News

Friday, 2 December 2022 – Safeguarding the water supply in Monaghan is a vital focus for Irish Water with further works planned in Ballybay as part of its programme to drive down leakage and reduce the number of bursts and unplanned outages impacting the community.

Irish Water, in partnership with Monaghan County Council, is replacing 525 metres of ageing water mains together with backyard service connections along O’Duffy Terrace to provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality and reduce the amount of treated drinking water lost to leakage.

The works, which are due to begin this week, are a critical step in conserving our precious resource and reducing high levels of leakage which have been a significant source of disruption and outages for customers.

Backyard services are found in older areas, often installed to the rear of a customer’s property and typically made of cast iron or lead. Due to the age and deteriorating condition of the pipework, they are often a significant source of leakage and supply disruption for customers. Backyard services are usually shared, running through a number of neighbouring properties making it difficult to detect and repair leaks. Where properties share a connection, leaks and bursts affect all connected properties, resulting in low pressure and/or outages.

Irish Water would like to thank all customers in O’Duffy Terrace who have engaged with us and assisted us in the provision of our backyard services programme which will not only result in significant water savings but will also reduce the number of bursts and outages impacting customers. These projects are only successful if all customers on a shared water connection support and facilitate these vital works so that the old and leaking mains can be decommissioned.

Speaking about the benefits of the project, Declan Cawley, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, said: “Old backyard service connections are a huge source of leakage and water quality and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption. Replacing these old water mains and service connections in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground. We would like to thank the residents in O’Duffy Terrace for facilitating these works and working with us to provide a more secure and reliable water supply for generations to come.”

These works will be carried out by Farrans Construction in partnership with Monaghan County Council on behalf of Irish Water and are due to be completed in March 2023.

The National Leakage Reduction Programme helps provide a more reliable water supply to Irish communities by reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality. Since 2018, its delivery represents an investment of over €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the Leakage Reduction Programme. Irish Water is also investing a further €250 million annually up to the end of 2030 directed at fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.

To find out more about Irish Water’s national programme of works to reduce leakage and improve Ireland’s water supply visit our Leakage Reduction Programme Page www.water.ie/projects-plans/national-projects/leakage-reduction-programme/.

                                             

Monaghan Women’s Assembly are delighted to announce a funding allocation of €22,000 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Funding was received for three projects that will take place in 2023/2024: to Raise Awareness of Monaghan Women’s Assembly, to provide workshops on developing women’s skills such as public speaking, marketing and promotion, and to host a webinar for women in the form of a community consultation that will inform an awareness of the issues being raised across the board by female members of our community.

Cllr Cathy Bennett, Chairperson of the MWA stated “MWA are delighted to receive this funding to carry out three major projects over the coming two years.  MWA is going from strength to strength since its inception in 2021 and our Steering Committee will be working hard to oversee the completion of these projects, whose main aim is to try and encourage women to enter local politics”.

Aside from these projects, the MWA are also working in conjunction with the Western Midlands Northern Regional Caucus (WoMeN’s Regional Caucus) to deliver three more projects: the organisation of a co-ordinated ‘Invert your Council’ debate to coincide with International Women’s Day 2023, to develop a legacy project WoMeN’s Caucus Booklet and to organise and fund delivery of training, support and development, to all members of the caucus, which will help them in their role as public representatives.

Cllr Bennett went on to say that the objectives of the MWA, which is to support, enable and encourage women to get involved in, and stay in local politics, to provide a platform for local women to raise and discuss issues that impact on their lives with the female Councillors of Monaghan County Council, and to ensure gender equality and diversification is embedded in the policy and practices of the Local Authority in the future. For any queries on the MWA, please email womensassembly@monaghancoco.ie, and follow us on FB.

Start date of consultation: 05/12/2022

End date of consultation:  02/01/2023

Monaghan County Council is intending to enter into a Data Sharing Agreement under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019.

The proposed agreement, a Data Sharing Agreement between Enterprise Ireland and all Local Authorities (including Monaghan County Council) will be available for public consultation at:

www.gov.ie/consultations/DSA/ for a period of 28 days from 30/11/2022 to 28/12/2022.

The public are invited to make submissions by email to consultations.dsa@per.gov.ie

Please include the full Data Sharing Agreement name “EILAS 018/211122 DSA for LEO Suite of Services Data” in the subject line of your email. Only submissions made to this email address will be accepted.

Once the public consultation period has expired submissions cannot be accepted.

Documents for reference are:

EILAS 018_211122 DSA for LEO Suite of Services Data

 

 

Irish Water is calling on companies of all sizes in County Monaghan to apply for its Water Stewardship Programme. It is Irish Water’s comprehensive training programme which helps organisations lower their water use, thereby reducing operating costs and protecting the environment.

More than 600 graduates from a variety of sectors including hospitality, education, manufacturing, transport, and more have now completed the programme to date as Irish Water welcomed 289 new water stewards at a recent ceremony at Trinity College Dublin.

The programme, the first of its kind globally, is an international best practice certification accredited by the European Water Stewardship Standard. The programme is endorsed by Ibec, Enterprise Ireland and Chambers Ireland, and supported by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Irish Water’s Water Stewardship Programme, delivered by Central Solutions and available for organisations in any sector, is fully funded by Irish Water and the Lean & Green Skillnet. Participants undertake two months of comprehensive virtual training to better understand how to conserve water in their organisation, including:

• Creating a water map to visualise how and where water is used;
• Reviewing their water monitoring strategy, and investigating how it may be updated/improved;
• Identifying short payback water efficiency and conservation projects, such as rainwater harvesting;
• Embedding governance processes to actively engage all stakeholders to conserve water;
• Developing a water charter as an holistic approach to reducing water in their organisation.

Irish Water also recently launched its Annual Certification Scheme, whereby organisations have the opportunity to be recognised on Irish Water’s Wall of Honour. Showcased on its website, https://www.water.ie/conservation/business/water-stewardship/,  the Wall of Honour recognises organisations that have made massive strides in their water conservation efforts.

Companies across the board have already made significant progress in reducing their water use through participating in Irish Water’s Water Stewardship Programme, resulting in monetary and environmental benefits. For example, Dublin City University reduced its water consumption by over 50,000m³ annually, resulting in a saving of more than €100,000 in water costs. ABP also halved its water consumption, meaning it reached water conservation targets two years ahead of schedule.

Welcoming the new graduates, Yvonne Harris, Irish Water’s Head of Customer Operations, said: “More than 600 water stewards in organisations large and small are driving water conservation across Ireland. Through our programme, more than 1,500 new water conservation projects have been put in place, resulting in significant cost savings and benefitting the environment. Our programme is internationally recognised and is the first of its kind globally, and we encourage all organisations to apply online and take part.”

Ken Stockil, CEO at Central Solutions added: “As delivery partner for Irish Water, Central Solutions ensures participants in the Water Stewardship Programme understand the skills to reducing water, energy and related inputs across the four key principles of water stewardship, namely quality, quantity, governance and catchment. We welcome the new graduates and encourage companies across the board to get involved in the programme. Water stewardship is a collective and holistic approach that can achieve substantial economic, environmental and societal benefits for all water users.”

Those interested in participating in Irish Water’s Water Stewardship Programme can apply on Irish Water’s dedicated webpage: https://www.water.ie/conservation/business/water-stewardship/water-stewardship-training-programme/

Do you have a house, apartment or holiday home that’s not in use at the moment? Please consider offering it for those fleeing war in Ukraine.

Monaghan County Council is appealing for offers of unoccupied properties to provide temporary homes for Ukrainian people and families.

The call is part of a new government initiative, led by local authorities.

A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available for properties used to house those arriving from Ukraine. This is an increased payment rate applying from December 1st 2022.

Under the new programme, Monaghan County Council will take offers of houses, apartments or holiday homes for temporary accommodation, liaise with owners to assess suitability, and arrange for their use by Ukrainian people and families.

Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which the property is located. Find out more

This is not a call for shared properties. If you have a shared property or room to offer, please contact the Irish Red Cross.

What’s involved?

Step 1

Offer your property at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority for your property.

Step 2

The local authority will contact you to confirm some details, discuss the process with you and answer any queries you may have.

Step 3

If you are happy to proceed, and your property is suitable, the local authority will arrange to assess the property. This is because properties must meet certain minimum standards and the assessment also helps to ensure the local authority can find the best match for the property.

Step 4

The local authority will let you know if the property meets the required standard.

If the property meets the required standards, the local authority will begin work to match the property to the most suitable Ukrainian person or family in need of accommodation.

If the property does not meet the required standards, the local authority will give you further information on what the issues were and how they might be addressed.

Step 5

When a suitable Ukrainian person or family has been identified and has agreed that they wish to take up the offer, the local authority will notify you and they will facilitate contact between you and the person or family.

The local authority will also provide you with a template licence agreement, which you can choose to adapt or sign with the beneficiary before they move in.

 

After move-in and during the stay

Throughout the arrangement, the local authority will maintain contact with you and with the Ukrainian person or family and offer support if necessary.

 

Full information is available at offerahome.ie or by contacting Monaghan County Council –

Direct Line 047 73753

Contact Email:

lcolton@monaghancoco.ie

bclerkin2@monaghancoco.ie

Monaghan County Council is now inviting applications under the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2023.

Overview

The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is on conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public.  It aims to enable conservation works to be carried out on heritage structures which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support. The scheme is designed to assist the owners and/or occupiers of structures/properties that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). It will be administered by Monaghan County Council’s Planning Section.

Project promoters are encouraged to incorporate a traditional skills training element in the project. Applications in respect of refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, and where a clear residential benefit is demonstrated, will be welcomed (subject to obtaining any necessary planning approvals).

The Historic Structures Fund 2023 will be structured as follows:

1. Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures. The maximum grant award will be 80% of eligible costs.
2. Stream 1, Historic Shopfronts sub-stream is aimed at incentivising the refurbishment and conservation of historic shopfronts and Irish-language shopfronts and will fund small capital works to their facades, windows, signage and other associated details. The maximum grant award will be 80% of eligible costs.
3. Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where:
4. a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or
5. a clear residential benefit has been demonstrated

(subject to obtaining any necessary planning approvals).

 

Successful applicants will be required to, at a minimum, match their funding award by 50% of eligible costs.  In exceptional circumstances a higher percentage may be sought, subject to a maximum of 80% of eligible costs. Grant may be phased over two years.

4. Vernacular Structures Stream – will offer funding of between €5,000 and €10,000 to support conservation repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected to safeguard the structure and keep it in use. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area or comprise ‘informal’ traditional buildings, which are a significant part of our intangible cultural heritage. The maximum grant award will be 80% of eligible costs.

Projects in Partnership – The Minister may designate part of the Fund for projects in partnership with State-funded organisations such as the Office of Public Works, the Irish Heritage Trust, Waterways Ireland, The Irish Landmark Trust and others, to care for historic structures and buildings in public ownership and improve recreational infrastructure and public access to these heritage assets. Funds will be determined on a case by case basis.

Monaghan County Council is now inviting applications under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2023.

Overview

The BHIS seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. The scheme is designed to assist the owners and/or occupiers of structures/properties that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).  It will be administered by Monaghan County Council’s Planning Section.

Eligibility

The categories of structures/properties eligible for funding under this scheme are:

• Protected Structures
• Proposed Protected Structures
• Structures/properties in Architectural Conservation Areas or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances are deemed by the Department to apply.

Funding available

The minimum funding award under this scheme will be €2,500, up to a maximum of €15,000.

Successful applicants will be required to, at a minimum, match their funding award. The overall allocation for County Monaghan in 2023 is €96,000.

The 2023 BHIS will also include ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to thatched structure to maximise the availability of financial assistance to such owners, helping them offset other costs.

 

How to apply

The BHIS 2023 Circular, application form and associated information are available to download at https://monaghan.ie/planning/built-heritage-investment-scheme/. Hard copies are also available at Planning Reception.

Completed applications using Form A and accompanied by a comprehensive method statement must be submitted to Angela Gallagher, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, No.1 Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, H18 X982 or emailed to builtheritage@monaghancoco.ie on or before the 31^st January 2023.

 

Signed: Cathal Flynn

Director of Service

Economic Development, Planning & Capital Projects

Monaghan County Council

Date: 24^th November 2022

Monaghan County Council is seeking expressions of interest from Landowners who are interested in selling property (land and / or vacant / derelict buildings) that could potentially be used by Monaghan County Council for the provision of serviced sites in the following areas:-

• Monaghan Town
• Carrickmacross
• Castleblayney
• Clones
• Ballybay
• Emyvale

Other areas where there is a need for serviced sites may be considered.

It is intended that the local authority purchase site(s) and make them available for development by providing services and access to the site(s) concerned.

These sites will be available at a discount on the market value of the site for the building of a property for occupation as the principal private residence of first time buyers.

If you have any Land available or that may become available shortly, please forward your expression of interest including: asking price, acreage of land, ownership, date available and location map to housingprocurement@monaghancoco.ie marked and addressed “Ready to Build Serviced Sites for New Homes”

Closing date for receipt of Expression of Interest is 4.00pm on Friday 16^th December 2022

John Murray
Head of Finance & Housing

 

Call for applications

The Community Monuments Fund was established by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2020 to provide investment in Ireland’s archaeological heritage. This funding is prioritised for Local Authorities, private owners and custodians and community groups for the care, conservation, maintenance, protection and promotion of archaeological monuments.

The fund: · enables conservation works to be carried out on monuments which are deemed to be significant and in need of urgent support; · builds resilience in our monuments to enable them to withstand the effects of climate change; · encourages access to monuments and improve their presentation.

Private applicants or community groups who are the owners/custodians of archaeological monuments should: 1. Complete Application Form CMF/A.  2. Attach a comprehensive Method Statement (outline of Conservation Plan) and any other required documentation 

Submit applications to Monaghan County Council heritage@monaghancoco.ie no later than 1 February 2023.

See www.monaghancoco.ie/heritage or https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd7d6-community-monuments-fund-2023-call-for-projects/ for more information on this scheme.

 

Protect your family from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu and winter viruses

 Colds, coughs and viral infections in children

 18^th November 2022: GPs and Hospitals across Ireland continue to see a rise in the numbers of young children affected by respiratory symptoms and viruses. Last week saw the highest number of cases of RSV the country has ever recorded in one week.

Dr Lois O’Connor, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Public Health Area A, has the following advice for families:

“Given the current concerning RSV numbers, we all have a particular part to play in protecting newborn and small babies who are most affected. The best way we can protect ourselves and our family members from RSV, common colds, and other winter viruses is to reduce the chance of infection and spread.”

Dr O’Connor advises that there are 7 key ways to help prevent the spread of viruses:

1. If you or your child are unwell with cold symptoms, do not attend places with young children and babies, such as child care facilities and school.
2. Parents of young babies do need to take extra care and be clear about shielding babies from coughs and colds. This may mean putting friends and family off from visiting for a while if someone is unwell, not encouraging people to touch your baby’s face, and asking people to wear a mask around your baby can also help.
3. Clean your hands and your child’s often – ask anyone in contact with your child to clean their hands first.
4. Encouraging respiratory hygiene around babies and links to babies. Respiratory hygiene is vital to prevent the spread of respiratory infections: – Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. – Use tissues and throw them away. – Wash your hands after touching your mouth or nose. It is important to teach your child how to do this if they are old enough.
5. Continue breastfeeding as this may prevent babies from getting a respiratory illnesses, including bronchiolitis caused by RSV. This is because babies get special proteins called antibodies from breastmilk. Antibodies can protect your child from infection.
6. Keep children away from smoking.
7. To protect your children and those around them from flu, I strongly encourage all parents of children aged 2 to 17 to get your children vaccinated against flu. The free Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine is available at your local GP or pharmacy. For more information about the children’s flu vaccines, visit: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/flu/childrens-flu-vaccine/.”

 

Dr O’Connor explains why we are seeing such a steep rise in respiratory infections this winter:

“We expect to see more children with respiratory virus infections this year when compared to last year because this year children are in more contact with one another and therefore the risk of spreading of winter respiratory viruses is increased. In addition, because children had limited contact with one another last year their exposure to all respiratory viruses and resultant immune response was reduced. As a result more children will have lower immunity to these viruses this year.”

“The good news is that most cases of respiratory virus infections are mild and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks without treatment. Antibiotics are not needed and will not help to treat a viral infection. There is lots of great advice on how to look after yourself and your family when you’re sick or have a high temperature on www.undertheweather.ie and www.mychild.ie. However, we advise parents to always contact their GP if they are worried, especially if a child’s symptoms get worse quickly or if the symptoms and fever persist despite the use of paracetamol and Ibuprofen”.

 

About RSV (Bronchiolitis)

RSV causes Bronchiolitis, which is a common chest infection in babies and young children. This virus spreads when someone coughs or sneezes and it mostly affects babies and young children under 2 years old, especially babies under 6 months old. Most cases are mild and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks without treatment. Antibiotics are not needed and will not help to treat it.

Main ways to assist babies with bronchiolitis:

1. Keep breastfeeding if you are breastfeeding
2. Don’t smoke around them
3. Feed little and often as able
4. Know signs and symptoms and when to present to GP/ED.

Sometimes, RSV can be more serious and children with bronchiolitis will need to be cared for in hospital. Parents are advised to trust their instinct, and to always contact their GP if they are worried, especially if the symptoms get worse quickly.

More information and advice can be found at: www.hse.ie/conditions/bronchiolitis.