NDP DELIVERING IN LONGFORD

In 2005, approximately €8 billion was invested nationally under the National Development Plan (NDP). This brings investment in the first six years of the NDP to an estimated €44 billion nationwide. The NDP is funded primarily by the Exchequer with support from the EU Structural Funds.

To date almost €10.9 million has been approved for childcare facilities, supports for staffing, capacity building and the general improvement of childcare provision in Longford . Childcare services in County Longford which have benefited from support include: - Kenagh Community Co-operative Society Ltd.; Drumlish Community Playgroup, Drumlish and Longford Methodist Church, Battery Road, Longford

Over €7.7million was allocated to non-national roads in Longford in 2005. The funding was designated for work on projects such as the L1056/L1044 Ballinalee – Molly Aughnacliffe road; the LT51222 Barrack Lane and Industrial Park road; the
R194 Lisnamuck Business Park Development; and the R198 Longford road.

National roads projects have also advanced in Longford with construction work continuing on the N4 Edgeworthstown Bypass. The scheme, which is approximately 3km long, is expected to be completed in 2007.

Water services work is continuing on nutrient reduction on the Edgeworthstown Sewerage Scheme and construction work has commenced on the Clondra Sewerage Scheme.

In 2005, the County Council allocated €30,000 under waste management for a community compost facility in the Farnagh Estate in Longford Town. This facility will allow estate householders to bring household organic waste for composting with the end-products being used in gardens in the community.

The Rural Transport Initiative (RTI) continued to provide transport services around the county. North Longford RTI serves the rural communities of north Co. Longford and provides community- based door-to-door, flexible transport services which facilitates passengers to access shopping, health, day-care and social activities on a regular basis. Services are also scheduled to link with public and private transport services locally.

Longford County Enterprise Board (CEB) received €146,005 in 2005 to promote the development of small and micro enterprises in the county. Projects supported since 2000 have resulted in the creation of new employment and capital investment. They include: Dolan Foods, Longford Town; Corry Auto Engineering, Ardagh; Siul Footwear, Granard and Ultraflight Ireland Ltd., Abbeyshrule. The CEB continued to support enterprise through the provision of training initiatives and mentoring services.

Longford is one of over 90 towns included in the second phase of the Government's Broadband Action Plan, which will see the rollout of broadband to towns with a population of more than 1,500 over the next three years.

Youthreach is part of a national programme of second-chance education and training. It is aimed at people who left school early and aims to give them the opportunity of building their self-confidence and gaining a range of qualifications. Youthreach Programmes are available in Ballymahon and Granard.

151 local authority houses are currently under construction in the county and include schemes at Newtownforbes, Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown, Aughnacliffe, Colehill, Drumlish, Lanesboro and Granard. Planning permission has been obtained for 109 housing units at Townspark. This development will consist of 89 social housing units and 20 affordable housing units.

The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) continues to fund Longford Community Resources Ltd, which focuses its work on the most marginalised communities in the county. It promotes social inclusion through job creation, placement and training and improving the life chances of young people through participation in education. It also provides community development activity aimed at building the capacity of disadvantaged communities to take a lead role in the process of change in their own communities. Initiatives in 2005 include the Longford Traveller Movement, a programme set up to work with travellers in Longford on issues such as accommodation, health, education, employment and discrimination.

" Significant progress has been made over the first five years of the NDP. As each year goes by we can see the impact of this investment on the ground. Government Departments, state agencies, local authorities, VECs, county enterprise boards, FÁS and community groups are all involved in the successful delivery of the NDP at a local level." an NDP spokesperson said.

The National Development Plan aims to improve the quality of life for everybody by investing in infrastructure, people, industry and enterprise and regional development.

Note to Editor
The figures given in this release are provisional expenditure figures and grant aid approved to December. The final end of year figures (actual expenditure & grant aid approved) will be available early in 2006 from the relevant Government Departments.