Monaghan LCDC Progresses to Next Stage in Bid to Run 2023-27 LEADER Programme

Monaghan Local Community Development Committee recently received notification from the Department of Rural & Community Development that its application to run the 2023-27 LEADER Programme in the county has passed the first screening stage, and that it has now been awarded funding to prepare a detailed Local Development Strategy, which will outline the basis for how the LCDC plans to roll out the LEADER programme over the five-year programme period.

Two organisations have been progressed to this stage in Co. Monaghan, but ultimately only one will be selected to deliver the LEADER programme.

Monaghan LCDC has successfully overseen the current LEADER programme since 2016.  Monaghan LCDC is extremely well placed to deliver the LEADER Programme as it brings together all stakeholders in local development.

€6 million will be available to Co. Monaghan under the new LEADER Programme, which will target the three priority areas of:

  • Economic Development & Job Creation
  • Rural Infrastructure & Social Isolation and
  • Sustainable Development of Rural Environment & Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation

The LCDC is currently awaiting guidance documents from the Department which will set out the manner in which the Local Development Strategy shall be developed.   Widespread consultation will be undertaken throughout Co. Monaghan over the coming weeks to gather the views of those who may wish to make an application to the LEADER programme over the next few years.

Monaghan LCDC are also keen to engage with individuals and communities who have experience of applying to the current LEADER programme, to get feedback on the application process and to get suggestions for how it might be improved.

Further information on the consultation process will be widely publicised through the PPN, Social Media and the local newspaper.

If you wish to get involved in the consultation, you can do so by contacting Monaghan LCDC by emailing: LCDC@monaghancoco.ie or by phoning Olga Connolly on 047 73719 and asking for details of the consultation events to be sent to you when available.

More information – Olga Connolly 047 73719  oconnolly@monaghancoco.ie 

 

Monaghan PEACEPLUS Partnership seeks your views on a Local Community Peace Action Plan

Monaghan County Council has established a PEACEPLUS Partnership to oversee the effective development and implementation of a Local Community Peace Action Plan. The Partnership, formed in June 2022, is representative of communities across the county and includes Elected Members, Statutory representatives and Social Partners.

Working with a dedicated budget of €4.5 million under Investment Area 1.1 ‘Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities’, the Partnership is guiding the co-design process to identify local key priority projects that will promote peace and prosperity across the county.

To date, a number of consultation events have taken place across the county. The events, both in person and online were very successful in terms of the level of engagement with members from the Community/Voluntary Sector and the local priorities identified.

It is important that representation is achieved from all community backgrounds and everyone is encouraged to take part in the consultation process as the plan must focus on the needs and priorities of our communities and aim to overcome local challenges and barriers.

The consultation process is ongoing and there is still time to get involved and share your views on the development of a PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan for the county through an online survey.

The online survey is available here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MonaghanPeaceActionPlan

The survey will remain open until 5.00pm on 28 February 2023.

It is anticipated that a plan will be developed and submitted to the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) by Summer 2023 for review and approval with delivery commencing January 2024.

For further information on the consultation process and/or the PEACEPLUS programme please contact the PEACEPLUS Team by email npayne@monaghancoco.ie or by telephone at 047 30500.

PEACEPLUS – Public Consultation Events

               

Public Consultation Events

 Monaghan County Council wish to invite you to attend a public consultation event to hear your views on the development of a new Monaghan LCDC PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan.

The Plan will be based on community needs and will seek to overcome challenges/barriers across a wide range of areas that will promote peace and prosperity across the district

Date Time Venue
Wednesday 1st February 2023

 

10am – 12am Peace Link, Clones
Wednesday 1st February 2023 2.30pm – 4.30pm Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney
Thursday 2nd February 2023 2pm – 4pm St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Monaghan
Thursday 2nd February 2023 7pm – 8.30pm Online event

 

Get involved by attending one of the following events:

There is no requirement to register your interest to attend an in-person event.

To attend the online event or if you require any further information on the consultation process, please contact Nicola Payne by telephone on 047 30500 or by email at npayne@monaghancoco.ie

 

 

Incorporated Community Groups and Charities Urged to Apply to Pobal for Energy Costs Relief Before December 2nd Deadline

PRESS RELEASE – 23/11/2022
A Second Funding Scheme, To Be Launched Shortly By LCDC, Will Be Able To Support Other Types Of Community Organisations With Their Running Costs.
Chairman of Monaghan Local Economic & Community Development Committee, Alan Johnston, today moved to encourage local community groups to avail of one of the two
funding packages put in place by Minister Heather Humphreys’ Department of Rural & Community Affairs to help the community and sector cope with the rising cost of energy this winter.

He was speaking to welcome the announcement by Minister Humphreys last week of an allocation of €277,255 to Co. Monaghan under a new Community Support Scheme, which will provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups to carry
out small upgrade works, purchase equipment to support their activities and assist with their running costs, which can include energy costs. The Community Support Scheme will be rolled out through the LCDC, which is currently preparing the application form and guidelines, and expects to open the scheme to applications within the next fortnight.

In the meantime, Mr Johnston is anxious to point out that a separate scheme has been put in place by the Department to assist larger community groups with their energy costs, and that due to this, these groups will not be able to seek help with energy costs from the
LCDC-run scheme.

It is therefore vital, says Mr Johnston, for all incorporated community groups (eg CLG’s and co-operatives) and registered charities to visit the Pobal website and apply for their energy
costs through the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS). This scheme is now open, and will close on the 2nd of December. These larger groups will still be welcome to apply to the LCDC’s Community Support
Scheme for other costs, upgrade works etc, but will not be able to claim energy costs through this Scheme.

While the LCDC is still awaiting guidance from the Dept of Rural & Community Development on eligibility criteria for projects under the new Community Support Scheme, it is known that the Scheme is specifically designed by the Department to support a wider
range of groups than any previous scheme. Funding will be available to support Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and much more.

The new scheme has been devised to support groups with their energy costs who may not have been deemed eligible under previous Government schemes.

These include groups that operate from parish halls and who need support with running costs such as energy or insurance bills.
Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works on buildings, and to purchase equipment such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, training equipment, etc.

When available, full Guidelines and application forms will be posted to the Community Grants section of Monaghan County Council’s website, www.monaghan.ie. Monaghan Public Participation Network will circulate a notice to all their member groups as soon as the details of the Scheme are announced. If you are not already a member of the PPN, you can sign up to receive updates from them on their website www.ppnmonaghan.ie or by liking their Facebook page.

Healthy Monaghan Public Consultation Survey for Healthy Ireland Round 4 planning 2023-2025

The Vision of a Healthy Monaghan is where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society and is everyone’s responsibility.

Healthy Monaghan request the input of individuals, agencies, groups and organisations to help identify the health risks, health priorities and associated target groups across County Monaghan. The output of this survey will be used to support our planning for health and wellbeing activities across the County for the next three years.

The survey is composed of multiple-choice questions with the option to provide further detail in some places, however it is not required to provide further detail if you do not want to. Please note that if you would like to have your own view and that of your organisation(s) represented you will need to complete a separate survey for each perspective you wish to have represented.

If you feel there is further information that would help us, please include these comments at the end of the survey (Question 8).

The survey takes no more than 5 minutes to complete. We appreciate you taking the time and for your interest in the health and wellbeing of the population of County Monaghan.

Link to Survey

This is an anonymous survey so please do not provide any personal data in the answers to your questions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communication Boards at Rossmore Park Playground

Monaghan County Council have installed Communication Boards at  two locations at Rossmore Park Playground in Monaghan.

The Park is located only two miles southwest of Monaghan Town and covers a large area of approximately six by three miles. Facilities include a spacious car park, toilets, picnic tables, on site coffee shop and a maps of the entire park and its trails. The playground and a Giant Sculpture Trail are also stand out attractions. Admission to the park is free.

Playgrounds are important to aid children’s physical and mental health. The Communication Boards will aid communication, increase socialisation and provide learning for all users of the facility.

To have the ability to communicate is a necessity for everyone and to be understood is essential. Monaghan County Council understands that for someone who communicates using alternatives to speech that supports are useful to enable communication with everyone.

The Council has installed communication boards at Rossmore Park Playground, in association with InterAcT (Accomplish & Thrive), Trinity College Dublin and Inclusion Ireland, and supported by Safe Care Technologies and the HSE.

The Council also wishes to acknowledge the cooperation received from Coillte for the installation of the boards at their Rossmore Park site.

Communication Boards are primarily a communications support, with particular benefit to children or adults who may not communicate using speech.

The Communication Boards, which include picture representations of day to day core words, as well as images that are specifically tailored for its environment and the location for which it is proposed, help bridge this communication gap for everyone.

The Communication Boards represent and offer a unique opportunity for the community to communicate and connect with each other in a new way.

Please find two helpful documents below for download –

  1. “Tips for Communication Boards” – How to use Communication Board Inclusion Ireland InterAcT
  2.  Communication Board Rossmore Park Playground Board

The copy of the board can be printed so that someone who uses alternative communication can become familiar with the signs before visiting the playground.

Monaghan County Council believes that the provision of the Communication Boards will make Rossmore Park a more inclusive destination and a more enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Monaghan County Council welcomes feedback on the Communication Boards. Please email your feedback to Barry Eaton at  Beaton@Monaghancoco.ie

 

 

Explore the Traditions Associated with Brigid – Monaghan County Council & Age Friendly Ireland

Time to explore some of the traditions associated with Brigid.

Age & Opportunity and Age Friendly Ireland are inviting Older People to take part in a series of inter-county events at the end of September, finishing off the event with a pageant to commemorate Samhain.

We will explore the traditions associated with Brigid through poetry, craft –making, myth and ceremony.

We will be exploring Celtic wisdoms, stories, poems and folklore while linking natural world learnings to the elements of fire, earth, air and water plus heritage sites.

We will be filming the final ceremony so that we can broadcast it on Brigid’s Day in 2023.

No expertise needed, come and have fun with artist Marie Brett, joint workshops for Cavan/ Monaghan will take place in:

  • Errigal Hotel, Cootehill, Co. Cavan- September 27th (Participants from Cavan and Monaghan).

 

For further information or registration please contact:

Barry Eaton, Age Friendly Programme Manager (Monaghan), Beaton@monaghancoco.ie

Community Development Fund 2022

This fund is now closed.

Monaghan County Council is committed to promoting and enhancing community development and increasing social inclusion activity throughout the county. This commitment is supported by the annual Community Development Fund which invites applications from community and voluntary groups and organisations within County Monaghan.  We are now inviting applications for the 2022 funding scheme.

Funding is available under the two measures outlined below:

  • Measure 1: Community Infrastructure Supports
  • Measure 2: Community Development Supports

Application forms and details of the scheme can be found at the links below.

Enquiries can be made by email to cdf22@monaghancoco.ie or by calling the Community Development Section on 047 73750.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 4pm on Thursday 25th August 2022. Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

PDF Version Click Links Below

Advertisement Community Development Fund Scheme 2022

Monaghan Community Development Fund Scheme 2022

MS Word Version Click Links Below

Advertisement Community Development Fund Scheme 2022

Community Development Fund 2022

 

Monaghan Older People’s Council is looking for new members!

Are you interested in joining Monaghan’s Older People’s Council?

Monaghan Older People’s Council is looking for new members and is inviting all Monaghan residents aged 55 and upwards to join.

The Council provides a platform for older people to take a more active role in their communities and to have their voices heard on relevant issues both within Monaghan and nationally.

Quarterly meetings of the Council take place and issues raised are followed up with various stakeholders in the Age Friendly Alliance including Monaghan County Council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána, transport providers and local voluntary organisations.

Membership of the Monaghan Older People’s Council is inclusive and is open to all Monaghan residents aged 55 and upwards, to reflect the views of all older people throughout the county. Everybody will be made to feel welcome!

 

What is Monaghan Older People’s Council?

  • Monaghan Older Peoples Council is  a voluntary community group made up of individuals and representatives of older people’s groups in Co. Monaghan. It aims to improve the quality of life for older people in Monaghan.

 

  • Monaghan Older People’s Council will aim to ensure the voice of older people is represented at the relevant structures in Co. Monaghan.

 

  • Monaghan Older People’s Council will aim to raise issues of concern for older people in the county with local and national decision makers.

 

  • Monaghan Older People’s Council will provide regular updates by email which will include news, events of interest and information about relevant services available.

 

  • Members of Monaghan Older People’s Council sit on the Age Friendly Alliance along with decision makers of statutory agencies and local service providers. Members also sit on the National Network of Older Peoples Councils.

 

Contact Details

If you are interested in joining or would like more information about Monaghan’s Older People’s Council please contact Barry Eaton, Monaghan Age Friendly Programme Manager, by emailing Beaton@monaghancoco.ie or by phoning 086 3134557.