National Development Plan is Delivering a Better Quality of Life for the people of Laois

The National Development Plan continued to deliver further social and economic advances in Co. Laois over the past year.  Essential services, including childcare, education and social housing, training and employment programmes, healthcare and physical infrastructure, saw further investment during 2007.

The year saw the launch of the current National Development Plan (NDP), which is the most ambitious in the history of the State. Between now and 2013, €184 billion will be invested in building a more prosperous Ireland for everyone. Virtually all the funding for the Plan is coming from our own resources. 

The overall purpose of the Plan is to keep economic growth strong, to build a fairer society, and to ensure that all the regions of the country benefit. That is why it is called Transforming Ireland – A Better Quality of Life for All.

The NDP also provides a strategy that can address the regional imbalance in our economic development, promote environmental sustainability and underpin ever greater co-operation throughout the island.

It builds on the significant social and economic achievements of the previous NDP (2000-2006). The past twelve months has seen the completion of many important programmes under that plan, and the roll-out of the first phase of spending under the current one.

Nationally, the Plan provides €54.6 billion for investment in economic infrastructure; €49.6 billion for social inclusion measures (children, people with disabilities, etc.); €33.6 billion for social infrastructure (housing, health, justice, etc.); €25.8 billion for human capital (schools, training, higher education, etc.), and €20 billion for enterprise, science and innovation.

Locally, in Co. Laois, a wide range of investments in 2007 saw further progress in delivering a whole range of improved social and economic services.
 
The demand for childcare has increased significantly in recent years and the Plan continues with significant investment in this key area, including capital grants and funding for approved community-based childcare projects, particularly those in disadvantaged areas.
 
Childcare services in Co. Laois were allocated funding of €1.4 million in 2007 and projects that benefited include Darling Buds Montessori, Mountmellick and the Killadooley Childcare Group.

Providing new schools in developing areas and making sure that the accommodation in existing schools is of a modern standard is a priority under the National Development Plan. Under the devolved scheme, 4 schools in the county received funding to manage their own school building projects. Under the Summer Works Scheme, 15 schools in Co. Laois received a total of €1m. Schools in receipt of grant aid under the scheme include Coláiste åosagáin, Portarlington, St. Fergal’s College, Rathdowney and Stradbally Convent.

A number of health projects were completed in Laois in 2007, including the New A&E Unit in the Midlands Hospital Portlaoise, which received funding of over €8 million and funding of over €6 million was provided for the Dementia Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick.

Employment opportunities are a major factor in helping people to overcome poverty and social exclusion, and while social welfare income supports must be adequate, the NDP aims to increase social and economic participation by helping people achieve full-time employment, or other progression options such as training and education.

Hundreds of local people are employed due to participation on a wide range of FÁS training courses and a range of other programmes for unemployed persons, including apprenticeships, vocational training and in-company training.

Co Laois received over €24 million for social housing construction in 2007, and projects funded include ones in Camross, Errill and Portlaoise.

Funding of over €1.5 million for voluntary housing was also provided during the year and projects funded included those at The Green, Stradbally and Kiln Lane, Mountrath.

The Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which was a pilot project under the previous NDP is now being rolled out permanently throughout the country. This flexible, door to door service provides regular access to shopping, health services, education, day-care and social activities.

Laois Transport for Rural Integration Programme Ltd. provides services to rural communities in Co. Laois.

Industry and jobs have been created in the county through the support of the NDP funded County Enterprise Board (CEB). The Laois CEB was allocated €740,000 in 2007 and 25 different projects were grant aided during the year.  Companies supported include Portlaoise Stone Centre Ltd. and Chemregen.

The first National Women’s Enterprise Day, hosted by the County and City Enterprise Boards, was launched during the year. It aims to assist women across the country in running their own business.

During 2007, the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme (LDSIP) continued to fund local Partnerships including the Mountmellick Community Development Association and the Portlaoise Community Action Project. 

These agencies promote social inclusion through actions focused on job creation, placement and training; improving the life chances of young people through participation in education under programmes like Youthreach; and a range of community development activities.

Another priority of the NDP is the implementation of the Transport 21 programme including the building of top-class inter-urban roads between Dublin and the Gateway regions of the country. These are vital to improving the competitiveness of Irish business and industry, and facilitating further inward investment.

Over €45 million was allocated to Co Laois for national road improvements and maintenance. Major schemes under currently under construction include the N8 Portlaoise to Cullahill/Castletown and the M8/N8 Cullahill to Cashel  Road. In addition, over €12 million was allocated to non-national roads in the county in 2007 including the Western Circular (Clonminam Link), Portlaoise and Killmullen Bridge.

The NDP also provides funding for the roll-out of quality broadband services across the country. The second phase of the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) will see the roll-out of broadband infrastructure to many more towns. Mountmellick and Portarlington have been selected for this scheme in Co. Laois

The allocation under the Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 to upgrade and expand water treatment capacity, improve drinking water quality and supply and improve and expand wastewater treatment in Co Laois was almost €134 million.

Projects to benefit in 2007 were the Portarlington Water Supply Scheme and the Mountmellick Sewerage Scheme. 

Co. Laois received an allocation of over €93,000 for tourism development in 2007. This funding was allocated to a comprehensive re-signing project in the Slieve Blooms.

A spokesperson for the NDP said: “Building on the success of the last seven year Plan, the current 2007-2013 NDP is a very ambitious roadmap for further transforming Irish society for the better. The major improvements of the past number of years are there for all to see, and the core objectives of the previous Plan remain the driving force for the new one.

“They are to continue building a successful economy, promoting greater social equality and delivering more balanced regional development across the country”.

-Ends-

Note to Editor

The figures given in this release are provisional expenditure figures. The final end of year figures (actual expenditure & grant aid approved) will be available early in 2008 from the relevant Government Departments.