In 2004, over €8 billion was invested nationally under the National Development Plan (NDP). This brings investment in the first five years of the NDP to an estimated €36 billion nationwide. The NDP is funded primarily by the Exchequer with support from the EU Structural Funds.

NDP investment in County Laois includes:-

Health projects have been advanced with the opening in of the Department of Psychiatry at Midland Regional Hospital at Portlaoise. This new department provides accommodation for up to 50 patients with male and female admission units as well as a dedicated six-bedded unit for Later Life Psychiatry. The unit is part of a major €20 million development of the hospital.

National roads projects have also advanced in Laois. Planning of the M7/M8 motorway scheme (Portlaoise/Castletown/Cullahill) is currently being advanced by Laois County Council.

Over €7 million was allocated to non-national roads in Laois in 2004. The funding was designated for work on projects such as R420 Killmullen Bridge and the Western Circular (Clonminam Link), Portlaoise.

Under water services, Portlaoise Water Supply Emergency works have been completed. Construction work on stage two of this project along with Portarlington Water Supply emergency work will commence shortly.

Since 2000 over €5.3 million has been approved for childcare facilities, supports for staffing, capacity building and the general improvement of childcare provision in Laois. Childcare services in County Laois which have benefited from support include:- Spink Community Development Association, Darling Buds Montessori, Portlaoise, Clonaslee Community Childcare and Sonas, a purpose built childcare centre operated by Mountmellick Development Association.

Waste Management initiatives supported by the NDP include the provision of bring bank facilities throughout the county and the provision of green waste composting facilities at Kyletalesha Landfill site.

Laois rural transport service, Laois TRIP is continuing to serve rural communities in the county with door-to-door pre-booked services. Laois TRIP operates three routes from Errill to Rathdowney, Clonaslee to Portlaoise / Ballyfin to Portlaoise and another route serving Coolrain to Mountrath.

Portlaoise is benefiting from investment in Midland Regional Broadband project which is providing cheap always-on access to the Internet which is vital for business and invaluable for education, health and research bodies. The 19 km of network in Portlaoise are now live and are part of the €12 million broadband network in the Midlands. This project is funded under the Government's Regional Broadband Programme and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Laois County Enterprise Board paid out grant aid €199,956 in 2004 to promote the development of small and micro enterprises in the county. Notable projects supported since 2000, which have resulted in the creation of new employment and capital investment, include Manor Stone Quarries Ltd, Cast Concrete Components Ltd. and Michael Bell Design Furnituremakers, which represented Laois at the National Enterprise Awards. The CEB continued to support enterprise through the provision of training initiatives and mentoring services.

The Youthreach programme in Moutmellick 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.
Laois County Council housing schemes under construction in 2004 include social houses at Arles Phase 1 & 2, Castletown, Davitt Road in Mountmellick and Colliers Lane, Portlaoise. Affordable housing schemes have also been completed at Balladine in Abbeyleix, Radharc Álainn in Arles and Acragar in Mountmellick.

Voluntary housing schemes currently in progress include: Balladine, Abbeyleix and the Green, Stradbally.

In 2004 funding was allocated to urban and village renewal projects at Ballyroan, Ballylynan, Timahoe and Portlaoise. Work includes soft and hard landscaping, “old world” lighting and the provision of street furniture such as seating, plaques and tree guards.

Over 170 people have benefited from Laois Rural Employment Partnership (LREP) which assists farm family members to secure off-farm employment. This unique initiative receives European Social Funding through the EQUAL Community Initiative and funding is provided from FAS, the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Social & Family Affairs.

The Local Development Social Inclusion Programme continues to fund Mountmellick Development Association and Portlaoise Community Action Project. Both organisations focus on job creation, placement and training in the most marginalised communities in the county and provide support for young people through education. Notable initiatives in 2004 included the piloting of an innovative outreach course in disability studies, in partnership with NUI Maynooth.

“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, FAS 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 & 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 in Spring 2005 from the relevant Government Departments.