Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces over €27 million to combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages

Media release Wednesday, 14th December 2022   Largest ever investment under Town and Village Renewal Scheme Former Banks, Ballrooms, Courthouses, Convents, Cinemas, Garda Stations and FCA Halls to be regenerated for community use Public Plazas, Town Parks, Playgrounds, Community Gardens and Dog Parks to be developed Local Shops and Businesses in 26 towns to have their shopfronts and building facades enhanced under Streetscapes Enhancement Initiative   The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (14th December…

Galway County PPN makes Litter Management Plan Submission

on December 5th 2022 Galway County PPN submitted its Submission on the Galway County Litter Management Plan 2023-2025 following an information event and consultation process with the PPN members. You can read the submission here: Galway County PPN SUBMISSION on Litter Management Plan Section 10 of the Litter pollution Acts 1997 requires that a Local Authority must prepare and adopt a Litter Management Plan in respect of its functional area. As this is a litter management plan for all sections…

Minister Humphreys and Tánaiste announce over €33 million to upgrade 278 Community Centres nationwide

Media Release Thursday 8th December 2022   Largest ever capital investment in Community Centres   Grants of up to €300,000 provided   Extensions to Existing Centres, Energy Efficiency Upgrades and Improved Access for People with Disabilities amongst works supported   Community Centres, Parish Halls, Scouts Clubs, Youth Hubs, Family Resource Centres & Sports Complexes across country set to benefit   The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, along with the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD, have today announced…

Galway County PPN visits Municipal District meetings

  Galway County PPN have begun a series of presentations at Municipal District meetings across the County to address stakeholders, such as County Councillors, of the added value of the PPN in the democratic process of participative representation.   Here PPN Coordinator, Charlotte May and PPN Secretariat Member, Vincent Lyons stand in front of the Ballinasloe Municipal District Office holding an info booklet after their presentation to Councillors on 12 October 2022.   The Galway County PPN was formally established…

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys launches Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors

PRESS RELEASE: 28 November 2022   Ireland’s first ever National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Over 2.7m visitors take part in outdoor activities Strategy will deliver major economic and health benefits €14 million announced to develop adventure tourism projects Focus on Hiking, Cycling, Wild Swimming, Kayaking & more National Walks Scheme to be expanded to 150 trails Minister says: “I want to make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor adventures!”   The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys,…

Ministers Humphreys and Joe O’Brien announce €10 million Fund to support parish halls and community centres with energy bills

PRESS RELEASE! 18 Nov 2022 New Community Support Fund to assist thousands of community groups across the country   Support available for Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and more   Small grants to help groups with running costs and rising energy bills   Applications from groups supporting rural pursuits and activities welcome   Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe…

Minister Joe O’Brien announces over €44 million for the Government’s Social Inclusion Programme

Media Release 16th November 2022 Minister Joe O’Brien announces over €44 million for the Government’s Social Inclusion Programme An increase of €1.3 million (3%) for SICAP in 2023 All areas across the country to benefit   Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, T.D., has today, (Wednesday, 16th November 2022) announced over €44 million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activity Programme (SICAP) in 2023. This funding has been allocated as part of Budget 2023. SICAP supports communities and…

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €115million for 23 Landmark Rural Regeneration Projects nationwide

  Media Release,  Thursday, 10 November 2022     Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €115million for 23 Landmark Rural Regeneration Projects nationwide   Focus on combatting vacancy & dereliction by regenerating iconic town centre buildings   Successful projects will see old Courthouses, Creameries, Hotels, Churches, Banks and Schools converted and given new 21st century purpose   Development of Town Parks, Pedestrian Areas & Outdoor Dining Zones to breathe new life & vibrancy into rural town centres   The Minister…

New Fines Introduced for the Misuse of Disabled Parking Permit

Minister Naughton Announces fines for 16 road safety offences to double from October 27 2022 ANTI-SPEEDING 26.10.2022 Fine for speeding to double to €160. Fines for non-wearing of seatbelts and mobile phone use to double to €120 Fines for Learner drivers found driving unaccompanied to double to €160. Fines for non-display of ‘L’ and ‘N’ plates to double to €120 Three new Fixed Charge Offences will be introduced in new year Tackling speeding the theme of Road Safety Authority Annual Conference Minister…

Minister Joe O’Brien officially launches Values and Principles for collaboration and partnership working with Community and Voluntary Sector

Values and Principles co-developed with the sector Foundation for engagement between the state and community and voluntary organisations   Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, has today, (Wednesday October 19th), officially launched an agreed set of Values and Principles for collaboration and partnership with the Community and Voluntary Sector.   The launch took place at Outhouse Resource Centre, Capel St in Dublin, a community and voluntary organisation supporting the LGBT+ Community, their friends, families and allies.  …

Galway County PPN Plenary

On Tuesday 27th September 2022 Galway County PPN held its first in-person Plenary event since the Covid Pandemic. The members of the Galway County PPN were asked to attend the meeting in the Claregalway Hotel and vote on a change to the PPN Constitution based on a Circular issued by the Department for Rural and Community Development. The Amendment addressed the voting procedure at PPN Plenaries where there is a lack of a Quorum in attendance. The Amendment was passed…

Galway Disability Forum mark May Way Day 2022

On Friday 30 September, the Galway Disability Forum invited its members to join them in marking Make Way Day 2022. ‘Make Way Day’ is a national campaign run by the Disability Federation of Ireland who collaborate across Ireland and the voluntary and local government sectors. The campaign brings the disability and wider community together to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share. Everyone was encouraged to get involved, especially as DFI have discovered…

Public Participation Network Structural Review- Resource Workers Submission

Further to the publication of Mazars Structural Review of the Public Participation Network – Report, the Department of Rural and Community Development sought the views of all Public Participation Networks, the CCMA, Local Authorities, host organisations and other relevant stakeholders on the report. The PPN Workers decided to make a join submission on behalf of all PPN Workers nationally. Please find the submission here: PPN Workers Mazars Submission.   Background info: Public Participation Networks (PPNs) were set up on foot…

Galway County Public Participation Network meets Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD

Press Release   Monday 12th September 2022     Galway County Public Participation Network meets Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, to discuss community needs.   Galway County PPN met with Minister Joe O’Brien TD during his 2-day visit to Galway City and County PPN Secretariat Vincent Lyons highlighted some current shortcomings in the representation of communities on local committees PPN Representatives gave an overview of their activities   On Tuesday 6th September a delegation of the…

Call out for Positive Ageing Week -September 26 – 30, 2022

Positive Ageing Week 2022 is an opportunity to shine a light on all the positive contributions of older people in our communities, and to create a buzz in the city and county which highlights positivity of older age. One part of the campaign is to showcase older people in our communities who we know to be active contributors to friends, family, neighbourhoods and communities and /or who epitomise healthy and active ageing. Do you know someone like this? Wouldn’t it…

Celebrating Community and Voluntary Activity in County Galway

Over 230 people from Community and Voluntary groups from all parts of County Galway gathered at the Connemara Coast Hotel, Furbo on Thursday May 30th to be honoured at the Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards Ceremony. These Awards recognise and celebrate community and voluntary activity in the County. Hosted by retiring Cathaoirleach, Councillor, Seán O Tuairisg, who is leaving the Council after 15 years representing Connemara, the Awards were organised by Galway County Public Participation Unit in partnership with Galway County Council.…

You are invited to the Galway County PPN Plenary

Opportunity to talk to agencies & other community groups and share ideas. Meet your PPN Reps who work on your behalf & discuss your community issues. Find out more about the PPN & all it can offer to community groups. Date:        Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 Time:        6.30pm Venue:     Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway Information stands will be available on: Community Safety Community Funding Schemes Volunteering Training opportunities Info from Rural Networks Services for Community groups County Council Services Community…

Photos of the Cathaoirleach Community Awards 2018 ceremony

CATHAOIRLEACH’S COMMUNITY AWARDS CEREMONY AT THE THEATRE, STATION HOUSE HOTEL, CLIFDEN  

Community Groups & Volunteers recognised for their great achievements in County Galway

Over 200 people from Community and Voluntary groups from around County Galway were honoured at the Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 31st in the Theatre of the Station House Hotel, Clifden. The Awards recognise and celebrate community and voluntary activity in the County. A record number of nominations were received for the nine different categories of Awards presented on the night. View Photos Introducing the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award, Chief Executive of Galway County Council Kevin…

General Data Protection Regulation information for community groups

Galway County PPN hosted 6 information sessions around the county during March and April on the new General Data Protection Regulation. This information was targeted at community & voluntary groups and volunteers. Click here to view the slides from that GDPR Workshop which are helpful to read over in light of the new GDPR regulation coming into effect today, Friday, May 25th. I have also provided links to a couple of good GDPR compliant Data Protection Policies that the trainer…

Nominees shortlisted to go forward for the Cathoirleach’s Community Awards

Nominations for the Galway County Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards 2018 now Open

Applications are now open for The Galway County Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards. An Awards ceremony for groups and individuals who reach the final shortlist for the nine categories of awards will take place on the evening of May 31st in the Clifden Station House Hotel, hosted by current Cathaoirleach of the County, Cllr Eileen Mannion. Nominations must be in by 4pm on Thursday, May 3rd, 2018. The award ceremony, previously known as the Mayor’s Awards, have been going for a long…

Nominations for The Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards 2018

Seeking Nominations for The Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards 2018 (County Galway, excluding the City) The Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards 2018 for the County of Galway will take place in May. We are now seeking nominations for 9 categories: Environmental  Award Sports Award Arts & Culture Award Heritage Publication Award Best Contribution to Heritage Award Best Contribution to the Irish Language (Gaeltacht agus non Gaeltacht)…

Galway Sports Partnership Programme Funding 2018 and workshops.

Galway Sports Partnership is delighted to announce its Programme Funding scheme for 2018. This funding, made available to the Partnership by SPORT IRELAND, is intended to help increase participation levels in sport and physical activity with particular emphasis on those who are currently inactive or who may not have an opportunity to participate. Galway Sports Partnership have five particular target groups in this respect - Women & Girls, Older Adults, People with Disabilities, People who are Unemployed and People from…

MOBILE WEEE (WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT) COLLECTIONS 2018

WEEE Ireland, the Irish compliance scheme for electrical and battery recycling, will hold a series of WEEE collections throughout County Galway starting on April 14th 2018. These collections will allow people from towns and villages across the county to dispose of any household electrical equipment and batteries in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) collections are…

Letter from Dennis Naughton – future of St Brigid’s Hospital

Email from Denis Naughton, TD to community groups Subject: I want to hear your thoughts on the future of St Brigid's Hospital I am writing to ask for your assistance. As you are aware St Brigid’s Hospital is an iconic landmark in Ballinasloe and I am currently embarking on a project – hopefully with your help - which aims to explore potential new uses for the site. I believe this is a site with enormous potential and this project will…

Increased fines for parking in disabled spaces

The fixed charge penalty for able-bodied drivers parking in disabled spaces increased from €80 to €150 at the beginning of this month. Able-bodied people who park in these spaces are making life more difficulty for those who need our support most. The Programme for Government negotiated by myself and my colleagues in the Independent Alliance underlined our firm commitment to do everything we can to help people with disabilities.... Motorists will have 28 days to pay the €150 fine after…

Funding Clinics on the Community Support Scheme

Galway County Council invites applications from Community and Voluntary Groups and individual Artists for support through the following schemes : Support Scheme for Community Based Economic Development 2018 Support Scheme for Community Based Amenities and Services 2018 Individual Artist Bursaries & Tyrone Guthrie Residency 2018 View Advert (PDF) Community Support Scheme 2018 Application Form (Doc) Community Support Scheme 2018 Guidelines (Doc)

Galway County PPN’s upcoming Funding Clinics & Information sessions

Galway County Public Participation Network (PPN) continues to be the main link through which Community & Voluntary organisations, Environment organisations & Social Inclusion organisations in Galway interact with Galway County Council and participate in policy-making committees of the Council. Community groups who register will receive all manners of info relating to community activity such as information on funding, training, local events etc. The PPN promotes citizen engagement and strengthens linkages between communities and Galway County Council. One way of doing…