News

Monaghan County Council are pleased to announce 2 strands of funding to support festivals and events which will attract visitors to Co. Monaghan in 2024.

Deadline for receipt of application is Thursday 4^th April 2024

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Theatre Forum is delighted to be working with Monaghan County Council Arts Service to offer two bursaries for arts practitioners based in the Monaghan area to attend the Theatre Forum Gathering in Sligo on 28 and 29 May 2024. These Bursaries are exclusively devised for those who have previous experience in working or being engaged as a theatre and or arts practitioner.

Each Artist Bursary will cover:
Ticket to Theatre Forum Sligo Gathering includes all day sessions, two lunches, dinner, coffee breaks and the artistic programme
Artist Honorarium of €150
Accommodation and Travel Contribution of €150 (To be arranged by the artist – see www.theatreforum.ie for details of accommodation deals)

Applicants must be living in the Monaghan area.

Deadline to apply: Friday 19 April 2024**

 

Monaghan County Council Artist Bursaries – Theatre Forum Sligo Gathering (google.com)

Learn more about What’s On Where in Monaghan in March/April 2024 below:

WOW March 24

Put together by CYPSC

-The significantly upgraded Monaghan Way is among new walks added to the National Walks Scheme✨

The new-and-improved Monaghan Way running from Inniskeen to Castleblayney includes three new looped walking trails ranging from 4.9km to 10km in length 🤗 Crank up the Poetry Jukebox by the River Fane in Inniskeen, bask in beautiful farmland along quiet country roads and soak up breath-taking views of Lough Muckno.

Read more here ➡️ https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e0468-our-rural-future-minister-humphreys-adds-62-new-trails-to-the-national-walks-scheme/

Brochure (PDF): MW Brochure FINAL

#MyMonaghan #moretomonaghan

Monaghan County Council  would like to remind all landowners and occupiers that Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended by Section 46 of the 2000 Amendment Act, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.

There is provision in the legislation for some restricted exemptions from the prohibition during the closed period – e.g. for works undertaken in the ordinary course of agriculture or forestry, for public health and safety reasons, including road safety, the destruction of noxious weeds, for the clearance of vegetation in the course of road and other development works or the development of sites for building works.

 Gareth McMahon

A/Director of Service

Roads and Transportation

29^th February 2024

 

Monaghan County Council  would like to remind all landowners that cutting,grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation is prohibited from 1 March to 31 August

The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) was introduced in the Finance Act 2021.  The objective of the tax is to activate land that is serviced and zoned for residential use or mixed use which includes residential use, in order to increase housing supply and to ensure regeneration of vacant and idle lands in urban locations.

Monaghan County Council has prepared an Annual Draft Map of the land considered to be in scope for the RZLT as of 1st January 2024.  The Annual Draft Map is currently on public display and explanatory information is available to view online at www.monaghan.ie/planning/rzlt/

Monaghan County Council are running a series of Public Information Evenings at the following locations specified:

DATE	VENUE	TIME
Monday 4th March 2024	The Courthouse McCurtain Street Clones Co. Monaghan H23 N290	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Tuesday 5th March 2024	The Planning Office,       1 Dublin Street, Monaghan H18 X982	6.30pm – 8.30pm
Wednesday 6th March 2024	Council Chamber, Municipal District of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Offices, Civic Offices, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross, A81 RY22	6.30pm – 8.30pm

 

We welcome any interested individuals or parties to attend to discuss any queries in relation to the Annual Draft Map, the proposed Residential Zoned Land Tax generally or to seek advice on how to make a submission.

 

Display of Annual Draft Map

In addition to being available to view on our website, the Annual Draft Map is also available on public display at the following locations and times specified:-

• Planning Offices– 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan H18 X982 (Monday to Friday 9.15am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm)
• County Offices– The Glen, Monaghan, H18 YT50 (Monday to Friday 9.15am-1pm and 1.30pm-5.15pm)
• Municipal District of Ballybay-Clones Offices– Market House, The Diamond, Clones H23 X378 (Monday to Friday 9.15am-5.15pm)
• Municipal District of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Offices– Civic Offices, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross A81 RY22 (Monday to Friday 9.15am-5pm)

Any interested individuals or parties may make submissions in respect of land on the Annual Draft Map as set out below.

 

In accordance with the amending provisions of the Finance Act (No.2) 2023, those lands zoned as Strategic Residential Reserve are no longer in scope for RZLT. In addition, having regard to appeal decisions made by An Bord Pleanála, lands located within Tier 4 settlements are no longer in scope for RZLT.

 

Please note that RZLT does not apply to residential properties if they are subject to Local Property Tax (LPT). These residential properties are indicated on the map in accordance with the requirements set out by Section 653B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended by the Finance Act 2021) and the Residential Zoned Land Tax – Guidelines for Planning Authorities June 2022, however it is not necessary to make a submission to remove them from the RZLT map.

 

Making a Submission

Submissions on the Annual Draft Map may be made by the public from 1^st February 2024 until 1^st April 2024.  These submissions can be made:

1. In writing to Monaghan County Council, Planning Office, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan H18 X982, or
2. By email to rzlt@monaghancoco.ie, or
3. Via the online submission form at www.monaghan.ie/planning/rzlt/

 

Submissions can be made by 1 April to:

• Identify additional land which may fall into scope, but which is not included in the annual draft map;
• Challenge the inclusion of land on the map if the owner considers that the land does not meet the criteria which determine the land in scope;
• Challenge the date from which the land is considered to be in scope;
• and/or Support the proposed exclusion of land.

 

Submissions can be made by 31 May 2024 to request a change of zoning of land identified on the annual draft map for 2025.

Any submission must clearly identify the site and outline what change (i.e. inclusion/exclusion of land on a local authority map, or the date on which the site first met the criteria for inclusion on the map) to the Residential Zoned Land Tax mapping you are seeking, as well as provide a justification for the change sought.

 

The submission must state the criteria  set out in Section 653B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended by the Finance Act 2021) on which is being relied upon in the submission for the land being in or out of scope. The local authority may also request additional information after the receipt of the submission (e.g. proof of ownership or further information).

 

Further details on making a valid submission and how lands have been identified in scope for the tax are set out at www.monaghan.ie/planning/rzlt/

 

Valid submissions must be submitted to the Planning Section of Monaghan County Council.

If submitting a paper copy this must be received by t

 

As part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257m for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Monaghan County Council, funded through Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), will manage the rollout of the grant to qualifying businesses.

Eligible businesses will receive a once-off grant payment. The amount of the grant payable to eligible businesses is based on the value of the Commercial Rates bill the business received in 2023. However, it is not a Commercial Rates waiver and businesses should continue to pay their Commercial Rates bill as normal.

What is the purpose of the grant?

The grant is available to qualifying businesses as a contribution towards the rising costs faced by businesses. The grant is intended to aid businesses but is not intended to directly compensate for all increases in wages, or other costs, for every business.

How much is the grant?

The grant is based on the value of the Commercial Rates bill received by an eligible business in 2023.

– For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of <€10,000, the ICOB grant will be paid at a rate of 50% of the business’s Commercial Rate bill for 2023.

– For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of between €10,000 and €30,000, the ICOB grant will be €5,000.

– Businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rates bill greater than €30,000 are not eligible to receive an ICOB grant.

What businesses are eligible to receive the grant?

The following are the main qualifying criteria:

• Your business must be a commercially trading business currently operating from a property that is commercially rateable.
• Your business must have been trading on 1^st February 2024 and you must intend to continue trading for at least three months from the date you verify your information.
• You must provide confirmation of your bank details.
• Your business must be rates compliant. Businesses in performing payment plans may be deemed to be compliant.
• Your business must be tax compliant and must possess a valid Tax Registration Number (TRN).

Please note that Monaghan County Council reserves the right to claw back any grant payment which is later found to be incorrect. This includes any circumstances such as error by the recipient business or the local authority making the payment, or where a business makes a false declaration of eligibility.

How soon can businesses avail of the grant?

An online system is being developed to manage the submission of essential information. Monaghan County Council will write shortly to businesses with further details, including how to register and how to submit information online. The system is expected to be available in mid-March.

What is the closing date?

The closing date for businesses to confirm eligibility and to upload verification details will be 1^st May 2024.

Where can I find out further information?

Further correspondence and guidance will be issued to commercially rateable businesses in the next few weeks. In addition, an FAQ will be available online when the grant scheme opens. You should refer to this guidance and FAQ prior to making your submission.

If you have queries regarding your Commercial Rates account including outstanding balances, contact Monaghan County Council at 047 73739 or email icob@monaghancoco.ie. Our team are happy to discuss any balances outstanding on your rates and what steps can be taken to ensure compliance with the scheme.

 

At the February Ballybay/Clones Municipal District Meeting Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Gilliland presented the Thomas Treanor 1916 Award to Largy College student Emily Butler as the highest achiever in Junior Certificate History in 2023.

Thomas Treanor was a native of Mill St., Monaghan who also lived at Swans Cross . He resigned as assistant County Surveyor for the Clones No.1 Rural District Council and Cootehill No.2 R.D.C. to take up a more senior position in Co. Wexford in 1912.

He was influential in setting up the Irish Volunteers in Wexford.

Thomas Treanor was one of over two hundred volunteers to participate in the Enniscorthy Rising.

Thomas Treanor was interned after the Rising. He was active in the War of Independence 1919-21 and was again arrested and interned. He retired from his position of asst. County Surveyor in 1950 and died in Gorey, Co. Wexford in 1963.

In view with his association with Clones Rural District Council and as part of the 1916 commemorations it was agreed that an annual award titled “The Thomas Treanor, 1916 Award” would be presented to the highest history achiever for Junior certificate in Largy College each year.

(main photo L-R Cllr. Pat Treanor, Cllr. Hugh McElvaney, Emma Smith (History Teacher Largy College), Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Gilliland, Emily Butler (Student Largy College), Cllr. Richard Truell, Larry & Stephanie Butler)

This year we have a sensory friendly space located at the Market House, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. We hope that this will help to ensure that all families will be able to enjoy the festivities.

It is envisioned that the sensory friendly space will act as a calm area for those with additional needs who may feel overwhelmed by the noise and/or crowd during this year’s parade.

It is important to note that any potential room user must be supervised by their own parent/guardian/carer.

The room can facilitate a maximum of 4 users at any one time and will be open from

2:30pm to 4:30pm.

The town of Carrickmacross expects a large attendance at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade which takes place on Sunday, 17^th March at 3pm.

The day kicks off at 11:00am with the raising of the flag at the Courthouse, Carrickmacross which will be accompanied by music from the Stedfast Shoes Brass Band – all are welcome to attend. Carrickmacross Comhaltas Branch are performing live traditional music from the viewing stage on Main Street at 2:30pm which is sure to warm up the crowd!

The Parade will take its usual route, commencing at the junction of the Donaghmoyne and Dundalk Roads, up through Farney Street, down Main Street and finishing at the bottom of the town at the Courthouse. Parade participants are asked to assemble on the Dundalk Road from 2:30pm.

The Carrickmacross St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the best Parade’s around with many colourful floats and fantastic marching bands.  There are prizes awarded to the winners and runners-up of the “Best Float” and the “Best Band” on the day, and this year it could be you! Prizes have been kindly sponsored by ERA Tobin Estate Agents, AOK Driving School, Connolly Blinds and McVeigh’s Hardware.

There will be plenty of entertainment on the day for the whole family including Hudson’s Funfair which will be in the Drummond Etra Carpark. Look out for the stalls on Main Street selling hot and cold food, soft drinks and treats for all the family.

We have asked local businesses to dress their windows using the theme “Clean and Green – Keep green and keep our planet clean”. We look forward to seeing the results and thanks to Monaghan County Council Environment Section for their sponsorship. Entries will be displayed on www.carrickmacross.ie from 12^th March onwards – don’t forget to vote for your favourite!

This year we have a sensory friendly space located at The Market House, Carrickmacross. We hope that this will help to ensure that all families will be able to enjoy the festivities. It is envisioned that the sensory friendly space will act as a calm area for those with additional needs who may feel overwhelmed by the noise and/or crowd during the parade. It is important to note that any potential room user must be supervised by their own parent/guardian/carer. The room can facilitate a maximum of 4 users at any one time and will be open from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

We are still taking names of any organisations, businesses, bands etc. who want to join in with this year’s fun, so if you’re interested, don’t delay in getting your name in!!  If you wish to take part, please contact the Carrickmacross – Castleblayney Municipal District on 042 9661236 or alternatively email us on carrickmacross@monaghancoco.ie as soon as possible.