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(11/Mar/2010)
Completed tenders for either/both projects must be submitted to A/Senior Planner, Forward Planning Section, Laois County Council, Portlaoise, Co. Laois by Wednesday, 31st March 2010 no later than 16.00p.m. The tenderer shall bear in full all costs incurred in connection with the preparation of the tender. Laois County Council are subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 1997.
Appropriate Assessment
Laois County Council invites tenders from experienced and competent consultant ecologists to undertake an Appropriate Assessment of the Laois County Development Plan 2012-2018 as may be required under the European Communities (1992) Council Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive).
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Laois County Council invites tenders from experienced and competent consultant engineers to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment of the Laois County Development Plan 2012-2018 as may be required under The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities November 2009.
Details of the requirements in preparing
(1)Appropriate Assessment download here Appropriate Assessment
(2) Strategic Flood Risk Assessment download here Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
or are available on request from the Forward Planning Section, Tel: 057 8664107
John Daly Director of Planning and Environment
(02/Mar/2010)
Material Alterations to Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2006-2012 are on display in County Hall from Wednesday 3rd March, 2010 untill Wednesday 31st March, 2010. Submissions are invited within these dates. Please see attached documents for further information.
(08/Mar/2010)
Clean Up Laois Week 2010, in association with An Taisce’s National Spring Clean, will commence from Monday 12th to Friday 16th April 2010.
Litter-pickers, bags and gloves will be provided to registered groups, schools and individuals who will be taking part in clean-ups in their own localities. In addition the Environmental Enforcement Officers will work with the community and collect the resulting bags of rubbish.
20.59 tonnes of rubbish was collected in 2009
Laois County Council is committed to making Laois a cleaner, greener County and will continue to promote and fund this very worthwhile initiative.
Please get involved in "turning spoil into sparkle" in 2010 and make your area a better place to live and grow.
Any person / group wishing to participate should register on or before the 7th April 2010.
To register or for further details please contact Ms. Siobhan Donoher at Tel: 057 86 74330
(02/Mar/2010)
Laois County Council invites tenders for the hire of a Landfill Compactor (minimum 35 Tonnes) and standby compactor (Size 30T) at Kyletalesha Landfill, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
Further details are available on
or by contacting the Environment Section, Laois County Council at Tel: 057 86 74322
The closing date for receipt of tenders is 12 noon on Friday 26th March 2010
(17/Feb/2010)
Notice to General Building Contractors - Proposed contract under current Public Works Contract.
Invitation to Tender for the works.
Laois County Council intend to invite tenders from competent Contractors for the Refurbishment and Extension of 3rd Floor, Áras an Chontae, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
The works include the demolition of existing rooftop enclosure and replacement with a new steel framed structure with insulated panelling and glazed walling with integral Mechanical & Electrical services to provide Office Accommodation with ancillary facilities. Approx Area 652 m2.
For full tender information please visit the Public Sector Procurement website at www.etenders.gov.ie
Tender Documentation (Disk format) will be available for collection from Áras an Chontae from 12.00 noon on Thursday, 18th February, 2010 until close of business on Thursday, 4th March 2010.
Tender submissions should be returned in a sealed envelope by 12 noon on Thursday, 1st April, 2010 to the following address:
Ms Anna Marie Delaney, Director of Corporate Services, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
(10/Feb/2010)
National Tree Week begins from 7th to 13th March 2010.
Who can apply:
Laois County Council as in previous years, will have a number of saplings available to celebrate the event. The collection point for the saplings will be the Machinery Yard, Clonkeen, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise on Friday 12th March 2010 from 10 a.m. until lunchtime.
If your Committee wishes to participate in the event, please contact Ms. Maeve Flynn, Horticulturist at 057 86 64166 on or before Friday the 5th March 2010
Please note the responsibility lies with each Committee to collect their trees on the date allocated by the Local Authority. The number of saplings available is limited.
(18/Jan/2010)
Laois County Council are holding a series of information seeking workshops within the community to review the County Development Plan. For venues, dates and times please view:
Have Your Say Community Meetings
(03/Feb/2010)
Laois County Council Arts Service invites applications for the following awards and opportunities to individuals/groups and organizations from County Laois
Arts Act Grants 2010
Artists Patronage Award 2010
Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Award
Artists in Schools Scheme 2010
Drama League of Ireland Summer School Bursary Award
Details and application forms regarding the above schemes are available on request from: The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Telephone: 057 8674342 email: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie
Closing date for receipt of applications for each scheme is Thursday 4th March 2010.
(04/Feb/2010)
The 2010/2011 Register of Electors and Edited Register of Electors were published on 1st February, 2010 and will be force from 15th February, 2010 for a period of one year. The Register of Electors is available for inspection at County Council Offices, Libraries, Garda Stations, Post Offices, Courthouses and Health Centres.
You can check if you are included on the Register of Electors by visiting www.checktheregister.ie
If you are not included on the 2010/2011 Register of Electors and wish to register your name for inclusion on the 2011/2012 Draft Register, please contact the offices of Laois County Council at (057) 866 4105 / (057) 866 4247, by e-mail to register@laoiscoco.ie or by fax to (057) 862 2313 for an application form and further details.
(07/Jan/2010)
Laois County Council advise consumers that most water problems during the present ‘freeze’ relate to the water services entering or inside their houses. Anyone experiencing such problems should contact our offices at 05786 64000.
The two most common sources of the problem are:
1) Either a service pipe between the watermain and the house, which because of the depth at which it has been laid has frozen, or
2) A pipe in an attic, which because of inadequate lagging has frozen.
Because of the diverse nature of each individual case, it is not feasible to issue “one size fits all” advice. In general, householders experiencing problems with frozen pipes are advised to contact their own plumber. The plumber should be able to locate the blockage and may be able to advise on ways of freeing or bypassing the frozen pipe in the short term.
Individual tips which might help to avoid frozen pipes are:
When carrying out any measures to ensure pipes do not freeze, people are reminded to ensure that the measures are carried out in a manner which is safe and does not create a hazard for either themselves or for the general public.
In the longer term, when the thaw sets in, some of the frozen pipes will have burst and will need repair. With this in mind, householders should now familiarise themselves with the location of their stopcock, ensure there is access to the stop cock and know how to turn off the water supply to the house.
Early action to turn off water will reduce the potential for damage, particularly from burst pipes in the attic.
(21/Jan/2010)
An extra meeting in Mountmellick has been added to the public consultation of the reveiw of the County Development Plan.
For time, date and venue please click Revision to Public Consultation Diary of Meetings
(20/Jan/2010)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS NEW PROCEEDURE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO WORK TO RULE.
THE NORMAL SR6 TEST WILL STILL APPLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has advised Local Authorities that, in future, the new EPA Code of Practice for Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e≤10) shall be implemented in respect of all planning applications proposing the use of such treatment systems.
Therefore, from 1st February, 2010, all applications for single dwellings proposing to install a treatment system must include a full site assessment in accordance with the EPA Code of Practice.
Only full site assessments carried out by Laois County Council will be accepted.
Application forms and full details are now available from the Planning Office.
Disruption to water service - Portarlington - 18th March 2010
There will be essential maintenance works carried out to the water supply in Portarlington on Thursday 18th March 2010. This may cause disruption to service particularly in the Station Road and Portarlington Town areas.
Private Sites at Churchfield, Castletown, Co. Laois and Private Sites at Ballyroan, Co. Laois
PRIVATE SITES AT CHURCHFIELD, CASTLETOWN, CO. LAOIS
AND
PRIVATE SITES AT BALLYROAN, CO. LAOIS.
€40,000.00
Laois County Council has available, 20 serviced residential sites at a reduced price of €40,000 each (including development levies) at Churchfield, Castletown and 10 serviced residential sites at a reduced price of €40,000.00 each (including development levies) at Ballyroan, Co. Laois.
A site subsidy may apply to applicants who satisfy certain qualifying rules and criteria. All sites will be sold on a first come first served basis with priority accorded to applicants from the local area.
Further details may be obtained from the Housing Department (057 86 64248).
(16/Feb/2010)
Once again the people of Ireland are joining together to highlight the importance of buying and using fair trade products, and are thus providing producers from the South with fairer trade conditions that allow them to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take control over their lives.
The people of Portlaoise have continually supported this cause and this year Fair trade products are readily available in many retail shops, e.g. Fruit and Nut, Dunne’s Stores, Tesco, Mulhalls, Lidl, Superquinn, and ‘Sweater & More’ are stocking and selling fair trade clothing.
Restaurants, Coffee Shops etc. serving FAIRTRADE products:
The Heritage Hotel, Mc Pearsons - The Theatre, 2 Caffe Latte, O’Gorman’s Kilminchy, O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar, Egan’s, Mulhalls.
Schools, Churches, Library, Teacher’s Centre, E.S.B.,County Council Offices, Agriculture Office , the Credit Union - are all becoming involved.
The theme this year is 'THE BIG SWAP'
We'll be asking people to swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff; your usual tea, coffee, chocolate or bananas for Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate or bananas.
Hold Big Swap events in your local schools, church, library, club, workplace...etc to raise awareness of Fairtrade.
Why not host a swap your breakfast, break, lunch or supper. You could also get your workplace, school or college to permanently swap to a Fairtrade cuppa, also don't forget the option to swap to Fairtrade sugar and snacks. You could also host a cotton swapping event, swap your t-shirts, socks, shopping bags to Fairtrade ones. Now the “Sweater and More” shop in Portlaoise is stocking and selling Fairtrade cotton goods dresses T-shirts and many more items.
Whatever you do this Fairtrade Fortnight make sure you take action.
Congratulation to the Credit Union and the Library who have agreed to hold a coffee morning – dates to be announced later in the week
This year our guest to the town is Hella Alikuru, from Nairobi, Kenya - the Africa Region Coordinator for the International Union of Food & Agricultural Workers (IUF). She will be accompanied by members of FAIRTRADE Ireland and they will be meeting students and the people of Portlaoise on the 24th of Feb at 10 o’clock in the Parish Centre.
We need to take action and use Fairtrade Fortnight this year to tell friends, neighbors, colleagues and communities at home and at work why Frairtrade is vital for poor producers in developing countries.
Be Part of Events in Portlaoise;
MAKE IT HAPPEN CHOOSE FAIRTRADE
To find out more and to register your event visit www.fairtrade.ie
(29/Jan/2010)
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government increased the landfill levy by €5 per tonne up to €30 per tonne from 1st February 2010.
The following revised landfill charges will apply from 1st February 2010:
Information on Charges (valid from 1st February 2010).
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government increased the landfill levy by €5 per tonne up to €30 per tonne from 1st February 2010.
The following revised landfill charges will apply from 1st February 2010:
• Household waste – minimum charge €15 (up to 40kg) plus €135 per tonne above 40kg (includes €30 per tonne Government Levy).
• Waste Collection Permit Holders charged at €135 per tonne (includes €30 per tonne Government Levy).
(22/Feb/2008)
This website was awarded the best overall Local Irish eGovernment Award at the 2008 Irish eGovernment Awards held in the Four Seasons Hotel on 21st February.
The awards were hosted by John Bowman and presented by Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Dept. of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
This award has become the benchmark for recognising excellence in Irish eGovernment and technology innovation in the local government sector.
Laois overcame strong opposition from Kildare, Wicklow and South Dublin County Councils who were also short listed for the award at the ceremony.
This award recognises the efforts of the county council to design their online services around the end users needs while also being designed to maximize interactivity. Special mention was also given to the efforts made to achieve this while ensuring that the online services were fully accessible to all members of the community.
More information is also available from the eGovernment Awards 2008 website.
(08/Jan/2010)
Road safety is our main concern at present, please click on the link below to be directed to our Roads page which contains latest information from Met Eireann, NRA and our Ice Cast System.
Weather forecast, Road Conditions and Driving Tips
(30/Dec/2009)
Review of County Dev Plan - Commencement Notice
Review of County Development Plan - Issues Paper
(13/Jan/2010)
Consumption in Portlaoise and other Towns in Laois up by more than 25%.
This is principally due to leaks (burst mains, leaks on service connections and burst pipes inside domestic properties).
You can help by reporting any obvious leaks on mains in your area and your own service connection. You can contact our offices at 057 8664000.
Do not leave taps running.
(17/Nov/2009)
Laois County Council's Irish Language Scheme, prepared in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003, has been confirmed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Scheme, which comes into effect on 1st December, 2009, can be viewed below.
Scéim na Gaeilge 2009-2012
Irish language Scheme 2009-2012
(08/Dec/2009)
Please note that the last date for holding of pre-planning appointments in 2009 will be Thursday, 17th December, 2009. If you wish to make an appointment please do so as soon as possible, and every effort will be made to accommodate the public in the current year. Appointments will resume on 14th January 2010. Any inconvenience caused is regretted.
(16/Jun/2009)
Result Sheet Portlaoise Town Council 2009
Result Sheet Mountmellick Town Council 2009
Result Sheet Borris in Ossory 2009
Result Sheet Emo 2009
Result Sheet Luggacurren 2009
Result Sheet Mountmellick 2009
Result Sheet Portlaoise County Council 2009
Declaration of Result Portlaoise Town Council 2009
Declaration of result Mountmellick Town Council 2009
Declaration of Result Borris in Ossory 2009
Declaration of Result Emo 2009
Declaration of result Luggacurren 2009
Declaration of result Mountmellick 2009
Declaration of result Porlaoise 2009
(19/May/2009)
Another bring bank has been installed in Portlaoise town which now brings the number of sites in Portlaoise to 6.
The newest bring bank resides at the carpark adjacent to Laois County Council's Block 2 offices (near the Motor Tax Office).
This brings the overall number to 45 bring banks located in Co Laois. Full details regarding the location of the bring banks can be found using the following link: Recycling centres/bring banks
If you know of a suitable location for a bring bank in your area, please contact Mr Pat Rafferty via email (prafferty@laoiscoco.ie) or telephone 057 8664000)
(11/Dec/2008)
The new Portarlington Area Office was officially opened by An Cathaoirleach Thomas Jacob M.C.C. on 11th December, 2008.
The new Area Office, located at 1 Park Lane, Portarlington, Co. Laois, will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Opening Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Phone: (057) 863 6533.
The following services are available:
Water Services
Applications for Well Grants, Water Connections, Sewerage Connections.
Water Supply and Sewerage enquiries
Roads
Road Opening Licences
Road Maintenance enquiries
Planning
Check Planning Applications On-line
On-line Payments Facility
Pay Car Tax and Top up Key-fob
(Credit Card Transactions only).
(01/May/2008)
The Built Heritage Photography Competition attracted a great response, with over 150 high quality entrants. Entries have now been judged, and an awards evening was held in County Hall, Portlaoise, on Tuesday the 26th of August.
The winners in each category were:
Congratulations to all the winners and to those who were Highly Commended by the judges - all were featured in the exhibition in County Hall during Heritage Week.
Background information on the competition is here
(13/Aug/2008)
Laois County Council have prepared a :
Draft Variation No. 1 (2008) to Laois County Development Plan 2006-2012 ,
Draft Variation No 1 (2008) to Mountmellick Local Area Plan ,
Draft Variation No 1 (2008) to Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2006-2012,
Draft Variation No 1 (2008) to Graiguecullen Local Area Plan 2007-2013,
Draft Variation No 1 (2008) to Portarlington Local Area Plan 2007-2013
Strategic Environmental Assessment Decision
More information on Development Plans is available from the Planning Section of this website.
(05/Jun/2008)
On Friday the 6th June at 12.30 the official opening of Portlaoise Leisure Centre will take place. The facility will be officially opened by the Minister for Art, Sport & Tourism Martin Cullen. Also in attendance will be Packie Bonner, ex. Ireland International and FAI Technical Director who will help launch the FAI Regional Development Centre & Football in the Community Development Officer. Both the Minister and Packie Bonner will also officially open The Swan Community Centre and Mini Pitch at 2.30pm.
Portarlington Leisure Centre will also be officially opened on the 6th of June at 10.30am. The Minister for Art Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen will be on hand too officially open the Leisure Centre as well as local representatives from the area. Refreshments will be served after each of the openings and a great day is expected to be had by all!
(24/Jun/2008)
This project which consists of 10 social houses and 4 affordable houses at a total cost of €1.98 million, is a great advancement for the community of Errill.
The contract for this scheme was signed on 23rd December, 2005 and work commenced shortly thereafter. I take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate all concerned with the project and in particular pay tribute to the Contractor Kevin Dollard, and Consulting Quantity Surveyors, Rogerson Reddan & Associates and the Council’s staff on a job well done.
This estate has been named St. Kierans. This name comes from Errill’s association with St. Kieran who founded a monastery in Errill situated midway between Errill village and Errill National School. There is an old ash tree known locally as St. Kieran’s tree together with a well known as St. Kieran’s well.
The objective of Laois County Council is to provide good quality accommodation for people in need and today is a perfect example of this. The Council is very proud of its building record which is probably one of the best in the country.
I have no doubt that you will be very happy in your new homes and that you will contribute to and enrich the community of Errill. However, a house is a house but around it, it is up to you to build a community and live in harmony with your neighbours. I take this opportunity to wish you many long years of health and happiness in St. Kierans.
(21/Apr/2008)
The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. officially opened Portlaoise Civic Plaza on Monday 21st April, 2008. Portlaoise Civic Plaza is a major flagship urban project on a very strategic and prominent site adjacent to County Hall on James Fintan Lalor Avenue.
The objective of Laois County Council was to provide a civic space of appropriate strength and scale which also contained an element of car parking.
The Plaza is divided between a green park and an open hard paved civic square with a pedestrian link connecting both elements – each with a different character and function.
The park is a green space suitable for casual everyday usage such as lunch breaks, lounging around. The horizontal granite slabs and hedges segment the area and provide opportunities for seating. During the night illumination transforms these walls into a piece of land-art.
The formal civic square provides a hard landscaped civic area which is designed to accommodate open air events such as concerts, meeting, recitals etc.
Computer controlled water jets, feature lighting, seating and street furniture have created a civic environment which has life and visual quality appropriate to both its location and function in the centre of Portlaoise.
Mature trees and landscaping has been used to give immediate visual effect.
The double deck car parking, with a total of 180 spaces in the area, has been designed to minimise its visual impact and provide a sense of enclosure to the civic space.
Realisation of this project would not have been possible without the very kind support and generosity of Dunnes Stores who donated the site for the plaza for use by the people of Laois.
The total project cost is in excess of €3.5m. Financial assistance was made available by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local government through the Operational Programme for Urban and Village Development.
(13/Dec/2007)
Plasterboard consists of gypsum which is processed into a board and usually has a paper covering. These prefabricated sheets are used as a backing or as a substitute for plastering walls. It is widely used in the home improvements (DIY) and building industry. But did you know that plasterboard can be recycled rather than landfilled?
The benefits of recycling plasterboard include:
• Cost saving on landfill charges;
• Environmentally friendly end of life solutions for plasterboard.
Charges apply: Reduced Fee of €80 per tonne for recycling waste plasterboard.
Opening Hours of Kyletalesha Landfill and Portlaoise Recycling Centre are Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. Please ensure you have enough credit on your keyfob prior to visiting the Landfill/Recycling Centre.
(05/Nov/2007)
A new permanent collection is now available all year round at Portlaoise Recycling Centre for the disposal of Household Hazardous Waste. Items that are accepted Free of Charge include:
Portlaoise Recycling Centre is open Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm.
No medicines are accepted at this location - householders are advised to bring back medicines to their local Chemist which are particpating in the Dispose of Unwanted Medicines Properly (DUMP) scheme.
(21/Oct/2009)
n1st instalment payment in respect of all valid applications has now been forwarded to your College. Please contact the Bursar's Office within the College to collect and sign for your payment. Please note that 2nd and 3rd instalments are due for payment in January and Easter 2010 respectively.
All applicants who qualify for an additional Special Rate of Maintenance Payment will receive the 1st instalment payment at their home address within the coming 2 weeks.
Laois County Council wishes you continued success in your studies.
(09/Jan/2009)
Laois County Council picked up a prestigious award at Chambers Ireland fifth annual Excellence in Local Government Award on Thursday 6th November 2008. The awards aim to acknowledge and encourage innovation and best practice among
Projects were initially nominated by local Chamber of Commerce and shortlisted into the various category areas and were adjudicated based on the project’s ability to demonstrate its benefit to the community. The Awards, at which RTE’s Mary Kennedy was the MC.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormely T.D presented the award to Ms Ann Marie Maher, Sport & Leisure Officer at the function attended by over 520 Local Authority officials and Chamber representatives. Ms Maher commented that she was delighted that Laois County Council is being recognised for its consistent efforts to enhance quality of life through the provision of sport and recreation facilities throughout
Further information on both projects from Sport & Leisure Section, Laois County Council at 057 8664007. Email: sports@laoiscoco.ie.
Portlaoise Leisure Centre Enquiries: (057) 8681200
(03/Feb/2009)
A “SELF SERVICE PLANNING MAPS SYSTEM” is now also available on Laois County Councils website. By clicking on Planning/Planning Maps/SSPS Maps, you can now draw your proposed development site boundary on our system and receive an instant report about Council and government policies which might impact on your proposed development. The system is very simple to use but there is a help page available which may be of assistance to you. Please contact the Planning Office, (057)86 64032 if you have any queries regarding any of the above.
(03/Feb/2009)
The Planning Office wishes to announce the introduction of “AT-THE-COUNTER VALIDATION” of Planning Files with immediate effect. Initially this service is being offered with regard to the following files:
· “One –off” dwelling applications
· Domestic Extensions
This service will be available Monday to Friday 9.30 – 12.30. There will be a maximum wait time of one hour. It is envisaged that this service will be extended to all files in the coming months.
(11/Feb/2009)
Laois County Council on January 26th 2009 pursuant to the provisions of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 adopted a Five Year Traveller Accommodation Programme for County Laois for the period 2009-2013. A copy of the programme is available to download here:
Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme 2009-2013
It is also available for inspection and purchase (cost €5.00) at the following locations during normal working hours.
Áras An Chontae, James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Portlaoise
Area Office Portarlington
Mountmellick Town Council Offices
(24/Jun/2009)
Items accepted for recycling include:
Location: Lea Road, Portarlington
Opening Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 8am to 5pm
Admission Fee: Car €3.00; Car + Trailer €5.00; Van €5.00
Please note this facility is for domestic householders only.
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