Annual Report Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2018 2018 Strategic Vision
To serve the communities of Roscommon with enthusiasm, courtesy and absolute respect, to revitalise the social, economic, cultural and environmental fabric of our towns and villages and rural communities, to provide supports and mechanisms to empower all of our communities to grow, and to ensure that the Council’s budget is effectively spent and accounted for.
Front Cover: Elphin Windmill
Above: Aerial view of Roscommon County Council and surrounding area. Contents
Introduction from An Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive 2
Elected Members of Roscommon County Council 4
Strategic Policy Committees, SPCs 2014-2019 5 Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism 7
Corporate Services 17
Assets and Energy Management 23
Emergency Services 25
Development Incentives and Control 29
Environmental Protection 32
Finance 37
Housing and Building 41
Human Resources 45
Information and Communication Technologies 47
Library Services 48
Roads, Transportation and Safety 50
Water Services 55
Local Community Development Committee Report 60
Corporate Plan Report 62
Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018 64
Appendix 2: Councillors’ Conferences 2018 70
Appendix 3: Councillors’ Committees 2018 72
Annual Report 2018 1 Introduction from An Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive
We are delighted to present the 2018 Annual Report which outlines details of the quality services and comprehensive range of projects, programmes and initiatives undertaken by Roscommon County Council during the year.
It is a privilege to report on the County Council’s gg In July 2018, Somers Park, Castlerea was officially achievements and successes throughout 2018 in opened by Ms. Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister responding to the many challenges of providing a for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The highly competent, professional and innovative service Somers Park project was funded by Roscommon County Council with the additional support of to the clients and communities that it serves. Harmac Medical Products, the Department of Among the many highlights for the year were: Children and Youth Affairs and Castlerea Town Team. The project was also made possible gg The levels of expenditure for the Council’s thanks to the collaborative efforts of several local Revenue and Capital Accounts for 2018 were stakeholders including, Enterprise Castlerea, €58.8m and €30.4m respectively. Castlerea Town Trust, St. Teresa’s Girl Guides gg €30.1m in funding was allocated to national and and Roscommon Municipal District. The park is non-national roads in 2018. named after the Somers family who set up the gg €8.4m was allocated for the operation and Harmac Medical Products factory in Castlerea 20 maintenance of existing water and wastewater years ago. schemes and for the delivery of capital projects gg In October 2018, at a ceremony in the Council under the 2018 Annual Services Plan that was Chamber, Athlone Institute of Technology agreed with Irish Water. conferred a Distinguished Fellowship award on gg In November, Irish Water, working in partnership John Somers, CEO and President of Harmac with Roscommon, Mayo and Galway County Medical Products. This award is the institute’s Councils, celebrated the official opening of the greatest academic honour and is bestowed €10 million investment which saw the extension on individuals who, through active leadership of the Lough Mask Water Supply Scheme in or scholarly pursuits, have made significant County Mayo to Ballinlough, Cloonfad, Granlahan contributions to Ireland, the midlands region and Williamstown. and, indeed, their local communities. Through the conferring of the Distinguished Fellowship, g g The N61 Coolteige Phase 1 Road Project Mr. Somers, who has a notable record of involved the realignment and improvement of achievement in business, has been granted life- approximately 2.9 km of a section of National long membership of the institute, with whom he Secondary Road on the northern outskirts has established a close relationship. of Roscommon Town. Works on the main construction contract commenced on site in the gg Councillor Ivan Connaughton, Cathaoirleach, first quarter of 2018 and the mainline opened to and Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive, hosted traffic in the final quarter of 2018. a reception at Áras an Chontae for the Chinese Ambassador H.E. Dr. YUE Xiaoyong when the g g Roscommon County Council completed the Ambassador visited the county on Monday 24th purchase of seven single dwellings in various September 2018. locations and the turnkey construction of ten units at Monksfield Park, Athlone under gg The Civic Honour of Freedom of the the Housing Acquisition and Construction Administrative Area of County Roscommon was Programme. Work also commenced on projects awarded to the artist Mr. Brian O’Doherty at an at Station Road, Boyle and Lisroyne Court, award ceremony which took place on 26th April Strokestown. In addition, the County Council 2018 in the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal together with a number of Approved Housing Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin. Bodies delivered thirty-eight houses under gg On 12th September 2018, An Taoiseach Leo the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) Varadkar TD was joined by Minister for Culture, throughout the County. Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan gg A programme of fire station improvements TD and Minister for Housing, Planning and works continued during 2018. Renovation works Local Government Eoghan Murphy TD for were completed at Ballaghaderreen, Boyle and the launch of Roscommon County Council’s Castlerea Fire Stations. Boyle Fire Station also Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 - 2022, as took delivery of a new Class B Water Tender. part of the Creative Ireland Programme. This ambitious strategy aims to provide meaningful g g Building works on Phase 2 of Roscommon Arts opportunities for citizens and local communities, Centre commenced. together with the County Council, to nurture, sustain and facilitate participation in cultural and creative activities.
2 Roscommon County Council Introduction from An Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive gg Boyle 2040 was launched in King House, Boyle in October 2018 by Denis Naughten T.D., Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The plan, which will see a rejuvenation of Boyle town centre, has been the subject of extensive research and planning by Boyle Town Team in conjunction with Roscommon County Council Town Centre Planning Unit for the last two years. It presents a framework for public realm enhancement to the north and west side of the town to include Main Street, Bridge Street, St. Patrick Street and backlands of Boyle town centre. The plan also includes a vision for the former Royal Hotel site and linkages to the proposed Lough Key to Boyle Greenway. We wish to acknowledge the commitment, gg The inaugural Cathaoirleach’s Creative dedication and hard work of the Elected Members, Citizenship Award took place on 14th June 2018. the Corporate Policy Group, Chairpersons and gg Roscommon County Council established an Members of the Strategic Policy Committees and annual sports bursary in honour of the late Municipal District Committees, the Management Dermot Earley. Team and staff of Roscommon County Council. gg A Digital Transformation Team was established We also wish to express our appreciation to the to transform how the County Council provides many voluntary and community organisations services to and interacts with the customers it with whom the Council interacts for their on-going serves through the use of digital technologies. enthusiasm and co-operation. This collaborative gg Energy saving measures contributed to approach is vital to facilitating the Council to deliver significant savings for the County Council. on its strategic vision to ‘serve the communities A 22.8% energy reduction was achieved based of Roscommon with enthusiasm, courtesy and on a 2009 baseline. absolute respect, to revitalise the social, economic, gg The launch of ‘Irelands Hidden Heartlands’ cultural and environmental fabric of our towns during 2018 presented Roscommon County and villages and rural communities, to provide Council with an additional platform to market its supports and mechanisms to empower all of tourist attractions. our communities to grow, and to ensure that the gg A total of €60,000 was allocated to eighty- Council’s budget is effectively spent and accounted three projects under the Council’s Community for.’ The achievements outlined in this Annual Report, and Amenity Grants Scheme. which have significantly benefited the people of gg A total of €248,252 was allocated to forty- Roscommon in terms of economic, social, cultural seven projects under the Council’s Community and infrastructural development, could not have Enhancement Scheme. been accomplished without each and every one of gg Roscommon County Council adopted the your considerable efforts, energy and enterprise County Roscommon Road Traffic (Special throughout the year. Your collective input is to be Speed Limits Housing Estates) Bye-Laws 2018 highly commended. which came into effect on 1st August 2018. These bye-laws introduced Special Speed Limits of 30 KPH on designated sections of roads in selected housing estates throughout the county. gg Roscommon County Council’s Vacant Homes Action Plan was finalised in 2018. This plan focuses on the main settlements in the county and identifies a number of actions to be pursued Cllr Ivan Connaughton Eugene Cummins in resolving the issue of vacant homes. Cathaoirleach Chief Executive gg The Council’s Laboratory increased its Roscommon County Council Roscommon County Council accreditation for a number of drinking water, wastewater and ambient water quality parameters to ISO 17025:2005. gg Roscommon Fire Service was awarded OHSAS 18001 (formal Safety Management System) Certification. gg The County Council adopted a proactive response to the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into effect on 25th May 2018.
Annual Report 2018 3 ElectedElected Members of Roscommon CountyMembers Council of Roscommon
Elected Members of Roscommon County Council
Boyle Municipal District
Boyle
Roscommon
Cllr. Valerie Byrne Cllr. John Cummins Cllr. Rachel Doherty Cllr. Liam Callaghan Cllr. Michael Mulligan Cllr. Joe Murphy Non-Party Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Sinn Féin Fianna Fáil Athlone
Boyle Roscommon Municipal District
Roscommon
Boyle
Athlone Roscommon
Cllr. Domnick Cllr. Michael Creaton Cllr. Nigel Dineen Connolly Fine Gael Non-Party Non-Party
Athlone
Boyle Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice Cllr. Orla Leyden Cllr. Kathleen Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil Shanagher Non-Party Roscommon Athlone Municipal District
Athlone
Cllr. Ivan Cllr. Laurence Cllr. John Keogh Cllr. Paddy Kilduff Cllr. John Naughten Cllr. Tony Ward Connaughton Fallon Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Non-Party Fianna Fáil Non-Party
4 Roscommon County Council Strategic Policy Committees, SPCs 2014-2019
Economic Development and Enterprise Support (including Roads and Culture) Strategic Policy Committee
Councillors Sectoral Nominations gg Kathleen Shanagher gg Brendan Allen Business / Commercial (Chair - January to 24th October 2018) gg Mary Clifford Community / Voluntary gg Nigel Dineen gg Rebecca Dobson Environmental / (Chair - 24th October to December 2018) Conservation gg Valerie Byrne gg Mark McGovern Development / Construction gg Michael Creaton gg Jimmy Murray Agriculture / Farming gg Joe Murphy gg Liam Callaghan gg John Keogh gg Domnick Connolly gg Orla Leyden gg Tony Ward In 2018, four meetings of the SPC were held. The following matters were discussed: gg Local Improvement Schemes gg Arts Centre development works gg Diaspora Strategy gg Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) speed limits gg Rathcroghan Visitor Centre gg Local Enterprise Office activities, including Brexit gg Roscommon Science, Technology, Engineering supports and Maths (STEM) Project
Housing and Corporate Strategic Policy Committee
Councillors Sectoral Nominations gg John Cummins (Chair) gg Sean Flanagan Development / Construction gg John Keogh gg Maria Harris Social Inclusion gg Ivan Connaughton gg Vacancy Trade Union gg Laurence Fallon gg Vincent Moran Community / Voluntary gg Nigel Dineen gg Margaret Mulligan Social inclusion gg Rachel Doherty gg Liam Callaghan gg Joe Murphy gg Tony Ward
In 2018, three meetings of the SPC were held. The following matters were discussed: gg Casual Trading Bye Laws gg Rebuilding Ireland Pipeline and demand gg Draft Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 gg Refugee update gg Grants for Windows and Doors gg Traveller Accommodation Program 2019-2024 gg Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan gg Passive Housing Standards gg Differential Rent Scheme
Annual Report 2018 5 Strategic Policy Committees, SPCs 2014-2019
Planning Strategic Policy Committee
Councillors Sectoral Nominations gg Paschal Fitzmaurice (Chair) gg Tom Connolly Development / Construction gg Valerie Byrne gg Tommy Cooney Agriculture / Farming gg Ivan Connaughton gg Eilish Feeley Environmental / Conservation gg John Cummins (resigned October 2018) gg Nigel Dineen (until June 2018) gg Albert Looby Business / Commercial gg Rachel Doherty gg John Roche Community / Voluntary gg Paddy Kilduff (Deceased August 2018) gg Michael Mulligan gg John Naughten gg Tony Ward (joined June 2018)
In 2018, two meetings of the SPC were held. The following matters were discussed:
gg County Roscommon Rural Design Guidelines gg Planning and Development (Amendment) gg Updates on the Vacant Homes Strategy Regulations 2018 gg Updates on the Vacant Sites Levy gg Planning and Development (Amendment) gg Potential review of Roscommon County Act 2018 Council’s Development Contributions Scheme
Environmental and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee
Councillors Sectoral Nominations gg John Naughton (Chair) gg Eoin Browne Business / Commercial gg Laurence Fallon gg Ger Donoghue Community / Voluntary gg Paschal Fitzmaurice gg Michael Ewing Environmental / Conservation gg Michael Creaton gg Louis Martin Agriculture / Farming gg Paddy Kilduff gg Anthony McCormack Trade Union gg Orla Leyden gg Kathleen Shanagher gg Dominick Connolly gg Michael Mulligan
In 2018, four meetings of the SPC were held. The following matters were discussed
gg Anti-Dumping Initiative and Mattress gg UN Sustainable Development Goals Amnesty gg Waste Presentation Bye-Laws gg National Inspection Plan – Septic Tanks gg Fire Safety Task Force gg RMCEI (Recommended Minimum Criteria for gg Water Framework Directive Environmental Inspections) Plan gg Portrunny Catchment Plan gg Noise Action Plan gg Food Waste/Brown Bin Rollout
6 Roscommon County Council Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Community and Enterprise Public Participation The Community and Enterprise Network (PPN) Department provides support for the Roscommon Public Participation network is County Roscommon Local Community the main link through which the local authority Development Committee. It also connects with the community, social inclusion and leads Roscommon County Council’s environmental sectors without prejudice to other involvement with and encouragement consultation processes. The aim of the structures of community initiatives, the arts and and processes is to facilitate and enable the public heritage throughout the county. and the organisations to articulate a diverse range of views and interests within the local government system. Roscommon County Council continues to Joint Policing Committee support the Public Participation Network with the (JPC) employment of a dedicated Resource Worker. Roscommon JPC has twenty-eight members consisting of thirteen Council members, three Community and Amenity Oireachtas members, six Community Sector members, two Garda representative and two local Grants Scheme 2018 authority officials. Three meetings were held during A total of €60,000 was allocated to the Community 2018, one of which was a public meeting. The main and Amenity Grants Scheme in 2018. Grants were items discussed at the meetings were as follows: awarded to eighty-three projects. The amounts awarded ranged from €500 to €1,500. Tidy towns gg Annual Report 2017; associations and local development groups were gg Community CCTV Schemes; prioritised in line with the scheme. In addition, an gg Drink Driving Convictions; allocation was also made to the County Roscommon Community Games and the three Sub-Aqua Clubs gg Domestic Violence Monitoring; that are active in Search and Rescue in County gg Age Friendly Strategy; Roscommon. gg Drug Prevention and Advice; gg Property Marking Scheme.
Portrunny Annual Report 2018 7 Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Representatives from Ballintubber Tidy Towns receiving their award at the 2018 Pride of Place awards ceremony in City Hall, Cork.
Pride of Place Competition Funding Awarded Roscommon County Council nominated three Roscommon County Council applied for and was Community Groups to the 2018 All Island Pride of awarded grant funding for the following projects Place Competition. The Groups who represented in 2018: County Roscommon were Tulsk Action group, Strokestown Town team and Ballintubber Tidy Scheme Location Amount Towns. The results of the competition were Athleague €100,000 announced at an Awards Ceremony held in Cork Ballaghaderreen €100,000 City Hall on Saturday 17th November 2018. Tulsk Boyle €200,000 € action Group and Ballintubber Tidy Towns were Town & Village Renewal Monksland 200,000 Roscommon €100,000 awarded a runner-up prize in their categories. Roosky €100,000 Strokestown €80,000 Outdoor Recreation Boyle €500,000 2018 Community Infrastructure Scheme Urban Regeneration & Roscommon €780,000 Enhancement Scheme Development Fund Pilot Residential A total of €248,252 was allocated to the 2018 Boyle €100,000 Occupancy Scheme Community Enhancement Scheme. Grants were awarded to forty-seven projects. The amounts Roscommon County Council submitted applications allocated varied from €1,000 to €21,000. A specific to two rounds of the Regional Enterprise portion of funding under this scheme was allocated Development Fund for the development of to Men’s Shed projects. Enterprise Hubs in Roscommon and Monksland, both of which were unsuccessful. Recommendations CLÁR 2018 received from Enterprise Ireland from the first round applications were addressed in the second € A total of 312,464 was allocated to eleven Schools applications that again proved unsuccessful. and Communities under the CLÁR 2018 Programme. Schools were awarded seven grants under Schools Roscommon Social Inclusion Safety Measures and Support for Play Areas. Four communities were successful under Community Unit (SI Unit) Safety Measures. The main objective of the SI Unit is to embed Social Inclusion in the corporate body of Roscommon County Council and to co-operate with other organisations and agencies throughout the county through structures such as the Local Community Development Committee.
8 Roscommon County Council Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
The SI Unit facilitated the roll out of events with a step, wonderful woodlice and science magic with Social Inclusion focus including National Playday on house hold items. There were also fire station tours the 25th June in the picturesque Lough Key Forest facilitated by fire services staff around the county Park in Boyle with over 600 people in attendance, and a competition for tickets to visit The Arigna National Recreation Week and Bike Week. Mining Experience. The SI Unit also managed a very successful The SI Unit also administered the roll out of the programme of events during Social Inclusion Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Week in October 2018 with events hosted by (STEM) initiative across the county in partnership REGARI Recovery College; Roscommon Traveller with the Roscommon Lions Club and Foroige. The Health Project; Roscommon Disability Support STEM initiative supported the delivery of a variety Group; Roscommon Stroke Support Group; of workshops for young people aimed at exciting Una Bhan Tourism; Roscommon Age Friendly their interest in science, technology, engineering Alliance; The Brother of Charity; Siamsa Resource and mathematics. These work shops were held in Centre; Ballaghaderreen and Keadue/Drumboylan Roscommon, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle Rural Men’s Groups; Roscommon FAI Sports and Strokestown and involved an enormous Development Officer; Roscommon Women’s amount of support from project workers and over Network; St Aidan’s; Elphin Day Care Centre; Mental thirty-four volunteers. Workshops included stop Health Ireland; Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg; motion animation, Child and Adolescent Mental the Emergency, Reception and Orientation Centre Health Services (CAMHS) transition programme, (EROC); Hub Community Café; Triest Press CL;, photography and film making, comic book making, Roscommon Friends of Breastfeeding; Strokestown science experiments, gaming, sound surfers, Women’s Shed and Strokestown Town Team. makey makey engineering, coder dojo coding for The SI Unit is responsible for administering the beginners and intermediates, darts clubs and a implementation of the Age Friendly Strategy, bike fixing workshop. including the Age Friendly Working Group The SI Unit is responsible for hosting the Health and County Alliance. During 2018 the Council and Wellbeing Sub-committee of the Local supported members of the Roscommon Older Community Development Committee whose Peoples Council (OPC) to attend the 2018 responsibility it is to deliver on the objectives of National Age Friendly Convention in Wicklow the Healthy Roscommon Plan 2018–2021. These and also designed and published an Age Friendly objectives include: Information and Services Directory for the county. gg Reducing isolation; The Council hosted Age and Ability awareness gg Provide activities accessible to all; training in Aras an Chontae during Social gg Help people become motivated to Inclusion week and purchased new age-friendly participate; seating which was installed in the foyer of the gg Get families active together; building. In collaboration with the Information and gg Communications Technology (ICT) Department, Share information among service providers. information technology upgrade training was Grant funding through the Department of Health facilitated for staff from the Brothers of Charity in for Healthy Ireland initiatives is also administered the Council’s training rooms. through the SI Unit. This funding is specifically Facilitation of Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg is reserved to assist with the delivery of the Healthy also a function of the SI Unit and the young people Roscommon Plan. Projects supported through the hosted a very successful intergeneration event Healthy Ireland fund in 2018 include Roscommon called ‘Tea with Teens’ during the summer as well as Town Team Explore and Restore weekend, Boyle participating in the Comhairle National Showcase in Cycle Friendly Town, Roscommon outdoor walks Croke Park in November. The Comhairle also held booklet, activity classes for people with physical a successful AGM during Social Inclusion week and intellectual disabilities in Cuisle Respite at which all but one of the secondary schools in Holiday Centre, theatre and arts for older people Roscommon were represented. in care settings with Roscommon Arts Office, Roscommon SI Unit, in conjunction with the ready and able training for coaches working with Science Federation of Ireland, rolled out a week children who have additional needs, a Halloween long program of events for the promotion of activity camp for children with additional needs, Science Week 2018. There were school based get men active now initiative and transition year events held across the county including exploring on your bike initiative through Roscommon Sports the past through science, nature on your door Partnership.
Annual Report 2018 9 Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Sports Development Arts Office Officers In 2018, the arts programme continued to support, encourage and nurture the arts with a number Roscommon County Council made a contribution of both existing and new programmes. These towards the work of the FAI Development included an inclusive children’s and young people’s Officer, GAA Development Officer and a Rugby programme, with the Artists in Schools Residency Development Officer in 2018. For the first time programme, Writers Visits to Secondary Schools during 2018 the Council also committed to Initiative, Bookworms - the Children’s Literary support the work of the Ladies Gaelic Football Festival, the Roscommon County Youth Orchestra Officer to support girl’s participation in sport. (RCYO) and the Roscommon County Youth Part of the core objectives of the work of the Theatre (RCYT). The House of Oedipus, the epic Sports Development Officers is to promote social Greek tragedy, was performed by the RCYT in the inclusion through sport. Sports Development Roscommon Arts Centre for three days in April. Officers aim to achieve: In 2018, work continued on the extensive Literary gg The promotion of social inclusion through Development Programme including the New sport, particularly in geographic areas of Roscommon Writers Awards, the Chapbook disadvantage by working with schools, Bursary Award and the publication of the clubs, social inclusion groups and Anthology of New Roscommon Writing. community groups; gg Development of programs with Roscommon The Individual Artists Bursary and the Tyrone Sports Partnership in the area of disability. Guthrie Bursary programme saw twenty- four bursaries awarded, enabling artists to advance gg Work in the community with non-national their careers as artists. groups; gg Ensuring delivery of integrated sports The theme of the three day Douglas Hyde development programmes throughout the Conference event was ‘People, Places and Time: community; Converging Histories’, which focused on the events of one hundred years ago in 1918. gg Increase participation and the opportunities for participation; Thirteen events helped ensure that Culture Night gg Developing partnership and co-ordination 2018 was celebrated across the county. between the relevant local statutory and The Intercultural Project culminated in an evening voluntary bodies. of theatre, music and dance in the Roscommon Arts Centre, which was a mix of Irish dancing with During 2018 the Sports Development Officers the Brazilian Capouire martial arts, the melodic worked with groups including refugee families jazz sounds of a local Slovakian family band and in the EROC, members of the Roma community, a newly devised theatre piece entitled ‘From children with additional needs, migrant children, Where to Here’ developed around the themes of marginalised women and emerging communities. displacement, the concept of home, belonging and community.
The International Fibre Art Festival of exhibitions, workshops and symposia took place over four days in May, in Aras an Chontae and King House, Boyle with local, national and international exhibitors and speakers.
The singing group Guess Who’s Back and other musicians held a performance in the Derrane Resource Centre, which was complimented by an art exhibition from the Roscommon Support Group Art and Creative Development Group. This is the second phase of the Arts and Disability programme.
10 Roscommon County Council Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Douglas Hyde Roscommon Arts Centre Interpretative Centre 2018 saw the commencement of building works The burial place of Dr. Douglas Hyde, first on Phase 2 of Roscommon Arts Centre. In order President of Ireland, continues to be an to accommodate the building works, a reduced important historic and cultural landmark in programme of activities took place at the centre, County Roscommon which attracts many which was complimented by an off-site visual art visitors, including school tours and visits from programme. Despite the reduced programme, local community groups and historical societies. almost 13,000 people attended 205 ticketed In 2018, the Centre continued to develop as events at the centre. a cultural hub within the county, with large This programme included thirty-three theatre numbers of visitors on Culture Night. performances, eighteen music events, fifty-seven children’s events, forty-seven workshops and six King House exhibitions.
Visitor numbers to King House increased once Within this programme, three festivals took again in 2018 to almost 17,000. The venue was place; the Bookworms Literary Festival, very busy with many cultural events, which Lollipops Children’s Festival and the Roscommon included music, drama and visual art exhibitions. Drama Festival. Roscommon Arts Centre also The Mary McAleese Collection ‘Intertwined’, participated in the 2018 Bealtaine Festival and proved to be very popular as did the Connaught the nationwide Culture Night celebrations were Rangers Museum, which is of particular interest marked with a performance in association with to those who research the Connaught Rangers, Roscommon Women’s Network which brought who fought in wars around the world. over twenty-five performers to the stage from all over the world. The Boyle Civic Art collection, which is housed in King House, was enjoyed by many visitors Four exhibitions, featuring the work of eight throughout the season while the Boyle Arts artists took place in the gallery space before it Festival continued to attract a large number of closed for renovations in June, including The Park visitors with its extensive quality programme. Project III commissioned artist, Anna Macleod, RVAF award recipient Siobhan O’Connor, Ciaran Óg Arnold, Martin Cregg and Mark Duffy whose exhibition ‘In, Around & Aftereffects’ formed part of the PhotoIreland Festival 2018. As construction of the new gallery space commenced, the visual art programme moved off-site with artists Fiona McDonald and Lucy McKenna.
Artists Karl Burke and Padraig Cunningham were awarded the Arts and Disability commission to work with thirty clients from The Brother of Charity Group in Roscommon, which led to an installation entitled ‘Difference & Repetition’ at the gallery.
Teach Damsa – Swan Lake/Loch na hEala
Annual Report 2018 11 Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Theatre Artist Julie Sharkey completed her two- year residency in the autumn with the first public reading of her new play ‘Chicken Wings in Peace’ by a professional cast. The Visual Art Writer in Residence programme expanded with writer and researcher Sue Rainsford joining 2017 resident Joanne Laws.
Supports to other artists included the recipient of the 2016 Bookworms commission, Paul Curley for his show ‘Dig’ and Anthony Keigher for his show ‘Confirmation’. The centre also embarked on the development of a new show for young children with artist Anna Newell and Touched Theatre Everyman Theatre – Autumn Royal entitled ‘My Smile Has Fallen Down’, which will be further developed in 2019.
In association with the Branar Theatre Company, mapping and collaborative play alongside artists Roscommon Arts Centre launched the Hatch Naomi Draper and Maree Hensey, while workshops programme and the first two Hatch recipients, in comedy, music and visual art for children also Manuela Corbari and Karl Quinn received funding took place throughout the first half of the year to to develop work explored at Branar’s ‘Tiny Shows’ compliment the auditorium programme. initiative. A number of professional development workshops for artists were delivered throughout Roscommon Arts Centre’s Education Programme 2018 in association with Visual Artists Ireland in 2018 included initiatives for both primary and directly responding to the needs of the visual arts secondary school students. The Gallery X:ED community in Roscommon. programme, in partnership with art teachers and secondary schools from across the county, aims The centre hosted eight events as part of the to develop a progressive approach to introducing Bookworms Literary Festival in 2018. In addition students to contemporary visual art throughout to a series of performances, author Siobhan the academic year. Through visits to the Parkinson gave a series of readings, the First Roscommon Arts Centre gallery and specifically Editions Commissionee Julie Sharkey shared her designed workshops, the programme supports the work in development ‘An Aunt Called Amy’ with existing leaving certificate art curriculum. Eighty young audiences and Children’s Books Ireland also students from Roscommon Community College, returned to the centre. CBS Roscommon and Abbey Community College, Sixteen events took place throughout October as Boyle worked with four professional artists as part part of the month long Lollipops Children’s Festival of this programme during 2018. celebration. A new dimension to this year’s festival ‘Filmed’ is Roscommon Arts Centre’s educational was “Tradoodle” a two day traditional event, which cinema programme run in association with Irish was made possible with the support of Creative Film Institute. The centre continues to provide Ireland. a heavily subsidised programme of educational A programme of weekly workshops continued screenings aimed at Junior Certificate, Transition during the first half of 2018 for older people in Year and Leaving Certificate students that are contemporary dance with Catherine Donnelly and supported with Education Packs and introductions choral singing with Cathy Jordan. During May as by officers from the Irish Film Institute. part of the nationwide Bealtaine programme, The final strand of the 2018 education programme, author, journalist and playwright Michael Harding ‘Artschool Takeover’, which was supported by delivered a workshop programme and theatre Creative Ireland, placed contemporary artists in artist in residence Julie Sharkey delivered a series a small rural school for a day long programme of of free acting workshops entitled “Act Your Age” activities in each classroom. Cloontuskert National for those aged fifty and over. School was selected as the 2018 school and work Working with Kidsown Publishing, a series of developed during this initiative will be presented weekend workshops for young families, explored in Roscommon Arts Centre and Aras an Chontae a sense of place and physical location through on completion.
12 Roscommon County Council Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
County Roscommon Heritage Forum Notice Nature Biodiversity Marquee at the Roscommon Lamb Festival Family Fun Day in Loughnaneane Park
Heritage The Heritage Office, in conjunction with the County Roscommon Heritage Forum, works to implement the County Roscommon Heritage Plan 2018-2021 which sets out the strategic heritage goals for the county.
Heritage Research Bursary Táin March The 2018 Heritage Research Bursary was awarded The Táin March set out from Rathcroghan Mound to Daniel Curley for his NUI Galway PhD research on 18th May. The march was met by over 100 school ‘Exploring the Archaeology of the O’Kelly Lordship children from eight primary schools on Rathcroghan on Uí Maine, c. 1100-1600’. Mound. Eight schools’ workshops took place to facilitate the project. This is aimed to support raising ‘Lets Get Buzzing’ Award – awareness of Rathcroghan Royal Site. Tidy Schools & Tidy Cemeteries Cats of Cruachan Competitions The ‘Cats of Cruachan’ an animation, funded by This award aims to encourage schools and The Heritage Council, inspired by poetry and community groups to implement pollinator artwork created by school children as part of the friendly actions in their schools and cemeteries Táin March 2018, was produced. as part of the Council’s annual environmental competitions. In the cemeteries competition the Rindoon Castle and Deserted ‘Lets Get Buzzing’ awards went to St. Ronan’s, Taughmaconnell (1st prize), Kilruane Old (2nd Medieval Town – a Visitor Guide prize) and Portrunny (3rd prize). In the schools’ The guidebook ‘Rindoon Castle and Deserted competition, the ‘Lets Get Buzzing’ awards Medieval Town – a Visitor Guide’ by Dr. Kieran went to Kilteevan National School (1st prize), St. O’Conor and Brian Shanahan, which was funded Michael’s National School, Woodbrook (2nd prize) by the Heritage Council and Roscommon County and Lisaniskey National School (3rd prize). Council, was launched by Richard Collins.
Notice Nature Biodiversity Rindoon Castle Marquee Clearance of vegetation at the interior of Rindoon County Roscommon Heritage Forum presented Castle, which was funded by the Heritage Council the Notice Nature Biodiversity Marquee at the and the County Council, was carried out to Family Fun Day in Loughnaneane Park as part of facilitate a more detailed condition survey of the Roscommon Lamb Festival. castle.
Annual Report 2018 13 Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Celebrating National Heritage Week and 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage National Heritage Week National Heritage Week took place from 18th to 26th August. This year, in celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, the theme was “Share a Story, Make a Connection”. Over 50 events took place around the county.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme Under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), which was funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, emergency conservation works to the value of €100,000 were European Year of Cultural carried out to eight protected structures. Heritage 2018 was European Year of Cultural Heritage, a year of events, activities and celebrations all around Europe to get people interested and involved in cultural heritage. The theme for the Year in Ireland was ‘Make a Connection’. This theme aimed to deepen the connection between people and heritage and build a legacy of increased public engagement. Two specific projects were carried out, with Creative Ireland Funding, to mark the year - a schools’ project and a social media project. The schools project reached over 800 children around the county. This, combined with the twenty family heritage prizes should generate a legacy of interest, pride and awareness of the heritage of Roscommon amongst the children who took part in the project. The social media project achieved over 20,000 views on Facebook. An awards ceremony took place in Áras an Chontae, Roscommon in November where the twenty prize Built Heritage Investment Scheme – winners from the Schools Heritage project and the Conserving our Historic Buildings four prize winners from the Social Media Project were presented with their prizes.
Structures at Risk Fund National Biodiversity Action Plan Under the Structures at Risk Fund, which was €8,600 funding was sanctioned for three funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage biodiversity projects in the county, workshops and the Gaeltacht, emergency conservation works for schools participating in the Green Schools to the value of €92,404.75 were carried out to four Biodiversity Flag programme and a contribution protected structures in the county. towards a national publication on Swifts.
Heritage Office News World Wetlands Day The Heritage Office News email mailing list is a Roscommon celebrated this year’s World Wetlands highly effective means of disseminating heritage Day with a nature walk from Castlecoote Village news and information. The mailing list has over to Black’s Lake in conjunction with Castlecoote 400 email contacts and over 135 ‘Heritage Office Tidy Towns and The National Parks and Wildlife News’ mails were circulated in 2018. Services.
14 Roscommon County Council Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Tourism Upper Shannon Erne Future Economy (USEFE) Project Roscommon Tourism As part of the USEFE Tourism project, working Statement of Strategy and with Waterways Ireland, Longford, Cavan and Work Programme 2017-2022. Leitrim County Councils, there was a focus on developing angling tourism within the region. This During 2017 Roscommon County Council adopted included the hosting of angling trade workshops the Roscommon Tourism Statement of Strategy and an investment in the attendance at angling and Work Programme 2017–2022. This Strategy trade events. sets out the tourism priorities within the county over a five-year period. It has a clear focus on Lough Ree/Mid Shannon tourism priorities within the county, enabling private sector investment and supporting key As part of the inter-agency development of the initiatives that provide sustainable benefits for region from Athlone to Rooskey, Roscommon the county, both socially and economically. County Council is committed to the development The strategy identifies the strengths of tourism of inter-agency projects which increase the within the county being primarily in water-based tourism potential of the Lough Ree region, experiences, our heritage and our communities. including walking and cycle routes. This regional approach will enable optimal access to funding As part of this strategy the County Council and mirror the development of the new Fáilte developed a Tourism Marketing/Development Ireland theme ‘Irelands Hidden Heartlands’. Fund to resource the marketing and promotion of tourism, which is co-ordinating and overseen Destination Athlone by the Roscommon Country Tourism Network. This network consists of representatives from the Roscommon County Council continues to be a county’s large attractions, large hotels, elected partner in ‘Destination Athlone’ and contribute representative and community tourism co- an update towards www.athlone.ie to promote operative. These partnerships between private tourism. and public sector will strengthen the reach of the Council’s marketing and maximise its potential Launch Beara Breifne Way audience. Heritage Stamps Trade Expo Events The Beara Breifne Way is the longest walking trail in Ireland at over 500km. Involving over sixty community During 2018 Roscommon Tourism attended groups from the Beara Peninsula in Co. Cork to ten Trade Expo Events to show case County Blacklion in Co. Cavan, the Beara Breifne Way project Roscommon to potential domestic tourists. These is the largest community based project undertaken included events such as the Holiday World Show, in the country, involving twelve local walking trails Bloom and The National Ploughing Championship. in ten counties. In April 2018 Roscommon County Council hosted the launch of the Beara Breifne Way Social Media Stamps by Minister Ring. Each community received their unique heritage stamps which can be availed of Roscommon County Council has increased its by walkers along the entire trail. social media presence by 19% of Roscommon Tourism in 2018, through the development of a Ireland West Airport Knock social media page - Roscommon.ie. This page provides links to all tourism attractions within the In November 2018, Minister Michael Ring opened county and also provides up to date information the new Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) on upcoming events. arrivals area. The construction of a new innovative and state of the art Visitor Discovery Centre was a collaboration with seven local authorities including Roscommon County Council and is the first of its kind at any airport in the country. As part of this development a new Ireland West brochure was also published, which showcases the very best of what the West and North-West counties have to offer the tourist.
Annual Report 2018 15 Community and Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Arts, Heritage and Tourism
Ireland Hidden Heartlands campaign heavily featured County Roscommon and further marketing and investment is planned Fáilte Ireland launched the fourth national tourism over the coming five years. theme ‘Ireland Hidden Heartlands’ in April 2018. This theme will explore the green heartlands of The launch of ‘Irelands Hidden Heartlands’ during Ireland’s natural rural beauty where activity and 2018 gives Roscommon an additional platform to relaxation are centred around rural communities market its tourist attractions under the umbrella and their lifestyles, that can be discovered across of Fáilte Ireland. a lattice work of land and water trails showcased by the iconic River Shannon and the Beara Breifne Festival and Events Scheme Way. 2018 The region encompasses the counties of Leitrim, In January 2018 Roscommon County Council Roscommon and Longford as well as parts of issued an open call to all communities for the Clare, Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary, Galway, newly established Festival and Events Scheme. A and Offaly. The marketing campaign for ‘Ireland total of twenty-nine applications were approved Hidden Heartlands’ was launched to the domestic for events, which took place during 2018. market in summer 2018. The initial marketing
Local Enterprise Office The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) acts as a ‘First Stop Shop’ for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business. The role of LEO Roscommon is to drive the development of local enterprise, putting local micro and small business at the heart of job creation. LEO supports business start–ups and works to increase the job potential of new LEO Marquee at the Roscommon Lamb Festival and existing micro and small businesses with information, advice, training, mentoring, seminars had a strong focus on getting businesses Brexit and selective financial support. ready in 2018 and provided Brexit mentoring to twenty-one clients. Roscommon LEO also 2018 was a very productive year for LEO delivered a very successful “Going North” Roscommon. 80 jobs were created as a direct programme to assist client businesses to identify result of grants approved and increases in customers in Northern Ireland and to take the first existing businesses employing additional staff steps to becoming exporters. The Ireland West in County Roscommon. Over 1,600 enquiries Trade initiative has also continued to support were dealt with in Roscommon and 2018 saw clients exporting to North America. an increase in participants in training courses, mentoring assignments and mentoring clinics. The Economic Development section continues to All of these supports were promoted to, made excel in customer care and aims to build on this available for and tailored specifically towards the and continue to deliver high quality and varied needs of small, micro and start-up businesses in services and supports to its ever expanding Roscommon. customer and client bases throughout County Roscommon. Engagement with Enterprise Ireland LEO engages with second level schools and the IDA continued throughout 2018 looking and primary schools to sow the seed of for inward investment. Roscommon County entrepreneurship at a local, county and national Council purchased a unit in Monksland and this level. unit will be developed into an Innovation Hub for Dedicated programmes which included ‘Food micro and small businesses to set up and grow in Academy’ and ‘Lean for Micro’ were designed and the area. Industrial sites in Roscommon town are run to support target groups. LEO Roscommon attracting investors into the region.
16 Roscommon County Council Corporate Services
The functions of the Corporate Services Department include support services to Council Management; organising and servicing meetings of the Council and its sub-committees; register of electors; insurances; property management; safety, health and welfare at work; facilities management; co-ordination of the Creative Ireland Programme; veterinary functions; dog control services; civic receptions; events; customer services; customer complaints; freedom of information and data protection. Creative Ireland Programme 2018-2022 The Creative Ireland Programme is the Some of the special Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 initiatives delivered to – a five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which date in 2018 as part of places creativity at the centre of public policy and the Culture and Creativity aims to foster creativity and engagement primarily Strategy 2018 - 2022 in culture and arts for all citizens of the country. include the Cathaoirleach’s The core operating principles are collaboration Creative Citizenship Award, and communication, community empowerment the Roscommon Anthology and internationalisation. of Contemporary Writing 2014-2018, the International On 12th September 2018, An Taoiseach Leo Fibre Arts Exhibition, the Varadkar TD was joined by Minister for Culture, Douglas Hyde Conference Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan and Vóáil 100. TD and Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy TD for the launch In 2018 Roscommon of Roscommon County Council’s Culture and County Council received € Creativity Strategy 2018 - 2022, as part of the an allocation of 111,000 Roscommon County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme. The launch took – €79,000 from the Culture and Creativity Strategy place at the Irish Architectural Archive, Merrion Department of Culture, 2018-2022 Square, Dublin. Heritage and the Gaeltacht and €32,000 from the Department of Housing, This ambitious and innovative five-year Culture Planning and Local Government. The funding and Creativity Strategy was developed by the facilitated the promotion of the Creative Ireland Roscommon Culture Team and local Creative Programme and allowed for the implementation Ireland Programme coordinator, in consultation of the Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022. with local artists, creatives, cultural and heritage organisations, community groups, the creative industries, centres of education and schools. This strategy aims to provide meaningful opportunities for citizens and local communities, together with Roscommon County Council, to nurture, sustain and facilitate participation in cultural and creative activities.
Annual Report 2018 17 Corporate Services
Table 1 Register of Electors
Dáil Constituency Presidential Electors Dáil Electors
Roscommon - Galway Constituency Electors 46,375 (Presidential) 48,106 (Dáil)
Midlands - North – West European Parliament Constituency Electors 48,235
Local Electoral Areas Electors 49,417
Athlone Local Electoral Area 14,783
Boyle Local Electoral Area 17,739
Roscommon Local Electoral Area 16,895
Register of Electors The Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010 requires premises to apply to be included on Under the Electoral Act 1992, 1997 and Electoral the Local Authority Register of Dog Breeding (Amendment) Act 2001, two versions of the Establishments. There were two establishments Register – the Edited Register and the Full Register on Roscommon County Council’s register at the came into force on 15th February 2018. end of 2018. Veterinary Functions Dangerous Structures and Roscommon County Council operates a service Derelict Sites contract with the Food Safety Authority of Dangerous places and structures are governed Ireland F.S.A.I., to oversee food safety in nine by primary legislation, the Local Government slaughterhouses and six stand-alone meat (Sanitary Services) Act 1964. A dangerous place manufacturing plants. The supervision of slaughter means an excavation, quarry, pit or well that is is carried out by Roscommon County Council’s or is likely to be dangerous to any person. A Veterinary Officer and Temporary Veterinary dangerous structure means any buildings, wall or Inspectors. All animals are inspected ante- other structure of any kind that is or is likely to be mortem and post-mortem to ensure the meat dangerous to any person or property. is fit for human consumption. Traceability of all animals is also verified. In 2018, 3,147 cattle, 8,037 The Derelict Site Act 1990 places a general duty on sheep and 256 pigs were slaughtered in local owners and occupiers of land including statutory authority supervised slaughterhouses in County bodies and State Authorities to prevent land from Roscommon. becoming or from continuing to be a derelict site. There were eight derelict sites on the Derelict Site Dog Control Services Register as at 31st December 2018. Under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, responsibility for the control of dogs within the county is undertaken by Midland Animal Care under a service contract with Roscommon County Council.
Dog owners are required by law to have a current dog licence. In July 2018, the National Dog Register was introduced by An Post enabling online purchasing of dog licences. Licences can also be purchased from any Post Office. In 2018 expenditure on Dog Control Services amounted to over €187,127.54 while the total income in respect of licences and fees was €59,139.79.
18 Roscommon County Council Corporate Services
Receptions and Events Roscommon County Council is proud to host receptions, events and awards ceremonies for persons in its administrative area who have distinguished themselves and brought pride and honour to their community through their achievements. Citizens may be nominated by Members of Roscommon County Council. The Council also, as the occasion arises, hosts civic receptions for visiting dignitaries to the area and hosts events at Áras an Chontae to mark specific occasions.
Freedom of the County The Civic Honour of Freedom of the Administrative Area of County Roscommon was awarded to the artist Mr. Brian O’Doherty at an award ceremony which took place on 26th April at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin.
Cathaoirleach’s Creative Overall winners of the Cathaoirleach’s Creative Citizenship Award L to R Councillor Orla Leyden, Cathaoirleach, Cormac Citizenship Award Fleming, Diarmuid Fleming, Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive The inaugural Cathaoirleach’s Creative Citizenship Award was held on 14th June. This Visit of Chinese Ambassador award, which was open to amateurs, aims to Roscommon to highlight the diversity of arts, culture and heritage in County Roscommon. The theme Councillor Ivan Connaughton, Cathaoirleach, for 2018 was ‘My Roscommon’ communicated and Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive, hosted through the creative mediums of Written (poetry, a reception at Áras an Chontae for the Chinese prose or short story); Visual (any medium such Ambassador H.E. Dr. YUE Xiaoyong when the as painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, Ambassador visited the county on Monday 24th photography, film, video or other digital imaging September. During his visit the Ambassador also media) and Performing Arts (music, song, dance, took the opportunity to visit places of interest and theatre). in the county including the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulsk and Strokestown Park House. Twinning Visit to China A delegation representing Roscommon County Council travelled to China in September to meet with the Henan and Shanxi Provinces with a view to establishing a friendly relationship and enhance mutual understanding between the two communities with a view to carrying out exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, culture, tourism that would be of mutual benefit.
Chinese Ambassador H.E. Dr. YUE Xiaoyong, Councillor Ivan Connaughton, Cathaoirleach, and Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive
Annual Report 2018 19 Corporate Services
Councillor Ivan Connaughton, Civic Reception November 2018 - Kiltoom Cam Under-12 Cathaoirleach, with Harmac CEO and Talent Group—Drama/Comedy. Front row L to R: Grace President John Somers at the conferring Brosnan, Jan Daly, Anna Rose Henshaw, Olivia Meares, Katie of the Distinguished Fellowship award Meeley, Emma Rowan Back Row: Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive and Councillor Ivan Connaughton, Cathaoirleach Distinguished Fellowship Civic Reception On Thursday, 4th October, Athlone Institute of At a Civic Reception which took place on 30th Technology conferred a Distinguished Fellowship November, eleven individuals and two groups award on John Somers, CEO and President of were honoured for their success on the national Harmac Medical Products in a special ceremony and, in some cases, the international stage. This in the Council Chamber at Áras an Chontae. This event provides an opportunity to celebrate the award is the institute’s greatest academic honour diversity of talents, dedication and enthusiasm and is bestowed on individuals who, through which lead to the excellent achievements of the active leadership or scholarly pursuits, have made recipients in the arena of sport, music, drama and significant contributions to Ireland, the midlands education and science. region and, indeed, their local communities.
Through the conferring of the Distinguished Fellowship, Mr. Somers, who has a notable record of achievement in business, has been granted life- long membership of the institute, with whom he has established a close relationship.
Delegation from China A delegation from the Henan Provincial Peoples Government visited the county on 26th October accompanied by Mr. Mark Zhang of Ireland China Friendship Association in Dublin. As part of the visit, the delegation visited Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Kilronan Castle and the Arigna Mining Experience.
Civic Reception November 2018 - First place in Ireland in the Junior Certificate for Technical Graphics and Metalwork Glenn Gilmartin icturedp with Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive and Councillor Ivan Connaughton, Cathaoirleach
20 Roscommon County Council Corporate Services
Events Dermot Earley Bursary The following events were hosted by Roscommon Roscommon County Council established an annual County Council at Áras an Chontae: sports bursary in honour of the late Dermot Earley. The scholarships afford financial assistance to gg Launch of Roscommon Drama Festival; successful candidates from County Roscommon gg ‘Art School Takeover’ – an exhibition of and attending their first year in third-level education sculptures and drawings by the students of with an accomplished background in sport. The Tisrara National School; winners for the academic year 2018/2019 were gg ‘A Celtic Past’ an exhibition of ceramics and Niamh Shanagher and Peter Gillooly. prints inspired by Celtic art of the past by students from Roscommon Community Social Media College; gg International Tapestry Festival; The use of corporate social media accounts enhances and improves communication and gg Launch of the Rindoon Guidebook; contributes to the promotion and awareness of gg The launch of County Roscommon the Council. Social media allows the Council to Intercultural Project; expand its communications network, disseminate gg Disability and Age Friendly training event; information in an efficient manner and to engage gg Launch of ‘Ballintober Old Graveyard and more effectively with the public the Grave Memorials of County Roscommon’ – Mary B. Timoney; Freedom of Information gg Heritage in Schools awards; (FOI) gg Launch of Rural Housing Guidelines; Roscommon County Council received 125 FOI gg Environment Awards; requests in 2018. A breakdown of the outcome of gg Launch of ‘Roscommon: History and Society. these requests is outlined in the table below. Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish county’ (Richie Farrell, Dr Kieran Table 2 Freedom of Information O’Connor and Dr Matthew Potter, editors). No. of requests undetermined at 1st 3 January 2018
No. of requests received during 2018 125
No. of requests granted 89
No. of requests part-granted 15
No. of requests refused 19
No. of requests transferred, withdrawn or dealt with outside of Freedom of 1 Information
No. of requests undetermined at 31st 4 December 2018 Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive and Willie Nolan, Geography Publications, at the launch of ‘Roscommon: History and Society. Interdisciplinary essays on the history of an Irish county’
Annual Report 2018 21 Corporate Services
Data Protection The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Data Protection Policy, Data Subject Rights Policy which came into effect on 25th May 2018 and and Procedures, Subject Access Requests Policy the Data Protection Act 2018 impose obligations and Procedures, Personal Data Breach Policy and on Roscommon County Council to protect all Procedures, Corporate CCTV Policy and a range personal data under its control. Consequently, of Privacy Statements for each Department/ the Council developed a considerable number of Business Unit of the Council. Work will continue policies, procedures and practices in 2018 in order on an on-going basis on the further development to discharge its data protection responsibilities. and consolidation of data protection processes. These included the development of a Corporate
Health and Safety The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 requires employers, their representative management and employees alike to consider health and safety as a joint responsibility. The 2018 Work Programme included:
gg Continual monitoring of the Safety Management System by the Health and Safety Officers by completing ongoing inspections on works completed by Direct Labour and Client Inspections; gg Awarded the OHSAS 18001 (formal Safety Management System) Certification for the Fire Services. This involved development of all existing safety documentation and procedures and a great level of cooperation from all fire services staff; gg Development and revision of the Council’s existing safety management system NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) Occupational Health and Safety Management System Award – January 2018 documentation; gg Ongoing monitoring of Fire Safety programme; gg Continued development of the Manual gg Development and delivery of an Handling and Health and Safety Induction Occupational Health and Welfare training programmes and delivery of such programme through the provision of health training; screening for all staff; gg Development of Event Safety Procedures; gg Attendance at regional and national health gg Development and achievement of a and safety meetings; Gold Standard White Flag award with gg Continual co-operation with external parties Roscommon Leisure Centre; such as the Health and Safety Authority and gg Continued compliance with regard to the Irish Water; statutory duty for third party inspections of gg Monitoring of existing contractor control Council owned lifting equipment and work procedures; equipment. gg Continuous improvement in our communication and cooperation process, for example Safety Management Committee meetings, Municipal District Coordinator meetings and liaison with Safety Representatives;
22 Roscommon County Council Assets and Energy Management
The Assets and Energy Management Department including Public Lighting operates under the Directorate of Governance and Corporate Affairs with responsibility in a number of specific areas.
Assets Public Lighting The overall primary purpose is to manage and Roscommon County Council entered into a record all assets of the Council including buildings, contract with Energia for the unmetered supply land, houses, etc. in a consolidated Asset Register and Airtricity for the metered supply of energy to and comply with the Council’s associated statutory illuminate the public lighting network throughout reporting obligations. To date, all buildings and the county. lands owned by the Council together with the The Council, in conjunction with the other local total number of social housing stock have been authorities in the Connaught region, entered into forwarded to the Office of Public Works (OPW) a Regional Maintenance Contract in 2015 with for inclusion in the National Property Register. Electric Skyline Limited for the general repairs Roscommon County Council is also a member of to the system resulting in competitive rates for and contributor to the National Property Interest the maintenance and repair of the public lighting Register Working Group which aims to achieve a inventory. standardised inventory of all public body assets Based on a Public Lighting Survey carried out in on a national basis. 2016 and also the commencement of National Public Lighting upgrades to LED, works were Energy carried out by the Council at a number of locations throughout the county in 2018 including Circular The primary function is to facilitate the Council’s Road and Athlone Road, Roscommon Town and role as a public body to achieve a target of 33% the villages of Tulsk and Frenchpark. It is hoped energy efficiency improvement by 2020 in the that further upgrades, funded by Transport context of Ireland’s EU and National commitments Infrastructure Ireland (TII), will be carried out in and wider climate change goals and comply with 2019 and in further years. the Council’s associated statutory reporting Additionally, the LED retrofit of Ballaghaderreen obligations. Bypass (N5) and Boyle and Erris Junctions (N4), The Public Sector Energy Partnership Agreement as part of the North West Bypasses Lighting was signed on 25th April 2016 as a joint obligation Project, was carried out. between Roscommon County Council and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in achieving this target with appropriate mentoring Declaration in accordance and training put in place to assist this programme. with S.I. 542 of 2009 As part of the Energy Monitoring and Reporting obligation all data for 2017 energy usage was Overview of Energy Usage submitted by April, 2018. Roscommon County In 2018, Roscommon County Council spent Council is currently at a reduction of 22.8% of approximately €1.43m on energy-related charges the targeted 33% energy efficiency improvement with the main categories consisting of: required by 2020. Work continues on targeting the primary energy users of the Council which include gg Public Lighting energy and maintenance primarily public lighting energy costs, electricity charges; usage and transport fuel with a view to achieving gg Electricity charges for lighting and space further energy efficiency improvements. heating; gg Transport fuel.
Annual Report 2018 23 Assets and Energy Management
LED Retrofit of Ballaghaderreen Bypass/Junction
Actions Undertaken Altogether, these and other energy saving measures are contributing to significant annual Since 2010 Roscommon County Council has energy-related savings for the Council with a undertaken a range of initiatives to improve its current (2017) 22.8% energy reduction based on energy performance, including: 2009 baseline with a view to achieving a target gg Energy related training; of 33% by 2020. g g Awareness campaigns; Actions Planned gg Driver training; In 2019 and beyond, Roscommon County gg Consolidation of various offices in Council intends to further improve its energy Roscommon town into a single purpose- performance by undertaking the following built Civic Headquarters with consequent initiatives: energy saving benefits. gg Multi-annual Energy Action Plan; In 2018 Roscommon County Council undertook gg Monitoring and energy audits of significant a range of initiatives to improve its energy energy users with consequent upgrade performance including energy efficiency works, as resources allow; measures to: gg Awareness campaigns involving all staff; gg Roscommon Library Headquarters – gg LED upgrades to existing public lighting secondary glazing and retrofit of all stock to National Primary and Secondary internal/external light fittings to LED; Roads and Local Roads. Roscommon gg Roscommon Leisure Centre - retrofit of all County Council has signed up as internal/external light fittings to LED; participants in the National Local Authority gg Roscommon Arts Centre - retrofit of all Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project internal/external light fittings to LED; coordinated by the Road Management gg LED retrofit of Public Lighting on Circular Office (RMO) which is due to commence in Road and Athlone Road, Roscommon Town 2020. and the villages of Tulsk and Frenchpark; gg LED retrofit of Public Lighting on Ballaghaderreen Bypass (N5) and Boyle and Erris Junctions (N4) as part of the North West Bypasses Lighting Project.
24 Roscommon County Council Emergency Services Fire Service, Emergency Management, Building Control and Civil Defence
Fire Services and Fire Service Operations Emergency Management There was a reduction of almost 20% in the number of emergency incidents (347) in County Roscommon County Council provides a range Roscommon in 2018 when compared to 2017. A of fire safety, enforcement and emergency significant reduction in the number of seasonal management services and manages the delivery bog/gorse fires during 2018 contributed to a of a 24-hour emergency fire and rescue service reduced demand for the Fire Brigade services for County Roscommon. Fire Service operations during the year. are delivered through an NSAI accredited OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Roscommon County Council Fire Station crews Management System. were mobilised 267 times to emergency incidents during 2018. This includes seventeen calls into Roscommon Fire Service is involved in promoting County Galway and one each into Counties Mayo community fire safety throughout the year. Fire and Sligo. Service personnel facilitated school and group visits to local fire stations and requests from The Fire Service operates a third party accredited voluntary groups to provided fire safety talks. Safety Management System to OHSAS:18000 standards. All fire personnel are provided with a Roscommon Fire Service provides advice to the comprehensive annual training programme. As courts on matters relating to licensing under the part of the 2018 training programme the crew intoxicating liquor, public dance halls, lottery of Boyle Fire Station were selected to complete licence and club registration legislation on an additional specialist training in Swift Water Rescue annual basis. in order to service the potential risks resulting in The Fire Service also carries out inspections under increased use of the many waterways of north the Fire Services Acts 1981-2003 and monitors County Roscommon. and enforces fire safety under other relevant legislation including the dangerous substances and explosives legislation and large crowd events.
The Fire and Civil Protection Unit also facilitate the preparation of the Major Emergency Plan and associated response by Roscommon County Council in cooperation with other response agencies (Gardaí and HSE Ambulance Service).
Swift Water Rescue Team Training
Annual Report 2018 25 Emergency Services
Delivery of a new Class B Water Tender Fire Engine to Boyle Fire Station
Fire Service Capital Community and Enterprise Equipment and Fire Safety Infrastructure Roscommon Fire Service facilitated a range of community fire safety talks and presentations A programme of fire station improvements works and welcomed many schools to its fire stations continued during 2018. Renovation works were during 2018. completed at Ballaghaderreen, Boyle and Castlerea Fire Stations. Boyle Fire Station also took delivery Fire safety inspections were carried out on a range of a new Class B Water Tender to the value of of premises types including license premises, €320,000 which was 100% funded by the National residential care facilities, pre-schools, community Directorate for Fire and Emergency Planning at centres, petrol stations and other commercial the Department of Housing, Planning and Local enterprises. The significant building investments Government. Sidhean Teo also commenced made by County Roscommon enterprises during manufacture of another Class B Fire Engine for the year would not have commenced successfully delivery to Roscommon Town Brigade in 2019. without the advice and scrutiny of the Fire Service and Building Control Department.
Fire crews after night time gorse fire on Kilronan Mountain above Keadue Village
26 Roscommon County Council Emergency Services
Civil Defence The Roscommon Civil Defence Development Plan 2017–2019 sets out Roscommon County Council’s strategic objectives for Civil Defence. This plan identifies the various programmes and activities of the Civil Defence Services Unit and how its volunteers will continue to support communities and organisations in County Roscommon. Roscommon Civil Defence volunteers undertook thirty-eight training events in missing persons search, communications, radiation sampling, drone operations, Cardiac First Responder (CFR), First Aid and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) during 2018.
Civil Defence volunteers assisted at 128 community and sporting events providing medical support Civil Defence carrying out Search and Rescue Training and, at waterways, search and rescues of missing persons. The important resources provided by Roscommon Civil Defence in the searching, rescue The Civil Defence also took delivery of a new and recovery of missing persons was enhanced Citroen Relay van which was capital funded with the procurement of specialist equipment such by the Department of Rural and Community as drones and mapping software and associated Development under its CLÁR 2018 funding training. The volunteers were also part of the programme. It is planned that this vehicle will be regional Civil Defence resources which provided used to support the increasing number of missing medical cover during the Papal visit to Knock in persons searches that have become a significant 2018. part of the Civil Defence role.
Civil Defence at Roscommon Racecourse
Annual Report 2018 27 Emergency Services
Building Control Roscommon County Council is the statutory gg Marketing of Construction Products in Building Control Authority for County Roscommon line with European Union (Construction and administers the Building Control System Product) Regulations 2013 (SI No. 225 of for new building construction work. This aims 2013); Appendix I; to ensure the safety of people within the built gg Building Energy Rating Certificates environment and is centred on the Building for buildings in line with the European Control Acts 1990 to 2014 which provides for Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) the making of Building Regulations and Building Regulations 2012 (SI No. 243 of 2012); Control Regulations. Appendix II; The Building Control Regulations 1997 – 2015 gg Registration of multi-storey buildings for the (BCRs) provide for matters of procedure, purposes of the Local Government (Multi- administration and control for the purposes of storey Buildings) Act 1988. securing the implementation of and compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. Roscommon County Council received a total of Building Control Regulations apply generally to 210 valid Commencement Notices, 24 applications the design and construction of new buildings and for Disability Access Certificates and 37 Fire Safety to existing buildings which undergo an extension, Certificates during 2018. An inspection rate of over material alteration or a material change of use. 16% of new builds was achieved by the Building Control Officer. The level of one-off dwelling In addition to Roscommon County Council’s houses ‘opting out’ of the opportunity to register statutory function under the Building Control a Certificate of Compliance on Completion with Acts, the local authority is also the designated the Building Control Authority is high at 107 (51% enforcement authority for the purposes of of all commencement notices). ensuring compliance with other legislation as follows:
28 Roscommon County Council Development IncentivesTitle andHere Control
This programme covers the following functions of the Planning Department under the Planning and Development Acts:
1. Development Management – the Council’s regulatory role in relation to its planning function. Key areas of work include the planning application process, declarations on exempt development and protected structures and certificates under Part V; 2. Planning Enforcement – the taking of enforcement action against persons engaged in unauthorised development and unfinished housing developments; 3. Forward Planning – the policy role of the Council’s planning function. It includes the making and adoption of Plans, and undertaking a range of work in response to national policy initiatives. Development Management Table 1 Planning Applications 2013-2018
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Applications Received 576 508 453 511 526 6651 Decisions to Grant 402 323 275 333 340 433 Decisions to Refuse 32 34 43 33 32 34 Refusal Rate 10.5% 10% 9.5% 9% 8.6% 7.8% Number of Appeals 11 8 9 7 16 13 Appeals upheld by An Bord Pleanála 8 6 5 41 72 53
1 Includes valid and invalid planning applications; excludes S.42 Extension of Duration applications and Roscommon County Council Part 8 development proposals. 2 Figures for 2013 – 2017 are as per previous Annual Reports and reflect the number of decisions upheld at the time of Annual Report preparation. Decisions were awaited from An Bord Pleanala on a number of files at that time. 3 10 of the 13 appealed decisions have been determined to date. Decisions are awaited on the remaining 3 cases.
Annual Report 2018 29 Development Incentives and Control
Planning Enforcement Planning enforcement encompasses enforcement activity, resolution of unfinished housing developments and collection of development contributions.
Enforcement Action It is an offence to carry out unauthorised development. The information below reflects the various stages of enforcement activity pursued in 2018 in relation to alleged unauthorised development, in accordance with Part VIII of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended):
Table 2 Enforcement Actions Taken 2018
Warning Letter Roscommon County Council served 14 Warning Letters
Enforcement Notice Roscommon County Council served 4 Enforcement Notices
Legal Action Legal action was initiated by the Council in 2 enforcement cases
Resolving Unfinished Housing Developments There were approximately 166 housing developments in County Roscommon which had not been taken in charge in 2018, with the majority of those being unfinished to some degree. The Unfinished Housing Developments team has been working to resolve the unfinished housing developments in the county in a number ways including:
gg Engaging with relevant parties to agree and implement site resolution plans, resulting in works resuming in several developments. gg Continued use of the Framework for the Provision of Consultant Civil Engineering Services on Unfinished Housing Development Site Resolution Projects4 as a procurement mechanism. The Framework resulted in works contracts being awarded in relation to three developments.
Overall, there has been a significant increase in development activity in unfinished housing developments in 2018, including a range of site resolution works being undertaken by developers, contractors engaged by bondholders, contractors engaged under Roscommon County Council’s framework, and also by semi- skilled workers employed directly by Roscommon County Council. Four housing developments were taken in charge in 2018 in Boyle, Ballaghaderreen, Cortober and Cloonfad.
Collecting Development Contributions Development Contributions are levied on planning applications in accordance with the adopted Development Contribution Scheme 2014.
Table 3 Development Contributions 2017 and 2018
Development Contribution Scheme 2017 2018
Contributions invoiced €701,197 €647,3455
Contributions received €986,945 €810,226
4 The Framework was established in 2015 5 Invoice figure does not account for write offs
30 Roscommon County Council Development Incentives and Control
Forward Planning Following the finalisation of the National consideration of submissions received in response Planning Framework (NPF) by the Department to the notices, a total of 30 sites were identified of Housing, Planning and Local Government for inclusion on the Register, and the majority of (DHPLG), Regional Assemblies commenced the formal notifications of inclusion issued in mid-2018. preparation of Regional Spatial and Economic The valuation process commenced in July, with Strategies (RSES). Roscommon County Council valuations being undertaken by the appointed engaged in the process during the year, providing Valuer, with formal notifications of the valuations detailed comment on working iterations of the issuing thereafter, and inclusion of the valuations RSES circulated by the Northern and Western on the Vacant Sites Register. Regional Assembly. Dialogue also took place Roscommon County Council’s Vacant Homes with Westmeath County Council in relation to the Action Plan was finalised in in the first quarter of shared expectations and vision of both authorities 2018. The plan focuses on the main settlements for Athlone, as a regional centre. in the county and identifies a number of actions Further to the joint commissioning, by Westmeath to be pursued in resolving the issue of vacant and Roscommon County Council’s in 2017, homes. Following on from that, and aided by of consultants to prepare the Athlone Joint partial funding from the DHPLG, the Vacant Retail Strategy (AJRS), the Draft Strategy was Homes Office was established in the Planning completed in 2018 and a programme of work was Section in the third quarter of 2018. Survey work identified to facilitate the adoption of the Strategy, and investigations were undertaken to locate and consisting of variations to the relevant plans of quantify vacant homes, and to identify the owners both authorities. A joint meeting of Athlone of such properties. Communications were initiated Municipal District Members from Westmeath with owners, with a view to encouraging owners and Roscommon County Council’s was held in to explore initiatives to bring their properties back December to discuss the Draft AJRS, and also to into use. discuss other issues of common interest in relation Roscommon County Council’s Forward Planning to the future development of Athlone. Section produced the County Roscommon Rural Work continued in 2018 on the implementation Design Guidelines in the first quarter of 2018. of the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and The Guidelines are an informative companion Housing Act 2015, specifically relating to the document, giving expression to the design Vacant Site Levy. 175 candidate sites were initially principles already set out in in the Roscommon identified for potential inclusion on the Vacant County Development Plan. Briefing sessions were Sites Register. Notices of Proposed Entry on the held for Elected Members and planning agents, in Vacant Sites Register issued to approximately 260 advance of the formal launch of the Guidelines. site owners in the first quarter of 2018. Following
Annual Report 2018 31 Environmental Protection
Roscommon County Council Environment Department covers a diverse range of functions and services. The principal areas are: gg Pollution control and water quality management gg Waste management and enforcement gg Landfill management gg Civic amenity site and bring bank management gg Litter management gg Environmental awareness gg Laboratory. Pollution Control and Water Quality Management Pollution control legislation covers areas such as water Launch by Minister Denis Naughton of the Regional Anti-Dumping pollution, air pollution, nuisance and noise. Specific Awareness Campaign 2018. activities undertaken in relation to pollution control include investigation of water pollution instances, licensing and monitoring of discharges to waters Connaught-Ulster Waste and sewers, licensing emissions to air, monitoring Enforcement Regional Lead drinking water, urban wastewater treatment plant performance and monitoring of rivers and lakes. Authorities (CUWERLA) A workshop was held in 2016 with the Catchment The Environment Department continued to engage Management Unit of the EPA to characterise the with CUWERLA. A Multi Agency checkpoint was status of catchments in County Roscommon in carried out in November 2018. While no breaches accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Six of environmental legislation were detected, it water bodies have been prioritised in Roscommon proved a useful exercise to show Enforcement for further action in the current cycle of the Water Staff on the ground checking for illegal movement Framework Directive (WDF) programme. The Local of waste. Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) Catchment Assessment Team has started work on the Clooneigh Regional Anti-Dumping catchment. Awareness Campaign Waste Management and The launch, by Minister Denis Naughton, of the Enforcement Regional Anti-Dumping Awareness Campaign was held in Aras an Chontae on 22nd June 2018. This A grant of €136,373 was allocated to Roscommon event was attended by all Local Authorities in the County Council from the Environment Fund to CUWERLA Region. support dedicated and measurable enforcement initiatives. The Enforcement Unit continues to operate and this has resulted in a significant increase in enforcement of the Waste Management and Water Pollution Acts.
32 Roscommon County Council 2018 Anti-Dumping Initiative thirty-five sites were required to be inspected by Roscommon County Council in 2018. A total of The Anti-Dumping Initiative was announced thirty-seven inspections were completed in 2018. by Minister Denis Naughton in February 2018. Twenty-seven (73%) of systems inspected failed Fifteen projects were submitted to CUWERLA to meet the criteria set out in the Regulations. for inclusion. These projects included a number of clean ups, purchase of equipment and development of an awareness campaign. A grant Landfill Management in the amount of €53,000 was received for this Roscommon County Council continues to monitor initiative. and maintain two closed licensed landfills at Ballaghaderreen and Roscommon. Mattress Amnesty A Mattress Amnesty was announced by Denis Recycling Centres Naughton, Minister for Communications, Climate Roscommon County Council continues to Action and Environment. Collection dates were operate four Recycling Centres located at Boyle, organised at Civic Amenity Sites at Roscommon, Roscommon, Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea. Boyle and Castlerea in June 2018. Over 900 There are thirty-nine bottle banks located mattresses were collected at a cost of €19,193 throughout the County with textile banks located which was recouped from the Department. at twenty-nine of these sites.
Connacht-Ulster Waste Region National Litter Pollution Roscommon is part of the Connacht-Ulster Region Monitoring System in terms of managing waste. The Connacht- The Litter Pollution Monitoring System provides an Ulster Waste Plan 2015-2021 was published in accurate picture of litter pollution countrywide and May 2015. This is the first waste plan to cover the accurately measures changes over time. The system geographical area of the Connacht-Ulster Region. was developed by the Department and Tobin The region appointed Mayo County Council, as Consulting Engineers in consultation with local the regional lead, to act on behalf of the other authorities. Under the system Roscommon County authorities with responsibility for the successful Council carried out twenty-four Quantification implementation of the plan. In addition, Waste Surveys and eighty-two Litter Pollution Surveys. Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA) These were forwarded to Tobin Engineering for were selected in each region. Leitrim and Donegal analysis and report. County Council are the joint lead authorities for Connacht-Ulster. This Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority has responsibility for Noise Action Plan coordinating waste enforcement actions within the Roscommon County Council prepared a Draft Connacht–Ulster Region, setting responsibilities, Noise Action Plan 2018-2023 for sections of priorities and common objectives for waste roadways in its functional areas that experience a enforcement, ensuring consistent enforcement of volume of traffic greater than three million vehicle waste legislation, while still leaving local authority passages per year. This plan excludes noise from personnel as first responders on the ground to domestic activities, noise created by neighbours specific breaches of waste legislation. and noise at work places. The draft plan was available for public inspection from 16th November National Inspection Plan to 7th December 2018 with submissions accepted up to 13th December 2018. It is expected the final The purpose of the registration and inspection plan will be adopted in early 2019. system for domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWTS) is to protect ground and surface water quality (particularly drinking water sources) from the risks posed by malfunctioning systems. With effect from 26th June 2012 all owners of premises connected to a domestic wastewater treatment system were required to register their systems. The fee for registration is now €50. Under the Water Services Act 2007 as amended,
Annual Report 2018 33 Environmental Protection
Launch of Spring Clean 2018 at Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon.
Awareness and Anti Litter Annual Tidy Awards Initiatives The incredible work of volunteers and community groups across County Roscommon is recognised Anti-Litter Cinema through our Annual Tidy Competitions which includes categories such as Tidy Estate Advertisement Competition Competition, Tidy Cemetery Competition, Tidy The Roscommon Anti-Litter Cinema Schools, Best Presented Street and Golden Brush Advertisement Competition was held across Awards. At the Tidy Awards Ceremony held in several secondary schools in County Roscommon. December 2018 groups received awards which A premiere of all advertisements and an awards were presented by Eanna Ni Lamhna. ceremony was held in Roscommon Cinema. The winning entry was shown before all films for a Spring Clean and Gum Litter three-month period and the runner up was made into a radio advertisement on iRadio. Task Force During 2018, the Environment Department of Audio Devices at Bottle Banks Roscommon County Council hosted both the national launch of Spring Clean and the national Audio devices were installed at a number of bottle launch of the Gum Litter Task Force. Both bank locations over the festive period to deter campaigns were launched by Minister Denis littering and dumping. Naughten.
Community Involvement and Green Schools Recognition Ninety-five Green Flags have been awarded to Roscommon County Council’s current Litter Plan date, six to secondary schools, eighty-eight to promotes the working together of the Council primary schools and one to a Crèche. 98% of and local communities in developing initiatives. primary schools and 100% of secondary schools Nine community groups participated in the are registered with the Green Schools Programme. Adopt a Bring Bank Initiative whereby they agree Awarded schools must renew their Green Flag to undertake maintenance of the bank for one every two years. Thirty schools successfully year. Seven community groups participated in renewed their green flag in 2018. Roscommon the Adopt a Road Initiative whereby a group County Council supports the Green Schools maintains a section of road litter free for a period Programme in the county through organising of one year. workshops for schools, teacher seminars and assessment of applications as well and advice and mentoring.
34 Roscommon County Council Environmental Protection
Opening of the Master Composting Site in Ballyleague.
Greening of Festivals Water Bottle Filling Units in The Environment Department provides support Secondary Schools and materials to festival organisers in order The Environment Department organised the to facilitate the separation of waste in order to installation of water bottle filling units in all increase recycling and composting at events as nine secondary schools in County Roscommon well as minimise litter. in order to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles. Roscommon was the first county in Food Waste Audits for Ireland to do so. Businesses Reuse Videos Approval was received from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment A series of videos were filmed featuring twenty- (DCCAE) for funding to conduct fifteen Food four local businesses in association with the Local Waste Audits and Characterisation studies, and Enterprise Office (LEO) for Reuse Month. These the development of a Food Waste Calculator. videos received 16k views on our Facebook page. This Section also organised four workshops on Master Composting upcycling books in conjunction with Ros na nÓg children’s book festival. A Master Composting Course was held in Ballyleague over five evenings. A demonstration site was developed and hands on practical work carried out over three Saturdays. The official opening was officiated by Minister Denis Naughten and twenty participants were awarded their certificates. Follow up outreach work to develop further demonstration sites and training commenced with participating groups from across County Roscommon.
Annual Report 2018 35 Environmental Protection
Michellemadethis, during filming for the Greener Cleaning Campaign
Green Team Laboratory Training of staff was completed to actively The laboratory continued to provide a shared participate in an internal Green Team to introduce sampling and testing service to five other local a range of energy saving and waste prevention authorities. This entailed sampling and testing initiatives across County Council buildings in of drinking waters, wastewaters, trade effluents, Roscommon Town. Green Team members are in landfill leachates, surface waters and groundwater. the process of rolling out an improved recycling Following an Irish National Accreditation Board scheme in a selection of buildings. audit in late 2018 the Laboratory increased its accreditation for a number of drinking water, Greener Cleaning Campaign wastewater and ambient water quality parameters to ISO 17025:2005 and is working towards further This project increasing its scope of accreditation. commenced in 2017 with a series of online video tutorials featuring “Michellemadethis” as Green Cleaning Ambassador for the campaign. The Greener Cleaning campaign culminated with a feature on the RTE programme Ecoeye on 27th February 2018. This campaign has been hugely impressive with a reach of 123,734 people and 32,642 views of the online video tutorial series.
36 Roscommon County Council Finance
The Finance Department is responsible Revenue Collection for the following; The table below summarises revenue collection gg Financial Management and Oversight; performance since 2013: gg Accounts Receivable including Motor Tax; Table 1 Revenue collection 2013-2018 gg Accounts Payable and Procurement; gg Internal Audit; gg Production and Publication of Financial 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 Information including the Annual Budget
and the Annual Financial Statement. Rates 86% 83% 91% 93% 80% 77%
Financial Management Rent 92% 91% 92% 89% 93% 91% The County Council operates a revenue account Housing 55% 56% 58% 75% 53% 42% for day to day current income and expenditure Loans and a capital account for longer term project related income and expenditure such as the Percentage collection in relation to rents and rates provision of infrastructure and assets, including were up slightly when compared to the previous roads, housing schemes, land and buildings. The year. Roscommon County Council is committed level of expenditure for the revenue account for to working with all customers to resolve issues in 2018 was €58.8m while for the capital account the relation to the payment of Council charges. expenditure was €30.4m. Key Points related to financial activity of 2018: gg A surplus of €6.4k was delivered on the Revenue Account; gg The Capital Account reported a cumulative credit balance of €19m; gg The cumulative general reserve at the end of 2018 stands at €189.8k; gg A combined total of €89.2m for Revenue and Capital was expended on delivering services to the citizens of Roscommon; gg The payroll function continues to operate through a Service Level Agreement as a shared service hosted by Laois County Council; gg 93% of invoices from suppliers were paid within thirty days during 2018 which is in line with the previous year.
Annual Report 2018 37 Finance
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Income & Expenditure Account Statement) for Year Ended 31st December 2018 The Income and Expenditure Account Statement brings together all the revenue related income and expenditure. It shows the surplus/(deficit) for the year.
Gross Net Net Expenditure Income Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure by Division 2018 2018 2018 2017 € € € €
Housing & Building 6,182,458 7,058,735 (876,277) (675,519)
Roads Transportation & Safety 23,822,083 17,690,431 6,131,652 5,223,136
Water Services 6,597,932 6,901,414 (303,483) (44,706)
Development Management 6,879,495 2,833,470 4,046,025 3,761,904
Environmental Services 5,603,039 1,007,195 4,595,844 4,477,014
Recreation & Amenity 4,071,276 783,353 3,287,923 3,065,650
Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare 741,168 272,230 468,937 416,431
Miscellaneous Services 4,942,947 3,471,727 1,471,220 2,397,306
Total Expenditure/Income 58,840,397 40,018,556
Net cost of Divisions to be funded from 18,821,841 18,621,214 Rates & Local Property Tax
Rates 11,724,326 11,185,011
Local Property Tax 10,216,232 10,216,232
Surplus/(Deficit) for Year before Transfers 3,118,717 2,780,028
Transfers from/(to) Reserves (3,112,252) (2,769,351)
Overall Surplus/(Deficit) for Year 6,465 10,677
General Reserve @ 1st January 2018 183,369 172,692
General Reserve @ 31st December 2018 189,833 183,369
38 Roscommon County Council Finance
Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) as at 31st December 2018
2018 2017 € €
Fixed Assets Operational 231,700,563 226,112,804 Infrastructural 1,615,664,454 1,615,664,454 Community 11,547,611 11,549,030 Non-Operational 1,431,971 1,555,000 1,860,344,599 1,854,881,288 Work in Progress and Preliminary Expenses 5,792,763 7,683,791
Long Term Debtors 7,158,838 6,294,422
Current Assets Stocks - - Trade Debtors & Prepayments 7,138,852 4,078,019 Bank Investments 18,798,012 1,315,977 Cash at Bank 54,414 21,715,016 Cash in Transit 134,484 171,879 26,125,763 27,280,891
Current Liabilities (Amounts falling due within one year) Bank Overdraft - - Creditors & Accruals 7,289,741 12,109,308 Finance Leases - - 7,289,741 12,109,308
Net Current Assets / (Liabilities) 18,836,022 15,171,584
Creditors (Amounts falling due after more than one year) Loans Payable 29,014,576 29,673,838 Finance Leases - - Refundable Deposits 1,280,080 1,316,577 Other 1,016,940 - 31,311,596 30,990,415
Net Assets 1,860,820,626 1,853,040,669
Represented by Capitalisation 1,860,344,599 1,854,881,288 Income WIP 5,338,198 6,561,136 Specific Revenue Reserve - - General Revenue Reserve 189,833 183,369 Other Balances (5,052,004) (8,585,123)
Total Reserves 1,860,820,626 1,853,040,669
Annual Report 2018 39 Finance
Revenue Budget Expenditure
Housing and Miscellaneous Building Agriculture, 8% Housing11% and Roads, Spend by programme Education,Miscellaneous Building Agriculture, 8% 11% Transportation Health and Roads, Education, and Safety 2018 2018 Welfare Transportation Health and 40% 1% and Safety € % Welfare 40% 1% Housing and Building 6,182,458 1 1% Recreation and Amenity Roads Transportation and Safety 23,822,083 40% Recreation7% Water Services 6,597,932 11% and Amenity 7% Development Management 6,879,495 12% Environmental Services 5,603,039 10% Environmental Services Recreation and Amenity 4,071,276 7% Environmental10% Agriculture, Education, Health Services 10% and Welfare 741,168 1% Miscellaneous 4,942,947 8%
Development Total 58,840,398 100% Management Development12% Management Water Services 12% 11% Water Services 11%
Miscellaneous Expenses Financial What money was spent on 1% Expenses Miscellaneous Expenses Financial4% 2018 2018 Establishment 1% Expenses Payroll Expenses € % 4% 43% 0% Establishment Payroll Expenses Payroll 25,487,817 43% 43% Administration0% Operational Expenses 27,771,155 47% Expenses 4% Administration Expenses 2,454,461 4% Administration Expenses Establishment Expenses 265,516 0%* 4% Financial Expenses 2,108,676 4% Miscellaneous Expenses 752,773 1%
Total 58,840,398 100%
* The actual percentage of 0.45% has been rounded to 0%.
Operational Expenses 47% Operational Expenses 47%
40 Roscommon County Council Housing and Building
Final Construction Stage at Monksfield Park, Athlone Final Construction Stage at Station Road, Boyle
Acquisition and Construction Programme The Housing Department is committed to delivering the actions set out under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 and Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. In 2018 the Council completed the purchase of seven single dwellings in various locations and the turnkey construction of ten units at Monksfield Park, Athlone under the Housing Acquisition and Construction Programme. Work also commenced on projects at Station Road, Boyle and Lisroyne Court, Strokestown and these are expected to be completed in 2019.
Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) 369 Approved Housing Bodies APPLICANTS Qualified for have a key role in the delivery Social Housing of social housing and the Capital Advanced Leasing Facility is one of the main capital funding streams for the supply of social housing through Approved Housing Bodies. The scheme allows Approved Housing Bodies to access funding for the purchase or construction of housing units which are made available to Local Authorities for social housing under a Payment and Availability agreement. In 2018 Roscommon County Council together with a number of Approved Housing Bodies delivered thirty-eight houses under this scheme throughout the County.
Map of Social Housing Delivered under CALF Scheme in 2018
Annual Report 2018 41 RAS HAP
53% 47%
Housing and Building
Repair and Leasing Scheme Figure 2: Age profile of Social Housing Applicants (RLS) 70 or more Under 25 The Repair and Leasing Scheme was developed under Rebuilding Ireland to assist property owners 18 30 in bringing vacant properties back into productive use. The scheme provides up-front funding for repairs required to bring the property up to standard. In return the property is made available 49-69 25-49 to the Local Authority for social housing by a lease agreement for a period of at least five years. 108 213 The cost of the repairs is repaid by the owner by offsetting it against rental income over the period of the lease agreement. Roscommon County Council entered into two Repair and Leasing Scheme agreements in Roscommon Town in 2018. Assessments and Long-term and Enhanced AllocationsAHBs Housing Leasing An annual Social Housing Needs Assessment HAPis carried10% out by Local Authorities under Section Leasing as a form of social housing provision 21 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) widens the options for increasing the supply 33% Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment of social housing. Roscommon County Council (Summary) Regulations 2016. The assessment currently leases five properties from private Councilcounts the total number of households qualified owners. House for social housing in order to better inform policy and plan for the delivery of appropriate types of Rental Accommodation 57%housing support. Scheme (RAS) The 2018 count was carried out on the 11th of June and at that time there were 369 applicants Roscommon County Council continues to provide (net of transfers) on the approved housing list. private rented accommodation financial support to 260 applicants are currently in private rented those who have a long term housing need through accommodation. 136 properties were offered to the Rental Accommodation Scheme. At the end qualified social housing applicants in 2018 resulting of 2018, there were 410 households receiving in 88 new Local Authority tenancy agreements. support through this scheme. 314 households were in private rented accommodation and 96 in accommodation provided by Approved Housing Housing Assistance Bodies. Payment Scheme (HAP)
Figure 1: Private Rented Tenancies The Housing Assistance Payment scheme continues to provide housing support to people with a long-term housing need. Rent Supplement RAS HAP recipients who qualify for social housing support are being transferred from Rent Supplement to the 53% 47% Housing Assistance Payment scheme on a phased basis. 230 applicants were accommodated via the scheme in 2018. This brings the total number of applicants accommodated through the Housing Assistance Payment scheme to 354 since the scheme was introduced in December 2016.
70 or more Under 25 18 30 42 Roscommon County Council
49-69 25-49 108 213
AHBs HAP 10% 33%
Council House 57% Housing and Building
RAS HAP 53%Standards for Rented 47% Tenant Purchase Scheme Residential Property The Tenant Purchase Scheme was published under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. Inspections of private rented dwellings continue Thirty-six applications were received in 2018 and to be carried out under the Housing (Standards are at various stages of the process. Twenty-one for Private Rented Houses) Regulations 2017. 353 offers of sale were made, of which fourteen have inspections were carried out on 238 dwellings been accepted. Seven sales have been closed. in 2018. 87 of the dwellings inspected in 2018 achieved the required standard. Housing Loans 70 or more Under 25 Homelessness The Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 25 of 2018) came into Roscommon18 County Council provides30 a range of effect on the 1st of February 2018. The Rebuilding responses to homelessness in accordance with the Ireland Home Loan replaces the existing House West Region Homelessness Action Plan. A total Purchase Loan and Home Choice Loan. It is of seventy households presented as homeless 49-69 25-49 targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their in 2018, thirty of which required short-term own home, have access to an adequate deposit accommodation. Twenty-one households availed and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but of different forms of social housing support213 which 108 who are unable to access a mortgage from a included Local Authority or Approved Housing commercial lender sufficient for them to purchase Body housing and private rented accommodation their first home. Roscommon County Council (HAP). received twenty-nine loan applications in 2018. Ten of these loan applications were approved. Figure 3: Social Housing Support for Homeless
AHBs Sale of Private Sites HAP Roscommon County Council advertised the sale 10% of ten developed sites at Forest View, Boyle 33% and one developed site at Ardsallaghmore, Roscommon. Applications were assessed in early Council 2018. No applications were received for Boyle House and one application was received for the site at Ardsallaghmore, Roscommon. 57% Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014-2018 The five-year Traveller Accommodation Syrian Refugee Programme 2014–2018 was adopted by Roscommon County Council on the 27th Resettlement Programme January 2014. Fifty-five Traveller households Roscommon County Council accommodated were accommodated in standard social housing, twenty family units consisting of seventy-nine Traveller-specific and private rented (HAP) individuals (including new-born children) in 2018. accommodation over the life of the programme. To facilitate access to services, families were Preparation of the Traveller Accommodation accommodated in the primary urban centres Programme 2019-2024 commenced in 2018 and a within the county. draft plan will be ready for circulation in April 2019.
Annual Report 2018 43 Housing and Building
ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL TENANT HANDBOOK
This Handbook clarifies Tenant and Council responsibilities and provides guidance on good housekeeping
Published August 2018
Tenants Handbook
Housing Maintenance National Housing Strategy ROSCOMMONRoscommon County Council’s COUNTYHousing for People COUNCIL with a Disability Department received 1,342 maintenance calls and 2015-2019 spent €511,965.41 on response maintenance works in 2018. This equatesTENANT to an average of €HANDBOOK382 per A Housing and Disability Steering Group for County call-out. Roscommon was established in Roscommon in 2014. The purpose of this group is to facilitate This Handbook clarifies Tenant and Council responsibilities andintegrated provides and guidancetimely responses on good to the housekeeping housing Voids Programme needs of people with physical, intellectual, mental Two units were funded by the Department of and sensory disabilities by the various statutory Housing, Planning and Local Government under and voluntary organisations working with the the 2018 Voids Programme in the amount of disability sector in Roscommon. The Strategic €43,726. Approximately 96.5% of Local Authority Plan for Housing Persons with Disabilities was stock is tenanted at any given time and a further prepared by the Housing Business Unit and the 2% accounts for natural turn-over (percentage plan is consistent with the National Strategic Plan of stock between tenancies). The remaining for Housing Persons with Disabilities. Effective 1.5% of the housing stock is not likely to return implementation of the plan will require a high to productive use as these units are intended for degree of cooperation between a number of key sale (deemed to be derelict and in areas of low stakeholders. demand). Published August 2018 Estate Management Housing Grants The Housing Business Unit continues to pursue €1,038,559 was allocated towards Housing Aid for best practice in the management and maintenance Older People and Housing Adaptations for People of housing stock and promote resident association with a Disability in 2018, which was an increase of initiatives. A revised and up-dated Tenant over €39,321 on 2017. The Council’s contribution Handbook was published and distributed to all to this scheme was 20% of the allocation amount. Local Authority tenants in 2018. The handbook The programme continues to improve the living clarifies tenant and Council responsibilities, conditions of the more vulnerable members of provides guidance on good housekeeping and the community as well as providing an economic contains useful tenant information. The Council stimulus to the local construction sector. also continues to take a proactive, inter-agency approach with regard to prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour.
44 Roscommon County Council Human Resources
The Human Resources Department promotes and supports a culture of quality customer service through workforce planning, recruitment and selection of staff, training and development, performance management, leadership development, staff welfare, development and delivery of agreed Human Resources policies and procedures, ongoing reform and organisational change, maintenance of a stable industrial relations environment, and the creation of an equitable, consultative and supportive working environment. Workforce Management Performance Management Roscommon County Council recognises that The cornerstone of the Council’s Integrated ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL its employees are the most valuable resource Performance Management System is its Corporate within the organisation. They play a crucial role Plan. The Corporate Plan is the foundation for in the achievement of its corporate and business generating Annual Service Plans, Unit Plans TENANT HANDBOOK objectives and are a key resource fundamental and Integrated Performance Plans. These plans to the delivery of change. The Human Resources establish goals, targets and timeframes to Department deploys, develops and manages its ensure that every employee in the organisation This Handbook clarifies Tenant and Council responsibilities and provides guidance on good housekeeping workforce to meet the challenges of an evolving contributes effectively to delivering a quality working environment and to provide an efficient service to the public. and effective service to the public. The total number of staff employed by Roscommon County Council at the 31st December, 2018 was 470.
Published August 2018
Annual Report 2018 45 Human Resources
Staff Training and Industrial/Employee Development Relations Roscommon County Council is committed to the The Human Resources Department works with training and development of staff through a diverse unions and staff representatives to achieve and range of training and development opportunities, maintain positive employee relationships and is leadership development programmes and further committed to the promotion of a good industrial education opportunities to ensure that employees relations environment. have the knowledge expertise, competencies and skills to achieve the Council’s goals and objectives. A comprehensive and equitable training and Attendance Management development programme was delivered by the The Council’s attendance management policy Human Resources Department during 2018. helps to provide for a working environment which maximises and motivates employee attendance. The policy aims to reduce absenteeism and results The Public Service Stability in improved service delivery and reduced costs. Agreement 2018-2020 The percentage of working days lost to sickness absenteeism in 2018 was 4.83%. This Agreement is an extension of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 - 2018 and applies for the period 1st January, 2018 to 31st Labour Activation December, 2020. The Agreement introduced sustainable reform measures to underpin the Measures delivery of a more integrated, efficient and The Council has facilitated three graduates effective public service. under the Graduate Recruitment Programme in the areas of Economic, Enterprise and Business Development & Communications and Marketing. The aim is to ensure that at the end of the programme each of the graduates will have enhanced their skills and competencies in their chosen area of expertise.
46 Roscommon County Council Information and Communication Technologies
The Information Systems Department (IS) is headed up by the Head of Information Systems and includes an Operations Team and newly formed Digital Transformation Team. The Operations Team provide the service delivery platform and technical support for all other Council departments, ensuring that the necessary equipment and information is readily available to provide an efficient service to the public.
In late 2018, the Digital Transformation Team The Digital Transformation team will change was set up and started work on a number of how services at Roscommon County Council initiatives to enhance service provision and data are provided to the public. It aims to make collection. This is an opportunity to transform how Roscommon County Council a SMARTER place Roscommon County Council provides services to to do business. Government policy places digital and interacts with the customers it serves through technology at the forefront of its programme for the use of digital technologies. Service delivery government and Roscommon will pursue this aim. will change by providing new customer channels On the operations side, 2018 saw the completion to Council services, enabling a shift from manual of bandwidth upgrades to all wide area network paper based processes to digital online services (WAN) connections, thereby enhancing the where it makes sense to do so. services being provided to Municipal District Building on digital initiatives already rolled out in Offices, Area Offices and Libraries, giving faster 2017, the team developed a Case Management processing of data and the ability to roll out new Solution through a third party supplier and have digital services. piloted the Case Management System in one It also saw the roll-out of free Wi-Fi and self- Municipal District with the aim of rolling the service facilities to branch libraries around the system out to other Municipal Districts in 2019. county allowing our communities to avail of The new system will enable the collection, storage access to a decent broadband service enabling and managing of data through digital applications then to do their business online. that will aid the organisation to shape its decision making processes going forward. Internally there were significant services delivery platform enhancements in the first half of 2018 with an upgrade all Microsoft Office applications on desktop computers. This upgrade brings the Council up-to-date with the latest available office applications and enables customer services staff to deliver an enhanced service to the public.
Annual Report 2018 47 Library Services
Roscommon County Council Library Services provides for the cultural, educational, recreational, learning and information needs of people of all ages through a network of branch libraries and the mobile library. The service seeks to provide and develop a comprehensive, modern and accessible service in light of ongoing local government reforms.
Service Provision Proposals for new service delivery structures utilising collaborative strategies for public libraries In 2018, the operation of the service through six were outlined in the Managing the Delivery of fixed branch library service points at Roscommon, Effective Library Services (MDELS) report in Boyle, Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea, Strokestown 2014. Discussions continued in 2018 on the new and Elphin, and the Mobile Library Service collaborative strategy proposal. continued. The Mobile Library served set service points such as Monksland, Athlone together with visits to crèches and nursing homes. The Information Communication provision of administrative and other operational Technologies (ICT) support services including stock provisions, local studies, archives, technology, online resources ICT play a key part in the delivery of Library and events management were also catered Services as a means to modernising and improving for and administered from the County Library access. 2018 saw the ongoing development of Headquarters. the single library management system, Sierra, in every library in the country. This system allows Maintaining frontline services to the public Roscommon borrowers access any item in any remained a service priority. Despite budgetary library in the country, with delivery facilitated by challenges, opening hours continued to be a courier system. sustained where possible through the ongoing support and assignment of Headquarters staff to Roscommon registered library users also continue cover branch libraries. to have access to nationally provided eResources including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and The Library service continues to be a free service language courses. thus ensuring that all members of the public have access to the public library service. In December 2018 library fines were abolished. Work Matters The Work Matters service supports the public in Library Development starting a new business and those seeking work and changing career. Roscommon Library contains Strategies a dedicated space for the Work Matters service. Preparatory work has begun for a new Library The space consists of a personal computer with Development Plan 2018 – 2022 in the context of the relevant online services, book-stock and a study core services strategies and recommendations as area. In 2018, a number of events were held in contained in Our Public Libraries 2022: Inspiring, conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Connecting and Empowering Communities. and the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) and the service extended to all branches.
48 Roscommon County Council Library Services
Right to Read The Right to Read at your Library Programme seeks to provide literacy support and reading development in all local authorities. The Library Service works in partnership with representatives from the GRETB, Roscommon Childcare Committee, Foróige and TUSLA to ensure that the Programme complements and enhances existing local literacy programmes. The programme includes seasonal events such as Spring into Storytime, Summer Stars, Ros na nÓg Childrens Book Festival, and Family Time at Your Library. Ros na nÓg was partly funded by Creative Ireland Ros na nÓg Event Programme with over 45 events throughout Library Activities the library network. The 2018 Primary Schools Quiz was very popular and in 2018 a new quiz and Exhibitions commenced for Transition Year students called A substantial programme of events, festival Battle of Wits in which two Roscommon Town supports, activities and initiatives for people of schools competed very well in the Regional Final. all ages was delivered in 2018. These events form an integral part of the strategy to encourage Healthy Ireland at public engagement with the service. Other cultural and arts events were delivered as part Your Library of cross departmental working with the Arts Healthy Ireland at Your Library (HIYL), a Office, Community and Enterprise Department Government-led initiative, is the national strategy etc. Highlights of the year included the Women in to improve health and wellbeing. HIYL aims to Theatre Seminar in Strokestown Park House, the establish Libraries as a valuable resource for Vótáil 100 conference in King House, the Genealogy health-related information. The programme course at Castlerea Library, Heritage Week, National was delivered throughout the six libraries in Poetry Day and the Siarscéal Festival. Roscommon and there is now a greatly enhanced selection of health-related information available. Performance Measures This has been achieved through the provision of In 2018, there were a total of 134,183 visits or collections and events at all libraries. During 2018, footfall to branch libraries/mobile library for a there were a total of twenty-seven health-related variety of purposes reflecting continued public events held in Roscommon Libraries. support. The total expenditure for 2018 was €1.8 million. Local Studies and Archives The Library Service continued to develop and make accessible a substantial Archives and Local Studies, reference and research service based at the County Library headquarters. The Local Studies section undertook a major map restoration project in co-operation with Roscommon Museum, which resulted in an historical map being digitised Healthy Ireland at and copies being made available in the Library. Your Library Event
Annual Report 2018 49 Roads, Transportation and Safety
The Roads and Transportation Department is responsible for the delivery of programmes including National and Non-National Road Maintenance and Road Improvement Schemes, Road Safety Programmes, Bridge Maintenance and Improvement Works, Maintenance of Arterial Drainage, Flood Alleviation Works, Burial Grounds, Abnormal Loads Permits, Declaration of Public Roads, Extinguishment of Rights-of-Way, Local Improvement Schemes, Community Involvement Schemes, Temporary Road Closures, Approval of Bus Stop Locations, Speed Limits, Fleet and Machinery, Road Opening Licences and Parks and Amenities. Road Network Roscommon County Council as the road authority is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the national, regional and local road network in the county. 2018 works included road reconstruction, road pavement improvements and restoration maintenance work including surface dressing, safety measures at accident black spots, traffic management, bridge rehabilitation, footpath repairs and training. Roscommon County Council Road Works Scheme 2018 was adopted at the Municipal District meetings.
Funding for roads in County Roscommon is received from:
gg Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport (DTTAS) gg Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for National Primary and Secondary routes gg Department of Rural and Community Development for Local Improvement Schemes gg Roscommon County Council’s own resources.
Table 1 County Roscommon Table 2 County Roscommon National and Road Class and Length (M) Non-National Roads funding 2018
Road Class Length (M) 2018 Funding Source Works Funding Motorway 20,220 Regional and Local Road National primary 85,876 Reconstruction and Department of Maintenance, Bridges, National Tourism, Transport €14,500,000 147,813 Drainage Works, Safety secondary and Sport (DTTAS) Schemes, Community Regional 373,602 Involvement Schemes
Transport Local Roads 3,426,882 National Primary and Infrastructure Ireland €13,000,000 Secondary Routes Total all roads 4,054,393 (TII)
Department of Rural Non-Public Roads Local and Community €817,000 Improvement Schemes Development (DRCD)
Roscommon County Regional and Local Roads Council’s own €1,800,000 / Public Lighting resources.
Total €30,117,000
50 Roscommon County Council Roads, Transportation and Safety
National Road Projects The N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project the first quarter of 2018 and the mainline opened to is 33.4km and extends from the east tie-in point traffic in the final quarter of 2018. of the N5 Ballaghaderreen Bypass to Scramoge The N61 Tulsk to Clashaganny Road Realignment and bypasses Frenchpark, Bellanagare, Tulsk and Project involves the realignment of approximately Strokestown. In 2018 An Bord Pleanála requested 4.5km of the N61 National Secondary route from additional information on the application for north of Tulsk village to Clashaganny. Various Development Consent and for confirmation of the environmental specialists have been procured in Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and associated order to assist in the development of the project documentation. An Bord Pleanála convened an Oral from concept through to the completion of Hearing in respect of the proposed development in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/ October 2018 with the outcome to be delivered in Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) and early 2019. The project is expected to commence the statutory processes. Work is continuing on pending the decision of An Bord Pleanála. the initial planning phases of the project, with the The N60 Oran Road Realignment Project involves preparation of the Constraints Study and Route the realignment of approximately 3.4 km of the N60 Options underway. National Secondary route including 1.7 km of offline National Road Pavement Projects: The N60 construction and 1.7 km of online widening to Type Castlerea South Pavement Overlay and N61 Corroy 1 single carriageway standard. The land acquisition Surface Replacement were completed in final process continued throughout 2018 with 80% quarter of 2018. Works commenced on the N5 of the land cases settled. In 2018 site works were Frenchpark West Surface Replacement and the completed, permanent fencing and utility diversion N63 Athleague Pavement Improvement Schemes. contracts were procured, Phase 5 site clearance Following tender assessment, the N5 Tulsk Surface contract and detailed design and preparation of the Replacement contract was awarded in final quarter main construction contract tender documents were of 2018. Pavement repairs are ongoing at Cortober completed. The main construction contract was and Clonfad. tendered in November 2018 with tenders scheduled to be assessed in the first quarter of 2019. The 2019
TII allocation for the scheme is €4,000,000. Non-National Roads The 2018 Roads Programme on Regional and Local The N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery Road Roads was completed in all engineering areas. Project comprises the improvement of the N61 Over 400 separate projects were completed under National Secondary Road between Ballymurray the Road Works Programme 2018 with funding of and Knockcroghery for a length of approximately €14.5m from DTTAS. 8.5km and incorporates a bypass of Knockcroghery Village. A range of environmental and technical specialists have been appointed for the project. Community Involvement The Concept and Feasibility, and Options Selection phases are underway with regard to the Planning Schemes (CIS) 2018 and Design of the project. Work has commenced The DTTAS has provided for grant assistance on the initial planning phases of the project. The which must be matched by a minimum 15% from Constraints Public Consultation was held in March the community for eligible works including general and Engineering Consultants were appointed maintenance, drainage works, pavement works in December following a procurement process and footpaths on public roads. An allocation of using TII’s Framework Agreement for Consultancy €595,000 for CIS from DTTAS was granted over Services. the two-year period 2018-2019. The N61 Coolteige Phase 1 Road Project involves the realignment and improvement of approximately 2.9km of a section of National Secondary Road on the northern outskirts of Roscommon Town. The land acquisition process is ongoing on foot of the approved CPO. Archaeological resolution field works were completed in November 2016. Post excavation archaeological works are ongoing. Works on the main construction contract commenced on site in
Annual Report 2018 51 Roads, Transportation and Safety
Local Improvement Schemes (LIS) 2018 In 2018, €817,242 in LIS funding was received from the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and allocated to ninety- one schemes on non-public roads. The local contribution is an integral part of the LIS. The DRCD proposed a contribution of 10% for eligible roads with up to and including five residents and 15% for those with six or more residents. At the end of 2018 there were an additional seventy- two LIS applications on file totalling in excess of €1million. These will be dealt with in line with the Scheme of Priority as agreed by the Strategic Policy Committee subject to additional funding allocations from the DRCD.
Footpath Repairs Bridge Rehabilitation Works at Clooncah Bridge, Co. Roscommon Programme Funding was received in 2018 from Irish Public Cemetery Registers Scanning Bodies for footpath repairs. Each Operational Area Project received an allocation of €10,000 to carry out repair work. Hazards are being recorded and the The Roads Department commenced a Cemetery Registers Scanning Project in March 2018 to Roads Department is continually coordinating with capture information in Registers of Interment utility providers identifying defective chambers in 100 Roscommon County Council owned etc. In the final quarter of 2018, contractors were cemeteries. The project is co-funded by the engaged to replace defective footpath sections County Library Service and the Heritage Office. and install tactile paving where required along After two tender competitions the contracts for the N5 as part of the Frenchpark Village overlay scanning the existing registers and for printing and along the N63 as part the Athleague Village new registers were awarded. Phase 1 of the project overlay. Drawings are being prepared for Tulsk was completed in June 2018. Eighty Registers village for footpath repairs and new sections are and twenty-five maps have been scanned and reprinted. The original registers were transferred to be incorporated into N5 Tulsk Village overlay. to the Library Archive. Burial Grounds Abnormal Load Permits Cemetery Capital Works Operators transporting a vehicle or load that falls Works on the extension to Fairymount Cemetery outside of the limits allowed by the Road Traffic were commenced with a budget of €30,000. This (Construction Equipment and Use of Vehicles) included building a boundary wall and an internal Regulations 2003 must obtain a permit for its road. movement. Local Authorities operate a permit system for abnormal loads where the conditions Cemetery Improvement and regarding weight, height and dimensions apply on all or part of journeys not on the routes covered by Maintenance Scheme An Garda Síochána Scheme. Sixty-eight Abnormal €35,000 was provided in grant assistance to Load Permits were issued in 2018. eighty-nine voluntary groups under the 2018 Scheme.
52 Roscommon County Council Roads, Transportation and Safety
Road Safety Poster Competition 2018
Road Opening Licences Road Safety Office Every excavation made in a public road or footpath In May 2018, twenty-eight national schools requires a Road Opening Licence. All applications for participated in the Annual Road Safety Poster licences to open the public road are lodged through Competition in conjunction with An Garda the central portal with the Road Management Office Síochána at Roscommon Arts Centre. www.rmo.ie. The Roads Department processes the Junior School Wardens were trained at national licenses for County Roscommon from this portal schools in Boyle, Castlerea, Elphin, Loughglynn and and attaches conditions and fees to the licence. Strokestown. In June, eleven national schools from Applications increased significantly from 112 in 2017 counties Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon to 297 in 2018. took part in the annual regional competition at Kinnegad National School organised by the Road Safety Programme Westmeath County Council Road Safety Office. Low Cost Safety Improvement Junior Warden Training was organised for Works members of An Garda Síochána from Castlerea, Boyle, Ballaghaderreen and Strokestown in June. Seventeen Safety Improvement Schemes were Training was provided by Mr. Noel Gibbons, Road completed on regional and local roads throughout Safety Officer, Mayo County Council and Mr. the county from a specific DTTAS grant of Declan Keogh, Road Safety Officer, South Dublin € 282,000 for Low Cost Safety Measures. County Council and included an on-site training session with junior wardens from St. Patrick’s Boy Special Speed Limits Housing National School, Strokestown. Estates Bye-Laws 2018 During National Road Safety Week 2018, a free Roscommon County Council adopted County tyre check, competitions, information stands and Roscommon Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits distribution of high-viz jackets and armbands were Housing Estates) Bye-Laws 2018 which came organised. into effect on 1st August 2018. These bye-laws introduced Special Speed Limits of 30 KPH on designated sections of roads in selected housing estates throughout the county.
Annual Report 2018 53 Roads, Transportation and Safety
Broadband Office The contract to extend high speed broadband to all premises in the state intervention area under the National Broadband Plan is expected to be awarded in 2019. The Department of Communication Climate Action and Environment are assessing the tender submitted by the consortium led by Granahan McCourt, partnered by Enet, Nokia, Actavo, the Kelly group and KN Group.
The High Speed Broadband Map, updated by the DCCAE in the final quarter of 2018, is summarised in Table 3 below.
gg Eir continue to install high speed fibre broadband across the county (light blue on NBP Map). gg A Digital Strategy for County Roscommon is being developed. gg An application was made under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) for Tulsk Digital Hub as part of a joint scheme led by the Western Development Commission, working with local authorities in Donegal, Sligo and Mayo. gg Funding of €35,000 was received under the Digital Innovation Map 1: County Roscommon High Speed Broadband Map Programme for a Remote Working Centre in Ballyforan. gg A voucher of €15,000 was secured under the WiFi4EU initiative, with matched funding by DRCD. The voucher will be used to install Wi-Fi equipment in public spaces commencing with Boyle Town.
Table 3 High Speed Broadband Original Map Updated Map Q1 2017 Q4 2018
Total no. of premises 39,117 39,089
State intervention Area Amber 48% 47%
Commercial Deployment Blue 33% 45%
Commercial Planned Light Blue 19% 8% Deployment (remaining)
54 Roscommon County Council Water Services
On 1st January 2014 water and wastewater functions were transferred from local authorities to Irish Water. Roscommon County Council now acts as agents of Irish Water to deliver water and wastewater services under a twelve-year Service Level Agreement (SLA).
Annual Service Plan Monksland and Boyle Drainage Area Plans An Annual Service Plan with performance targets A Drainage Area Plan and a Wastewater Source is agreed each year. The 2018 Annual Service Plan Control Study are being undertaken in Monksland contained performance targets for the operation and Boyle to ascertain the condition of the existing and maintenance of existing water and wastewater networks and the flow and load arriving to the schemes and the delivery of capital projects, as Wastewater Treatment works. agreed in late 2017 as part of the staff headcount The upgrade works approved for Monksland and budget negotiations. The total budget includes the provision of new inlet works, € allocated to Roscommon was 8.4m. The plan storm tank and storm water overflow chamber contains seventy-five key performance indicators. and also includes for a telemetry upgrade. A site investigation contract was completed in Capital Schemes the second quarter of 2018. The construction contract was awarded in December 2018 with The planning and construction of all capital the construction works to commence in the first schemes is now carried out under the direction of quarter of 2019. Irish Water. There is an ongoing extensive Major and Minor Capital Programme underway in the Boyle Water Supply Scheme- Extension County. to Grangemore The existing Grangemore Scheme (Cavetown INFRASTRUCTURE Water Treatment Plant) (WTP) is currently on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Remedial PORTFOLIO Action List (RAL) arising from Trihalomethane exceedances in 2013. The plant is also at high risk Roscommon Town Main Drainage due to an insufficient cryptosporidium barrier and an inadequate process for the removal of The key objective of the Roscommon Town Main high concentrations of Total Organic Carbon. This Drainage project is to address the drivers for the project involves extending the Boyle Regional Roscommon Agglomeration listed on the EU Water Supply Scheme (RWSS) southward Commission’s Letter of Formal Notice 2015 under to the Grangemore RWSS and ultimately the the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. decommissioning of the Cavetown WTP. Wayleave The Site Investigation contract will be complete negotiations were complete in the third quarter of early in the second quarter of 2019. The planning 2018. The site investigation contract was complete and detailed design stage is currently ongoing. in the first quarter of 2018. The tender documents Tendering will commence in the third quarter of for the interconnecting pipeline contract were 2019. Construction is planned to follow in the first issued to the market in the third quarter of quarter of 2020 to upgrade the network. 2018 and a contract awarded to a contractor in November 2018. Construction work will commence in the first quarter of 2019 and is programmed to be complete by the final quarter of 2019.
Annual Report 2018 55 Water Services
Ballyhaunis-Granlahan-Williamstown Ballaghaderreen Waste Water Network Contract Treatment Plant A boil water notice (BWN) was put in place on The Ballaghaderreen Waste Water Treatment Plant the Ballinlough/Loughglynn RWSS scheme on (WWTP) is included under the Capital Investment the 29th December 2015. The solution to remove Plan 2017-2021 for assessment of its primary and the BWN for the scheme was to receive a supply secondary treatment processes. The current plant of water from the Lough Mask Water Treatment is at risk in terms of Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant via a new interconnecting trunk water main Directive compliance, overloading and failure to from Ballyhaunis to the existing reservoir site in provide adequate capacity for growth. A draft Granlahan. This is the first time a major water feasibility study report for Ballaghaderreen WWTP supply has supplied three Counties. The boil Upgrade is due in the first quarter of 2019 with the water notice was lifted on the 21st December 2017. final Design Report to be complete by the third The pipeline then extended on to Williamstown. quarter of 2019. This in turn will be bundled into a Final handover from the contractor to Irish regional contract which is expected to be out to Water Operations came into effect on the 22nd the market by the final quarter of 2019. November 2018.
Irish Water, working in partnership with Mayo, Roscommon and Galway County Councils, on the 23rd November celebrated the official opening of the €10 million investment which has seen the extension of the Lough Mask Water Supply Scheme in County Mayo to Ballinlough, Cloonfad, Granlahan and Williamstown.
56 Roscommon County Council Water Services
CAPITAL PROGRAMME Water Treatment Advance PORTFOLIO Works Investigations Works Programme Process Optimisation and Castlerea Temporary Water Treatment Plant has Control Programme been identified for inclusion in this €1.6m regional programme. The works will consist of installation North Roscommon Water Supply Scheme of water monitoring and recording equipment. (WSS) This data will enable future design decisions to be All upgrade works on the original contract were made for future upgrade works. Site assessment completed on the North Roscommon WTP. A has been carried out. new Powdered Activation Carbon Plant was also constructed. Following completion of the works and Access to Heights and Edge a successful EPA audit, the North Roscommon WSS Protection Programme was removed from the EPA Remedial Action List. Twelve sites have been identified in the county Water Treatment Programme for inclusion in this €4m regional programme. The programme has been developed to address A Regional Water Treatment programme is being high-risk items identified during Health, Safety, rolled out by Irish Water. A contractor has been Quality and Environment (HSQE) inspections. appointed for filter upgrade and source protection Grid flooring replacement works have been works at Mount Talbot WTP. Site assessments are added to this programme. A contractor has been underway at present. appointed. Site assessments and designs have Lead Mitigation Programme been completed. Interim solution involves installation of Ortho SME Energy Efficiency Phosphate Dosing at prioritised sites, up to 200 locations nationwide by the end of 2019. Five Programme locations have been identified as a priority sites Jacobs Consulting Engineers were appointed in Roscommon. by Irish Water to carry out energy audits at four sites in the county. Energy savings are identified Reservoir Cleaning Programme through operational and process changes. All reservoirs and storage tanks in the county were cleaned during 2018 as part of Irish Water’s Regional Reservoir Cleaning Programme.
New Powdered Activated Carbon Plant (North Roscommon Water Supply Scheme)
Annual Report 2018 57 Water Services
Leakage Management System Water Networks Rehabilitation Extensive data gathering and communication with Programme Crowder Consulting in collaboration with Irish Ballinlough Water has been carried out in order to facilitate the roll out of the new Irish Water National This scheme involved the rehabilitation of Leakage Management System called Net base. The approximately 1.55Km of 100mm diameter water new system is expected to go live in Roscommon main including valves, fittings and associated during April 2019. assets. The new main was upsized to a 125mm outside diameter high density polyethylene (OD HDPE) main. WATER NETWORKS Roscommon – Athlone Road, PORTFOLIO Roscommon Town This scheme involved the rehabilitation of Water Network Framework approximately 425m of 100mm diameter water Programme main including valves, fittings and associated assets and the removal of lead services. The new The Water Network Portfolio is under Irish Water’s main was upsized to a 125mm OD HDPE main. Capital Investment Plan 2017 to 2021. Works intended to be rolled out under this programme Castle Street, The Square and Henry include: Street, Roscommon Town gg New mains and service laying This scheme involved the replacement of gg Below ground network rehabilitation work approximately 50 existing lead services with new gg Back yard lead replacement polyethylene service pipes. gg District Metering Areas (DMA) establishment Lead Services Replacement Works gg Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) works in Roscommon Town gg Minor works to include leak repair gg Public side lead works and metering
Water Main Rehabilitation Works on the Athlone Road
58 Roscommon County Council Water Services
Measure 5 – SOURCE PROTECTION (Group Water Scheme Source Protection Pilot Project Phase II) Water Main Rehabilitation Works in Rooskey Roscommon County Council, in conjunction with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes and Geological Survey Ireland, are working on a Kilteevan Group Water Scheme Source Protection Phase II Pilot Study which involves developing full source This scheme involved the rehabilitation of protection plans. Additional funding of €76,400 approximately 850m of 100mm diameter water was allocated in 2018 to meet the costs incurred main including valves, fittings and associated in progressing the work for the Group Water assets. The new main was upsized to a 125mm Scheme Source Protection Pilot Project Phase II. OD HDPE main. Total funding under the Rural Water Programme Rooskey provided to the Group Water Schemes in 2018, including the Group Water Scheme Source This scheme involved the rehabilitation of Protection Pilot Project Phase II, was €539,372.36. approximately 850m of 100mm diameter cast iron water main and lead services including valves, Subsidy towards the fittings and associated assets. The new main was upsized to a 180mm OD HDPE main with new Operational Costs of Group polyethylene service pipes. Water Schemes Providing Find and Fix Programme Water for Domestic Use This is a two year programme targeted at District With effect from 1st January, 2018, the subsidies Metering Areas (DMA) with high unaccounted for have been increased and new incentives water (UFW) figures. This work commenced late introduced for smaller schemes. in the second quarter of 2018 using a regional Annual Subsidy - An annual subsidy per house contractor (Farrans) appointed by Irish Water and is available to group schemes for the operational a direct labour crew. The Find and Fix scheme cost of providing domestic water. The sum of involves leak detection using sounding equipment €282,392.40 was paid in 2018 to fifteen Group and subsequently the repair of any leaks found. Water Schemes. Operational and Maintenance Subsidy – This Rural Water Multi Annual subsidy is payable towards operational and Programme 2016-2018 maintenance costs associated with “bona fide” design/build/operate (DBO) contracts for group The Rural Water Programme 2018 block and scheme schemes that have their own water treatment specific allocation as advised by the Department facilities. The sum of €351,151.78 was paid in 2018 of Housing Planning and Local Government in the to four Group Water Schemes. sum of €856,000 is allocated over Measure 1 and Measure 2 as follows: Individual Well Grants gg Measure 1a: Environmental and Public The funding for individual well grants is demand Health Compliance. Improvements on led and applications continue to be processed. The Group Water Schemes in order to achieve maximum grant available is €2,031.58 or 75% of the compliance with the quality parameters cost of the work. Grants amounting to €17,800.51 of the Drinking Water Regulations. These were paid on ten completed applications in 2018. works are to continue in 2019. Lead Remediation Grant gg Measure 2: Block Grant Allocation for Group Water Scheme Network Upgrades In order to reduce exposure to lead in drinking and Water Conservation. Contract works water, a grant scheme is available to assist were progressed on a number of Group households to replace lead services within their Water Schemes in 2018 under this measure. homes. This grant scheme has been established in line with the National Lead Strategy. Figure 10: Reservoir cleaning works at Fairymount Reservoir
Annual Report 2018 59 Local Community Development Committee Report
The Local Community Development The following is an Committee (LCDC) has primary overview of items responsibility for coordinating, planning progressed by the LCDC and overseeing the implementation of the in 2018: Local Economic and Community Plan 2016- gg Social Inclusion 2021. Community Activation Seven LCDC Meetings were held on the following Programme (SICAP). 2017 End of Year dates in 2018: report approved. 2018 Mid-term review approved. Date Attendance gg Presentations provided to the LCDC in 21st February 74% relation to the SICAP Programme. gg LCDC Annual Report 2017 adopted at 4th April 58% February 2018 LCDC meeting. 16th May 74% gg Approved €248,252 for funding under the Community Enhancement Scheme 2018. 31st July 79% Grants were awarded to 47 projects. 5th September 74% gg Ongoing monitoring of the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). 7th November 63% gg Standing Orders were updated and 11th December 63% approved by the LCDC. gg Sub-committees continued their work in the areas of SICAP, LEADER and assessment of The expenses paid to sectoral members in 2018 Grant Scheme applications. totalled €1,699.46. gg Approved €75,000 for funding under the Healthy Ireland Fund 2018 for 8 actions. gg Consideration and approval of LEADER Administration funding and LEADER project funding. The LCDC approved a total of €3,050,783.99 for LEADER projects in 2018. gg LEADER Sub-committee established to oversee delivery of the Local Development Strategy continued working throughout 2018. gg SICAP sub-committee continued their work in 2018.
60 Roscommon County Council Local Community Development Committee Report
Membership of LCDC at 31st December 2018
No. of Pillar Agency / Nominating Body Name of Nominee Nominees
Statutory Interests 9 Cllr. Laurence Fallon Roscommon County Council Local Government 3 Cllr. Paddy Kilduff Members Cllr. Liam Callaghan
Roscommon County Council Mr Eugene Cummins CE Local Authority Officials 2 Executive Ms Louise Ward, Head of LEO
Galway & Roscommon Education Ms. Lynne Keery, State Agency 1 & Training Board Adult Education Officer Mr. Eoin Brown, State Agency Department of Social Protection 1 Principal Officer State Agency Health Service Executive 1 Mr. Eamon Hannan State Agency Teagasc 1 Mr. Tom Kellegher Non Statutory Interests 10 Local & Community Roscommon Leader Partnership 1 Ms Martina Earley, CEO Development Company Public Participation Network (PPN) 1 Ms. Nora Fahy Social Inclusion College PPN 1 Mr. Michael Frain Community & Voluntary PPN 1 Mr. Maurice Gannon College PPN 1 Mr. Mike Carty Environmental College PPN 1 Mr. Alan Moran Social, Economic & Farming & Agriculture 1 Mr. Donal Greene Community Interests Social, Economic & Business Representative 1 Mr. Benny O’Connell Community Interests Social, Economic & Trade Union Representative 1 Mr. John Tansey Community Interests Social, Economic & Brothers of Charity Services 1 Ms. Jodie Healy Community Interests Total Number of Members: 19
LEADER Programme Summary
No. of Projects Value of Projects Original Project Theme Sub-Theme approved to approved to year end Budget (€) year end 2018 2018 (€)
Rural Tourism €700,000 12 €552,772.08 Enterprise €1,900,000 5 €150,861.02 Economic Development Development Rural Towns €750,000 1 €26,343.65 Broadband €250,000 1 €14,760.00 Basic Services €1,981,282 15 €1,281,080.44 Social Inclusion Rural Youth €400,000 1 €32,525.64 Water Resources €200,000 0 €0.00 Rural Biodiversity €200,000 0 €0.00 Environment Renewable Energy €200,000 1 €178,500.00
Totals: €6,581,282 36 €2,173,842.83
Annual Report 2018 61 Corporate Plan 2015-2019 Report
Roscommon County Council’s Corporate Plan 2015-2019 was prepared in accordance with the statutory provisions prescribed in Section 134 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended by Section 49 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and was formally adopted at the January 2015 meeting of the Council.
gg The Corporate Plan is at the core of the Reporting on the Annual Service Delivery Plan Council’s business framework. The Plan was 2018 was carried out by way of the Monthly and prepared on the basis of an organisational Quarterly Management Reports to the Elected wide strategic approach encompassing the Members, internal and external audits processes various activities of the local authority. It and by measurement through the Performance presents a broad framework for action and Indicator process under the National Oversight delivery by Roscommon County Council and Audit Commission (NOAC) guidelines. over a five-year period. Particular aspects of the Annual Service Delivery Plan 2018 were delivered through the 2018 gg The Plan was prepared through an extensive Schedules of Municipal District Works developed consultation process with staff, elected by each Municipal District. members, Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and the Public Implementation of the Corporate Plan in Participation Network (PPN) consultation with the Corporate Policy Group, gg The vision is clear and inclusive with three the Strategic Policy Committees and the Local high level objectives: Community Development Committee was progressed during 2016. gg Leading the economic development of County Roscommon; gg Improving the quality of life and well being for all in County Roscommon; gg Building a modern and innovative organisation through continuous improvement.
A key purpose of the Corporate Plan is to provide a framework within which Annual Service Plans are formulated. Roscommon County Council’s Annual Service Delivery Plan 2018, translated the objectives of the Corporate Plan into detailed supporting strategies and strategies for service delivery which link with annual departmental activities.
62 Roscommon County Council Corporate Plan 2015-2019 Report
Outlined below is a summary of the service delivery for 2018:
gg Annual Service Delivery Plan 2018 prepared gg €1,038,559 was allocated towards Housing and adopted. Aid for Older People and Housing Adaptations for People with a Disability in gg Plenary Meetings, Corporate Policy Group 2018, which was an increase of over €39,321 Meetings, Municipal District Meetings and on 2017. Strategic Policy Committee meetings held. gg Preparation of the Traveller gg Three meetings of the Joint Policing Accommodation Programme 2019-2024 Committee held. commenced in 2018 and a draft plan will be ready for circulation in April 2019. gg Seven meetings of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) were gg A total of €248,252 was allocated to the held. The LCDC Annual Report 2018 was 2018 Community Enhancement Scheme adopted at the February 2018 meeting of and grants were awarded to 47 projects. the LCDC. gg A total of €312,464 was allocated to 11 gg Roscommon County Council’s Culture Schools and Communities under the CLÁR and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022 was 2018 Programme. launched and a comprehensive Creative Ireland Programme was delivered. gg Roads Works Scheme 2018 adopted.
gg The Heritage Office provided and gg Somers Park, a project funded by supported a wide range of projects and Roscommon County Council with the activities. additional support of HARMAC Medical Products, the Department of Children and gg Compliance with Service Level Agreement Youth Affairs and Castlerea Town Team, with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland was opened in July 2018. The project (FSAI). included the construction of a new access road and 33 space car park to Castlerea gg A comprehensive and equitable training outdoor swimming pool and playground, and development programme was the refurbishment and extension of the delivered by the Human Resources existing playground to include access for Department. children and young people with special needs and the landscaping of open spaces gg Community and Amenity Grant Scheme to include areas for picnics and family - 83 projects benefited from this scheme activities. with a total of €60,000 allocated gg The Civic Honour of Freedom of the gg A comprehensive arts and cultural Administrative Area of County Roscommon programme was delivered. was awarded to the artist Mr. Brian O’Doherty at an award ceremony which gg Roscommon Arts Centre hosted 205 took place on 26th April at the Irish ticketed events with 13,000 attending. Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Major refurbishment works commenced Kilmainham, Dublin. at the centre in 2018 with a planned completion date of May 2019. The refurbishments included a visual art space and gallery space.
A full report on the Service Indicators for 2018 is included at Appendix 1.
Annual Report 2018 63 Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018
C: CORPORATE
C1: Total number of wholetime equivalent
A. The whole time equivalent staffing number as at 31 December 2018 388.15
C2: Working days lost to sickness
A. Percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through medically certified leave in 2018 4.30%
B. Percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through self-certified leave in 2018 0.33%
C3: Local authority website and social media usage
A. Total page views of the local authority’s website in 2018 12,787
B. Total number of followers at end 2018 of the LA’s social media accounts 10,558
C4: Overall cost of information and communications technology provision per wholetime equivalent
A. All ICT expenditure in the period from 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2018, divided by the WTE number €3,069.90 supplied under the C1 indicator
E: WASTE / ENVIRONMENT
E1: Number / % of households with access to a 3 bin service
A. The number of households, in an area covered by a licensed operator providing a 3 bin 3339 service at 31/12/2018
B. The % of households within the Local Authority (as per 2016 census) that the number at A 13.93% represents
E2: Number of environmental pollution complaints closed
A1. The total number of pollution cases in respect of which a complaint was made during 2018. 879
A2. The number of pollution cases closed from 1/12/2018 to 31/12/2018 820
A3. The total number of cases on hands at 31/12/2018 200
E3: % of LA area within the 5 levels of litter pollution
A. The % of the area within the LA that when surveyed in 2018 was: 1) unpolluted or litter free Third party 2) slightly polluted data not 3) moderately polluted available at 4) significantly polluted time of print or 5) grossly polluted
E4: Green Flag Status
A. The % of schools that have been awarded the green flag status 16.75%
64 Roscommon County Council Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018
F: FIRE SERVICE
F1: Cost per capita of the Fire Service
A. The Annual Financial Statement (AFS) Programme E expenditure data divided by the population of the LA area per the 2016 Census figures for the population served by the fire authority as per the €63.83 Risk Based Approach Phase One reports
F2: Service mobilisation
A. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in full-time stations in respect 0 - No Full-Time Fire Stations in County of fire Roscommon
B. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in part-time stations 5.86 (retained fire service) in respect of fire minutes C. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in full-time stations in respect 0 - No Full-Time Fire Stations in County of all other (non-fire) emergency incidents Roscommon
D. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in part-time stations 7.72 (retained fire service) in respect of all other (non-fire) emergency incidents minutes
F3: Percentage attendance times at scenes
A. % of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance at the scene is within 10 minutes 19.19% B. % of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance at the scene is after 10 minutes but within 53.49% 20 minutes C. % of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance at the scene is after 20 minutes 27.33% D. % of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance at the scene is 19.47% within 10 minutes E. % of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance at the scene is 61.95% after 10 minutes but within 20 minutes
F. % of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance at the scene is 18.58% after 20 minutes
H: HOUSING
H1: Social housing stock
A. The overall total number of dwellings provided by the local authority in the period 1/1/2018 1,340 to 31/12/2018; comprising: B. The number of dwellings added to the local Authority owned stock during 2018 (whether 18 constructed or acquired)
C. The number of Local Authority owned dwellings sold in 2018 14
D. The number of Local Authority owned dwellings demolished in 2018 0
E. The number of dwellings in the ownership of the Local Authority at 31/12/17 1,344
F. The number of LA dwellings planned for demolition under a DHPLG approved scheme 0
H2: Housing vacancies
A. The percentage of the total number of Local Authority owned dwellings that were vacant on 2.60% 31/12/2018
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Annual Report 2018 65 Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018
H3: Average re-letting time and cost
A. The time taken from the date of vacation of dwelling to the date in 2018 when a new 43.61 tenancy had commenced in the dwelling, averaged across all units re-let during 2018 weeks B. The cost expended on getting the units re-tenanted in 2018 ready for re-letting, averaged €8,431.90 across all units re-let in 2018 H4: Housing maintenance cost
A. Expenditure during 2018 on the repair and maintenance of housing bought or built by the €412.94 LA compiled on a continuous basis from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, divided by the per unit number of directly provided dwellings in the LA stock at 31/12/2018
H5: Private rented sector inspections
A. Total number of registered tenancies in the LA area 2936
B. Number of rented dwellings inspected in 2018 238
C. Percentage of Inspected Dwellings in 2018 that were found not to be compliant with the 81.93% Standards Regulations
D. Number of non-compliant dwellings that became compliant in 2018 61
H6: Long-term homeless adults
A. Number of adult individuals in emergency accommodation that are long-term (i.e. 6 months or more within the previous year) homeless as a % of the total number of homeless adult 0% individuals in emergency accommodation at the end of 2018
J: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
J1: Number of jobs created
A. The number of jobs created with assistance from the Local Enterprise Office during the 80 period 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2018 J2: Trading Online Vouchers
A. The number of trading online voucher applications approved by the Local Enterprise Office in 2018 23
B. The number of those trading online vouchers that were drawn down in 2018 16 J3: No of Mentoring Recipients
A. The number of participants who received mentoring during the period 1 January 2018 to 324 31 December 2018 J4: Tourism
A. Does the Local Authority have a current tourism strategy? Yes
B. Does the Local Authority have a designated Tourism Officer? Yes
L: LIBRARY / RECREATIONAL SERVICES
L1: Library visits and issues
A. Number of visits to libraries per head of population for the LA area as per 2016 census 2.08
B. Number of items issued to library borrowers in the year 158,404
L1: Cost of operating a Library Service
A. The Annual Financial Statement (AFS) Programme F data for 2018 divided by the population €28.88 of the LA area per the 2016 Census
66 Roscommon County Council Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018
M: FINANCE
M1: 5 Year summary of revenue account balance
A. The cumulative surplus balance at 31/12/2014 in the Revenue Account from the Income and €166,849 Expenditure Account Statement of the Annual Financial Statement (AFS) B. The cumulative surplus balance at 31/12/2015 €150,145 C. The cumulative surplus balance at 31/12/2016 €172,692 D. The cumulative surplus balance at 31/12/2017 €183,369 E. The cumulative surplus balance at 31/12/2018 €189,834 F. The cumulative surplus at 31/12/2018 as a percentage of Total Income in 2018 from the 0.31% Income and Expenditure Account Statement of the AFS G. Revenue Expenditure per Capita in 2018 €911.63 M2: 5 Year summary of % collection levels for major revenue sources
A. A. The individual % figures in the final column of Appendix 7 of the Annual Financial Statement (AFS) for 2014 for; Rates 80% Rent & Annuities 93% Housing Loans 53% 2015: Rates 93% Rent & Annuities 89% Housing Loans 75% 2016: Rates 91% Rent & Annuities 92% Housing Loans 58% 2017: Rates 83% Rent & Annuities 91% Housing Loans 56% 2018: Rates 86% Rent & Annuities 92% Housing Loans 55%
P: PLANNING
P1: New buildings inspected A. Buildings Inspected as a percentage of new buildings notified to the local authority 16.75% P2: Number / % of Planning decisions confirmed by An Bord Pleanála A. Number of LA planning decisions which were the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála 19 that were determined by the Board on any date in 2018 B. % of the determinations at A which confirmed (either with or without variation) the decision 68.42% made by the LA P3: % of Planning Enforcement cases closed as resolved A. Total number of planning cases referred to or initiated by the local authority in the period 49 1/1/2018 to 31/12/2018 that were investigated B. Total number of cases that were closed during 2018 37 C. % of the cases at B that were dismissed as trivial, minor or without foundation or were 43.24% closed because statute barred or an exempted development D. % of the cases at B that were resolved to the LA’s satisfaction through negotiations 21.62% E. % of the cases at B that were closed due to enforcement 35.14% F. Total number of planning cases being investigated as at 31/12/2018 121 P4: Cost per capita of the Planning Service A. The Annual Financial Statement (AFS) Programme D data divided by the population of the €35.32 LA area per the 2016 Census
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Annual Report 2018 67 Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018
P5: Application for Fire Safety Certificates A. The percentage of applications for fire safety certificates received in 2018 that were decided 67.57% (granted or refused) within two months of receipt
B. The percentage of applications for fire safety certificates received in 2018 that were decided 18.92% (granted or refused) within an extended period agreed with the applicant
R: ROADS
R1: Ratings in Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI)
A. The % of (a) Regional 99.7% (b) Local Primary 97.2% (c) Local Secondary roads that received a PSCI condition rating in the 24 month period prior to 31/12/2018 and 58.1% (d) Local Tertiary roads that received a PSCI condition rating in the 60 month period to 31/12/2018 79.2% B. The % of total (a) Regional, (b) Local Primary, (c) Local Secondary and (d) Local Tertiary road kilometres represented by the numbers of kilometres at 31/12/2018 rated in each of the following 4 groupings of the 10 PSCI rating categories; 1-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 for each road type. (a) Regional Road At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 1-4 6% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 5-6 19.1% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 7-8 16.9% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 9-10 57.9% (b) Local Primary Road At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 1-4 6.8% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 5-6 51.2% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 7-8 20.1% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 9-10 21.6% (c) Local Secondary Road At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 1-4 16.7% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 5-6 54% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 7-8 15.9% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 9-10 11% (d) Local Tertiary Road At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 1-4 25.4% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 5-6 36% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 7-8 8.1% At 31/12/2018, the % at PSCI rating categories; 9-10 9.7% R2: Regional road grants works
A. Kilometres of regional road strengthened during 2018 and the amount expended on that 14.1km work €2,466,182
0.7km B. Kilometres of regional road resealed during 2018 and the amount expended on that work €29,190
C. Kilometres of local road (i.e. total of primary, secondary and tertiary) strengthened during 160.8km 2018 and the amount expended on that work €6,023,656
133.2km D. Kilometres of local road resealed during 2018 and the amount expended on that work €1,931,527
R3: % of Motor tax transactions conducted online
A. The percentage of motor tax transactions which are dealt with online 54.68% (i.e. transaction is processed and the tax disc is issued)
68 Roscommon County Council Appendix 1: Service Indicators 2018
W: WATER
W1: % Drinking water in private schemes in compliance with statutory requirements
Third party data % Drinking water in private schemes in compliance with statutory requirements not available at time of print
Y: YOUTH / COMMUNITY
Y1: Participation in Comhairle na nÓg scheme
A. Percentage of local schools involved in the local Youth Council/Comhairle na nÓg scheme 88.89% Y2: Groups associated with the Public Participation Network (PPN)
A. The number of organisations included in the County Register at 31/12/2018 (323) and the proportion of those organisations that opted to be part of the Social Inclusion College (44) 4.33% within the PPN
Annual Report 2018 69 Appendix 2: Councillors’ Conferences 2018
Conferences/Seminars attended in Ireland by Roscommon County Council in 2018
Number Date Organiser Conference Name Venue of Cllrs attended 5th -7th Celtic Conferences The Finance Act 2017 The Four Seasons, Carlingford, 1 January County Louth 12th -14th Institute of Local Property Tax LPT 2018 Silver Tassie Hotel, 8 January Professional Training Letterkenny, County Donegal (IPT) 9th -11th IPT Health and Safety for Your Lord Bagenal Hotel, 11 February Council, The Workplace and Leighlinbridge, Carlow Your Constituents 13th February Association of Irish Training for Elected Members Lakeside Manor Hotel, Virginia, 9 Local Government - Module 1: Councillors and County Cavan (AILG) Journalists 17th February AILG Training for Elected Members Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow 7 - Module 1: Councillors and Journalists 23rd - 24th Colmcille Heritage Colmcille Winter School 2018 Colmcille Heritage Centre, 1 February Trust County Donegal 9th -11th March IPT Citizens Assembly or an Whitford House Hotel, 11 Assembly of Citizens Wexford 23rd -25th Celtic Conferences The Eight Amendment - A The Clonakilty Hotel, 2 March Constitutional Minefield Clonakilty, Co. Cork 6th -7th April Local Authorities Spring Training Seminar The Central Hotel, Donegal 13 Members Association Town, Co. Donegal (LAMA) 12th -13th April AILG Annual Conference The Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. 12 Waterford. 26th April Co-Operation Ireland Rural Society in Transition Crowne Plaza, Dundalk, County 3 Louth 11th -13th May IPT Accessibility and Inclusion Sea Lodge Hotel, Waterville, 12 through Infrastructure County Kerry 19th May AILG Training for Elected Members Castle Court Hotel, Westport, 6 - Module 2: Councillors and County Mayo Community Safety 8th -10th June IPT Public Private Partnership - Whitford House Hotel, 10 Opportunity or Threat Wexford 23rd June AILG Training for Elected Members Crown Plaza Hotel, Dundalk, 5 - Module 3: Irish Water and a County Louth Single Public Water Utility 28th June AILG Training for Elected Members Great Northern Hotel, 7 - Module 3: Irish Water and a Bundoran, County Donegal Single Public Water Utility 6th -8th July IPT Local Electoral Area Silver Tassie Hotel, 10 Boundary Commission Letterkenny, County Donegal 22nd -27th July MacGill MacGill Summer School Glenties, Donegal 2
70 Roscommon County Council Appendix 2: Councillors’ Conferences 2018
Conferences/Seminars attended in Ireland by Roscommon County Council in 2018
Number Date Organiser Conference Name Venue of Cllrs attended 11th September AILG Training for Elected Members The Bush Hotel, Carrick on 3 - Module 4: ePlanning and Shannon, County Leitrim The New On-Line Planning Applications System 21st September AILG Training for Elected Members West County Hotel, Birr, 3 - Module 4: ePlanning and County Offaly The New On-Line Planning Applications System 27th -28th Roscommon County Dr Douglas Hyde Doughlas Hyde Centre, 1 September Council Roscommon Portahard, Frenchpark, County Roscommon 28th – 29th LAMA Autumn Training Seminar Castleisland , County Kerry 12 September
13th October AILG Training for Elected Members Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo 7 - Module 5: Local Authority Finance and the Budget Process 12th – 14th Celtic Conferences A Practical Guide to Budget The Four Seasons, Carlingford, 2 October 2019 County Louth 18th October AILG Training for Elected Members Radisson Blu Hotel, Limerick 1 - Module 5: Local Authority Finance and the Budget Process 19th -21st IPT Your Development Plan & Casey's Hotel, Baltimore, West 13 October Climate Change Cork 24th -26th AILG Autumn Training Seminar Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan 13 October 26th -28th Celtic Conferences To Work a Hard Brexit and The Clonakilty Hotel, 1 October its Consequences Clonakilty, County Cork 9th -11th IPT Local Authorities Budget Silver Tassie Hotel, 13 November 2019 Letterkenny, County Donegal. 17th November AILG Training for Elected Members Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, 3 - Module 6: GDPR and the County Kildare Elected Member 22nd November AILG Training for Elected Members Hotel Kilmore, County Cavan 9 - Module 6: GDPR and the Elected Member
23rd - 25th Celtic Conferences Entitlement to a Health The Clonakilty Hotel, 2 November Service Clonakilty, County Cork
27th -28th Co-Operation Ireland Local Government Capacity Bellaghy, Derry 6 November Building Study Visit
14th -15th Celtic Conferences EU Cohesion Policy 2014- Carlingford, County Louth 2 December 2020
The total expenditure for members attendance at training and conferences was €91,988
Annual Report 2018 71 Appendix 3: Councillors’ Committees 2018
List of External Bodies on which Roscommon County Council was formally represented by Councillors in 2018
Elected Members representing Committee Title Purpose of the Committee Roscommon County Council
Association of Irish Local The Association organises a programme Councillors Connolly, Creaton, Government (AILG) of meetings which help members give Fallon, Callaghan, Mulligan and Aontas Rialtas Áitiúil na voice to current issues in Council life. Naughten hÉireann The AILG is a networking, policy development and training resource for the elected members of Ireland’s thirty- one County and City Councils.
Northern and Western Managing and monitoring the EU funded Councillors Dineen and Murphy Regional Assembly operational programmes in the BMW Region.
County Roscommon An advisory body to oversee and advise Councillor Murphy Heritage Forum on the preparation and implementation of the County Roscommon Heritage Plan.
Galway Roscommon This committee is responsible for the Councillors Connaughton, Education & Training governance of all educational and Mulligan and Shanagher Board (ETB) administrative services provided by Galway Roscommon ETB.
Irish Public Bodies Committee required as IPB is a mutual Councillor Keogh Mutual Insurances company. Limited (IPB)
Local Authority Members Represents members of the County Councillor Ward Association (LAMA) Councils at county, city and borough level. An association for the betterment of conditions, education and training for members.
Local Traveller To advise on the provision Councillors Connolly, Cummins Accommodation and management of Traveller and Shanagher Consultative Committee accommodation. (LTACC)
Regional Health Forum To ensure that local elected Councillors Creaton, Cummins West representatives would continue to have and Dineen an opportunity to exercise oversight of the health and personal social services provided by the HSE.
72 Roscommon County Council Appendix 3: Councillors’ Committees 2018
List of External Bodies on which Roscommon County Council was formally represented by Councillors in 2018
Elected Members representing Committee Title Purpose of the Committee Roscommon County Council
River Suck Joint To oversee the ongoing maintenance of Councillors Connaughton, Drainage Committee the River Suck Drainage District. Dineen, Fizmaurice, Kilduff and Naughten
Road Safety Together To make the roads in County Councillors Connolly, Dineen Committee Roscommon a safer place for all road and Doherty users.
Roscommon Comhairle Local youth council, which support Councillors Kilduff and na nÓg Steering children and young people to be heard Shanagher Committee in the development of local services and policies. The steering committee helps young people to access and engage with the local authority and with decision- making bodies in the county.
Roscommon County Advising the Council on financial Councillors Cummins and Ward Council Audit Committee reporting processes, internal control, risk management and audit matters, promoting good accounting practices, ensuring better and more informed decision-making, and improving the focus on value for money throughout the organisation.
Roscommon County To serve as a forum for consultations, Councillors Connaughton Council Joint Policing discussions and recommendations on Connolly, Creaton, Dineen, Committee matters affecting the policing of the local Doherty, Fallon, Fitzmaurice, authority’s administrative area. Callaghan, Kilduff, Murphy, Naughten, Shanagher and Ward
Rural Water – Local To advise on the operation of and to Councillors Cummins, Dineen Monitoring Committee monitor the implementation of the Rural and Callaghan Water Programme locally.
Údarás na hOllscoile Responsible for managing and controlling Councillor Cummins Governing Authority, all of the affairs of the University and is National University of composed of members of the academic Ireland, Galway staff, the student body and several external members.
Western Inter-County This committee is committed to the re- Councillor Dineen, Callaghan Rail Committee opening of the Western Rail Corridor. and Kilduff
Annual Report 2018 73 Notes
74 Roscommon County Council Notes
Annual Report 2018 75 Chief Executive
Eugene Cummins Chief Executive
Management Team
Majella Hunt Director of Services, Governance and Enterprise (including Library Services), Athlone Municipal District, Special Projects and Regeneration.
Shane Tiernan Director of Services, Roads and Transportation, Emergency Services, Environment, Building Control, Governance and Corporate Affairs, Human Resources and Boyle Municipal District.
Martin Lydon Director of Housing, Planning, Information and Communication Technologies, Water Services, Roscommon Municipal District and Head of Finance.
Senior Officers
Mary Lindsay Head of Human Resources
Louise Ward Head of LEO
Frank Guckian Head of Information Systems
Pat Murtagh Senior Executive Officer, Community and Enterprise
Fíona Ni Chuinn Senior Executive Officer, Water Services
Greg O’Donnell Acting Senior Executive Officer, Housing
John O’Rourke Senior Engineer, Water Services and Special Projects
Kieran Madden Senior Engineer, Environment and Assets and Energy Management
Eugene Dwyer Senior Engineer, Roads and Transportation
Martin Curley Senior Engineer, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Regional Office
Mary Grier Senior Planner
Mary Butler Acting County Librarian
John Keane Chief Fire Officer
Michael Leyden Veterinary Inspector
Sean Mullarkey Financial Management Accountant
76 Roscommon County Council Rin Dúin Castle Lough Key Forest Park
Roscommon County Council
Áras an Chontae, Roscommon,
County Roscommon, F42 VR98 www.roscommon.ie Tel: +353 (0)90 6637100 RoscommonCountyCouncil Fax: +353 (0)90 6625599
Email: [email protected] @roscommoncoco