. This group has members from numerous state bodies and organisations including the EPA, Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, Local Authorities and Irish Water.

 

Details of the key stakeholders that are represented on the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG) include:

 

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH)

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Health Service Executive (HSE)

City and County Manager’s Association (CCMA)

Irish Water (IW)

Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO)

Teagasc

Irish Farmers Association (IFA)

Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA)

Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)

Federation of Agrochemical Retail Merchants (FARM)

Confederation of Golf in Ireland

Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI)

National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS)

Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA)

Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP)

Hardware Association Ireland (HAI)

 

 

In the case of individual pesticide exceedances Irish Water engages with the relevant statutory authorities with responsibility for protecting the catchment in that area (e.g. Local Authority Environment Sections, EPA catchment units) to investigate the possible cause of the contamination and take any necessary remedial actions

Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID

Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID

The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment has recently launched the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) which is intended to target those businesses with operating costs that do not qualify for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners.

The eligibility criteria for both schemes are similar. The main difference between SBASC and CRSS is the requirement, in the case of CRSS, for the public to have access to a business premises.  SBASC also aligns with recently announced grant schemes for the tourism, arts and entertainment sectors.

The grant, which is available as a contribution towards fixed costs to assist a business to keep operational for an eventual re-opening, is only available to an applicant operating from a rateable property.

The scheme covers the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021. Each eligible applicant will receive a payment of €4,000 with an additional payment of €4,000 from May 2021 to applicants continuing to meet the scheme eligibility criteria.

If you have any queries, please contact us by email at sbasc@monaghancoco.ie or by telephone at 047 73739.

To access the application form, eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions, please click here:

Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID

Monaghan County Council Notices 11th March 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lambing time has now begun.

In the last month two sheep attacks were reported to the Dog Warden, one near Clones and one near Lough Egish.

These attacks cause great cruelty to sheep and lambs. These attacks result in serious losses for the farmer.

 

Any dog, large or small, may become involved in attacking sheep – MAKE SURE YOUR DOG DOESN’T GET THE CHANCE!

If you own a dog or dogs, you are required to:

  • Keep your dog under control at all times. This means not allowing your dog off your property unaccompanied.
  • Have a microchip certificate of registration which proves that your dog is microchipped and registered to you. (Required since 2016)
  • Ensure that every dog under your control wears a collar bearing the name and address of the owner at all times and that the name and address are legible.
  • Have a current licence for each dog in your possession or a general dog licence to cover all dogs in your possession. YOU CAN NOW BUY YOUR DOG LICENCE ONLINE AT monaghan.ie

PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOG LICENCED, TAGGED, MICROCHIPPED AND UNDER CONTROL

Brendan Smyth

County Veterinary Officer

11th March 2021

 

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Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999

 

 

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the above legislation, Donation Statements for the year 2020 have been received from all Members of Monaghan County Council.   The statements pertaining to the individual members are available for inspection during normal office hours at the offices of Monaghan County Council, County Offices, The Glen, Monaghan.

 

 

Cathal Flynn

A/Director of Corporate Services

11th March 2021

 

 

 

 

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Political Donations

 

Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999, as amended

 

Third Parties

 

 

  1. Third Parties

Individuals, parties/groups etc., other than a registered political party or a candidate at a local election, involved in political activity or other campaigning relating to the policy or functions of a local authority or other statutory body in which are vested functions in relation to local government must comply with certain requirements under the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999, as amended. Such persons are described in the legislation as “third parties”.

 

  1. Responsibilities of Third Parties

2.1       If, in any particular year, such an individual or group receive a donation exceeding €100.00 for a political purpose (defined in the Act), they are required to register with the local authority in whose functional area the local political matter arises.

 

2.2       Any such third party must:

  • open an account in a financial institution in the State if they receive a monetary donation for political purposes in a year which exceeds €100.00 and lodge that donation and any further donation received during the year.
  • furnish to the appropriate local authority, not later than the 31 March in every year, a statement specifying the transactions that have taken place on that account;
  • not accept a donation for political purposes which exceeds €2,500.00; and must
  • not accept a donation of any value given by a non Irish citizen who resides outside the State or body corporate or unincorporated body of persons which does not keep an office in the island of Ireland from which the carrying out of one or more of its principal activities is directed.

 

  1. Offence

It is an offence for a person who is required to comply with any of the above requirements to fail to do so.

 

  1. Individuals or organisations who consider that the third party provisions may apply to them should contact:

 

Cathal Flynn

A/Director of Services

Monaghan County Council

 

  1. Third party statements must be furnished not later than 31st March 2021.

 

Cathal Flynn

A/Director of Services               

11th March 2021  

 

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PART 8

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)

Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 81(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) for development at Monantin and Creevagh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan

 

The proposed development will consist of the infilling of lands and raising of ground levels using imported inert material consisting of natural excavated sub-soil and stones, and builders rubble to a depth of approximately 1 – 2 metres over an area of 0.423Ha and all associated site works and site access road. The land will be infilled with imported inert material not exceeding 25,000 tonnes. This development will require a Certificate of Registration in accordance with the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007, as amended.

 

In accordance with Article 81(ca) and 120(1B)(b)(i) of the above-mentioned regulations, Monaghan County Council, as the competent authority, has concluded from a Screening Determination, based on an examination of the nature, size and location of the proposed development that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and as such has determined that an EIA is not required.  The details of which are available to the general public.

At any time before the expiration of 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, any person may apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the proposed development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development may be inspected or purchased, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, from 11th March 2021 to 8th April 2021 inclusive at the offices of Monaghan County Council, Ballybay-Clones Municipal District Office, The Market House, Clones, or the offices of the Planning Authority, No1 Dublin Street, Monaghan. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, please contact the above-mentioned offices to make an appointment to view the documents of this application. All submitted documentation can be viewed at http://www.eplanning.ie/MonaghanCC/searchexact

 

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development will be situated, may be made in writing to Monaghan County Council, Planning Offices, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan, H18 X982 up to 5pm on 22nd April 2021.

Adge King

Director of Services

11th March 2021

 

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PART 8

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)

Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 81(1) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) for development at Lislanly, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

 

The proposed development will consist of the construction of a concrete hard-standing area, weighbridge and wheel wash facilities for the purpose of reception, storage and transfer of inert waste by the local authority, where the annual intake does not exceed 10,000 tonnes, and (a) the maximum amount of waste dispatched from the facility for onward transport and disposal does not exceed 1,500 tonnes per annum, and (b) a period of storage of waste for disposal does not exceed 30 days. This development will require a Certificate of Registration in accordance with the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007, as amended.

 

In accordance with Article 81(ca) and 120(1B)(b)(i) of the above-mentioned regulations, Monaghan County Council, as the competent authority, has concluded from a Screening Determination, based on an examination of the nature, size and location of the proposed development that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development and as such has determined that an EIA is not required.  The details of which are available to the general public.

At any time before the expiration of 4 weeks from the date of publication of this notice, any person may apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the proposed development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development may be inspected or purchased, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, from 11th March 2021 to 8th April 2021 inclusive at the offices of Monaghan County Council, Ballybay-Clones Municipal District Office, The Market House, Clones, or the offices of the Planning Authority, No1 Dublin Street, Monaghan. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, please contact the above mentioned offices to make an appointment to view the documents of this application. All submitted documentation can be viewed at http://www.eplanning.ie/MonaghanCC/searchexact

 

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development will be situated, may be made in writing to Monaghan County Council, Planning Offices, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan, H18 X982 up to 5pm on 22nd April 2021.

 

Adge King

Director of Services

11th March 2021

 

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Temporary Closing of Roads

 

Monaghan County Council gives notice to close the following roads in the Municipal District of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney in County Monaghan:

 

Dates of closure:        Between Monday 5th April 2021 and Friday 1st October 2021

between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm

 

Each Road will be closed for a maximum of 4 weeks within the Closure Period

 

To facilitate:               Road Improvement Works

 

Roads Closed:

  • LP 4630-0 in the Townland of Inniskeen Glebe
  • LP 4100 & LS-8150-0 in the Townland of Creevy
  • LS 8132-0 in the Townland of Corravoo
  • LT 49032-0 in the Townland of Scalkill
  • LT 81521-0 in the Townland of Rathmore
  • LT 49032-0 in the Townland of Drumgurra
  • LT 46034-0 in the Townland of Drumboat
  • R178 Shercock road Roundabout in the Townland of Drummond Etra
  • R178 Dundalk road Roundabout in the Townland of Drummond Otra
  • R178-6 Farney Street in the Townland of Drummond Otra
  • R179-6 O’Neill Street in the Townland of Drummond Otra

 

All Detours will be signposted in order to direct the Traffic. (Local Access and Emergency Vehicles will be catered for at all times).

 

This notice complies with the Roads Act 1993 (Section 75)

 

Gareth McMahon

A/Senior Engineer

11th March 2021

 

Monaghan Women’s Assembly Launch: 8th March 2021

Monaghan Women’s Assembly Launch: 8th March 2021

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Minister Heather Humphreys TD officially launched Monaghan Women’s Assembly on 8th March 2021.
Over 200 people joined the online event to hear about the work Monaghan Women’s Assembly hopes to achieve.
There were wonderful contributions from all our speakers on their experiences as a woman working in Monaghan.
Monaghan Women’s Assembly will bring the voice of local women into local politics.
You can watch the event here https://tinyurl.com/live-eventMCCwomenassembly

 

€13.11 Million approved for Dublin Street Regeneration Project

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien this morning (8th March) announced that €13.11 million has been awarded to the Dublin Street Regeneration project under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF).

Warmly welcoming the Government’s funding announcement of €13.11 million for the Dublin Street Regeneration Project in Monaghan town, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Mr Eamonn O’Sullivan said “This project will revitalise Monaghan Town, in regenerating this area we will bring renewed energy into the town and will make it a great place to live, work and visit.”

 

The Dublin Street Regeneration project aims to regenerate a large brownfield site in the core of Monaghan Town. The proposal includes the creation of new linkages between land-locked brownfield lands and the existing town street network, and the creation of new public spaces. The project will deliver the infrastructure works and development of suitable, serviced and accessible development lands, creating the physical environment for the development of new buildings for mixed-use purposes.

The proposal involves two sub-projects:

  • Dublin Street South – creation of new, high quality linkages between the core retail area of the town, the new shopping centre and existing civic uses.
  • Dublin Street North – development of a Masterplan for the area, to include the provision of three new development block areas and areas of opportunity for reuse/adaptation and infill development in the town. The Masterplan will define a new urban quarter.

The proposal has the potential to be a transformative place-making intervention in the core of the town.

The €13.11 million in approved funding is in addition to €1.29 million in approved URDF funding for the Dublin Street Regeneration project (a ‘Call 1’ project).  Total URDF funding approved to date: €14.40 million

Heather Humphreys, TD – Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, Cavan-Monaghan, at the Dublin St backlands when she announced the funding of €13.1M for the Dublin Street and Backlands Regeneration Scheme, with Cllr. David Maxwell and Paul Clifford, Monaghan County Council. ©Rory Geary/The Northern Standard
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Municipal District, Cllr. Seamus Treanor and members of the Monaghan Municipal District when they welcomed the announcement of the funding of €13.1M for the Dublin St and Backlands Regeneration Scheme. In photo are (L-R) Cllr Sean Conlon, Cathal Flynn, A/Director of Services, Donal McElwain, Monaghan Municipal District Coordinator, Cllr. David Maxwell, John Murray, Director of Services, Cllr. Seamus Treanor, Cathaoirleach, Monaghan Municipal District, Eamonn O’Sullivan, Chief Executive, Monaghan County Council, Cllr/ Paudge Connolly, Cllr. Cathy Bennett and Noel Finnegan, Senior Executive Engineer, Monaghan County Council. ©Rory Geary/The Northern Standard
Senator Robbie Gallagher and Cllr. Raymond Aughey, when they welcomed the funding of €13.1M for the Dublin St and Backlands Scheme, which was announced on Monday. ©Rory Geary/The Northern Standard
Heather Humphreys, TD – Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, Cavan-Monaghan, at the Dublin St backlands when she announced the funding of €13.1M for the Dublin St and Backlands Regeneration Scheme, with Cllr. David Maxwell, Paul Clifford, Monaghan County Council and Noel Finnegan, Senior Executive Engineer, Monaghan County Council. ©Rory Geary/The Northern Standard

Message from HSE: COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

Public Health Measures

Ireland is at level 5 restrictions.

You can see the measures in place here.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out nationwide, and more than 446,474 vaccines have been administered as of the 1st March 2021. As we move into next week, vaccination of Group 3 continues, with people aged 80 and over being invited for their vaccines by GPs. When this group is complete, we’ll move on to the next age-group, those aged 75 and over, then 70 and over. We expect to have this group vaccinated, with both doses, by the middle of May.

 

The HSE is also starting to make arrangements to vaccinate people with certain health conditions that put them at very high risk if they get COVID-19. This is being organised initially through hospital teams who are caring for people in this new Group 4, and will start with some patients from the week of March 8th also. It will take a little extra time to identify and invite all of the people in these groups, but we will move forward as quickly as possible.

 

Who is included in this group?

You can see a detailed list of who is included in this group here on the gov.ie website. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/39038-provisional-vaccine-allocation-groups/#aged-16-69-and-at-very-high-risk-of-severe-covid-19-disease

 

What do I need to do?

As with Group 3, people do not need to register in advance or take any action at this time. Your hospital or healthcare team will contact you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated.

 

Which vaccine will be given?

This new Group 4 will be offered the AstraZeneca vaccine. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advised any of the approved vaccines are suitable for use for patients in this group and that the priority was to offer an effective vaccine as quickly as possible.

 

The immune system of some of the people in Group 4, for example people with cancer or kidney failure, may not always work as well as most other people’s immune system. For this reason, NIAC advised that there might be a stronger immune response in those people if they got the mRNA vaccine. NIAC also said that if those patients would have to wait 3 weeks or more to get the mRNA vaccine, it was better to give them an available vaccine now. This is because all of the vaccines are showing huge benefit in preventing severe disease so the sooner people are vaccinated, the better.

 

The available deliveries of mRNA vaccine for the next few weeks are committed to the group of people aged 70 years and older (Group 3). It would take weeks before there was mRNA vaccine available for patients in Group 4. The AstraZeneca vaccine is available from next week. Given the risk of catching COVID-19 while waiting for the mRNA vaccine we consider that it is far safer give people in Group 4 the AstraZeneca vaccine as soon as possible rather than wait to offer them an mRNA vaccine later. This also fits with the advice from NIAC to avoid a long delay.

 

How effective is this vaccine?

The AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines all provide a very high level of excellent protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. The initial research study of the AstraZeneca vaccine initially showed infection protection of about 60%, but most recent studies showed protection above 80% with two doses.

 

What should I do now?

Your hospital or healthcare team will get in touch with you over the coming weeks when it’s your turn to have the vaccine.

 

You can find the patient information leaflet from AstraZeneca here on the HSE website, and this is also being produced in a range of languages, and in Easy-Read format.

 

Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Information

We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:

 

COVID-19 Infection Prevention Control Guidance for Staff Working in Acute and Community Mental Health Services
Friday, 5th March (from 12-1pm)

You can register for the webinar here.
For telephone access, please use the following:
Irish dial in number: 01 5260058

Access code: 181 885 1749

 

New Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship (IPC and AMS) eLearning Foundation Programme

There is now a new HSE funded infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship (IPC and AMS) eLearning foundation programme available at no charge, and each of the learning modules is accredited with continuing education points from the RCPI.

 

The programme has been developed by the HSE’s national Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Team (AMRIC), and is accessible free of charge to staff, individuals and non HSE organisations who provide health and social care services.

 

The programme has been designed to support all health and social care staff to protect themselves, the people they care for and their colleagues from the spread of infection by promoting best practice with respect to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Prescribing, Management and Stewardship in line with the 2020 HSE Interim Guidance on Infection Prevention and Control.

 

The programme contains an introductory overview of Infection Prevention and Control followed by 7 key topics (each module takes between 20 – 40 minutes) in line with the Interim Guidance:

-Introduction

-Basics of Infection Prevention and Control

-Standard and Transmission-based Precautions

-Hand Hygiene

-Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

-Respiratory and Cough Etiquette

-Aseptic Technique

-Antimicrobial Stewardship

 

How to access the course

You can access the course here on HSeLand then by following the AMRIC Resist logo on the HSeLanD homepage, by searching for ‘IPC’ in the search box or by visiting the Clinical Courses catalogue.  You will then be asked to register or sign in.

 

The courses can be used by any organisation and are accredited; they are a useful training tool and can be accessed at any time. Online training is an important part of supporting staff during the COVID-19 pandemic as face to face training is not required to complete the courses.

 

Learners are awarded 1 CEU from NMBI and 2 CPD credits from RCPI for each completed module in the AMRIC programme. Staff can dip in and out of the courses at any time.

 

If you have any queries in relation to the course you can contact the AMRIC team hcai.amrteam@hse.ie

 

Launching of two National Policies for Disability Services

Friday, 12th March 2021 (from 12-2pm)

You can register for the webinar here. Early booking is recommended as places are limited. Irish Sign Language/English Interpretation will be provided for the webinar.

 

-Food, Nutrition and Hydration Policy for Adults Accessing Disability Services, which is available here – submit questions to marianm.mcbride@hse.ie

 

-National Framework for Medicines Management in Disability Services, which is available here – submit questions to mariet.kehoe@hse.ie

 

Public Health Information

As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

 

Please check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19.

 

You can find the COVID-19 A-Z information here from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

 

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.

 

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

 

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

“TikTok Mic Drop” Road Safety competition: Create a Road Safety song to be in with a chance of winning €1,000!

Create a road safety song to be in with a chance of winning €1,000!

 

Monaghan County Council together with ten other County Councils across the North East, Midlands and North West of the country have joined forces with iRadio to launch their “TikTok Mic Drop” Road Safety competition with a total prize fund of over €5,000!

 

The competition is asking participants to create their own song or rap based on sharing the road safely.  Entrants should focus their message on the importance of sharing the road with other road users, be they cyclists, drivers, motorcyclists or pedestrians.

 

Adrian O’Sullivan, Road Safety Officer with Monaghan County Council, wants to see as many entries as possible from the county. “Despite there being less traffic on the road last year, unfortunately there was a rise in the number of pedestrians killed on Irish roads, up 19% since 2019. The number of cyclist and motorcyclist fatalities, also increased by 25% and 6% respectively. This campaign wants to change this trend.”

 

There are four individual prizes the best entries and two prizes for the best entries submitted by a school, sports team, club, or community group. (All group entries must adhere to Covid19 guidelines at the time of recording).

 

Adrian added “The ‘TikTok Mic Drop’ video competition is a great opportunity to engage all age groups from primary and secondary school pupils, college students and all members of our society who use TikTok and with an interest in promoting the important road safety message in County Monaghan”.

 

iRadio CEO Mark Cunning said “We’re delighted to be involved with Monaghan County Council together with the other County Councils in our region who are participating. Over the years we’ve had to air far too many stories on iRadio about the loss of young lives on our roads.  Our aim is to educate though entertainment and interaction, I’m really looking forward to seeing you, the user, generate content from this initiative.’

 

Entries to this competition are via TikTok.  Videos should be shared on the entrants own platform and tag/mention @Thisisiradio and #Monaghan. Full details are available at iradio.ie/micdrop. Entries can be submitted from Monday 8th March and the closing date is Wednesday 24th March.

 

Dynamic Purchasing System For Management And Control Of Invasive Plant Species

 

Córas Dinimiciúil Ceannaigh Do Bhainistiú Agus Smachtú Speicis Plandaí Ionracha

 

Tá an t-Ionad Oibríochtaí Soláthar Rialtais Áitiúil (IOSRA) tar éis Córas Dinimiciúil Ceannaigh a fhoilsiú d’Eagrais Seirbhíse Poiblí atá ag iarraidh Soláthraithe/Conrathóirí Seirbhíse (Oibritheoirí Eacnaimíocha) a fháil ar mhaithe bainistiú agus smachtú a dhéanamh ar Speicis Plandaí Ionracha.

Nuair a bheidh sé seo bunaithe, reachtálfaidh Eagrais Seirbhíse Poiblí (údaráis áitiúla san áireamh) comórtais idir na conraitheoirí ina gceantar áirithe atá laistigh den Chóras Dinimiciúl Ceannaigh.

Chun teacht ar na cáipéisí bainteach leis an gCóras Dinimiciúil Ceannaigh, déan cinnte go bhfuil tú tar éis clárú ar shuíomh gréasáin an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais ag www.etenders.gov.ie

Is gá gach iarratas a líonadh amach go leictreonach ar www.etenders.gov.ie

Más mian leat a thuilleadh eolais a fháíl faoin gCóras Dinimiciúil Ceannaigh seo, déan teagmháil le deasc chabhrach IOSRA ag 076 106 4020 nó trí ríomhphost chuig eproc@kerrycoco.ie

Ainm an Chomórtais Am agus Dáta Foilsithe Am agus Dáta Dúnta d’Iarratais CDC Bunaithe agus CDC ag Athoscailt d’Iarratais Suíomh Gréasáin a Fhoilsithe
 Córas Dinimiciúil Ceannaigh do bhainistiú agus smachtú a dhéanamh ar Speicis Plandaí Ionracha

 

1ú Márta 2021 15:00

 

6ú Aibreán 2021

Q2, 2021 www.etenders.gov.ie

 

ID ar an gcóras 185410

 

 Dynamic Purchasing System For Management And Control Of Invasive Plant Species

 

The Local Government Operational Procurement Centre (LGOPC) has published a Dynamic Purchasing System for Public Service Bodies to procure Service Providers/Contractors (Economic Operators) for the Management and Control of Invasive Plant Species.

When established, Public Service Bodies (including local authorities) will run competitions with the Economic Operators admitted to the Dynamic Purchasing System in their area.

To access the Dynamic Purchasing System documentation, please ensure you register on the Office of Government Procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie.

All Applications must be completed electronically on www.etenders.gov.ie.

Should you wish to learn more about this Dynamic Purchasing System, please contact the LGOPC Helpdesk at 076 106 4020 or by email at eproc@kerrycoco.ie.

Competition Name Publishing

Date

Initial Application Closing

Time & Date

DPS Established & DPS Reopening for Applications Publishing Website
 Dynamic Purchasing System for Management and Control of Invasive Plant Species

 

1st March 2021 15:00 Hrs

 

6th April 2021

Q2, 2021 www.etenders.gov.ie

 

System ID 185410