Local Authority News - Vol. 41. No. 1

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• Bluesky LiDAR and aerial photography supports architectural consultancy develop successful planning applications in areas of environmental importance • Council welcomes €9.79 9.79 announcement under the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund for Project Carlow 2040 • Residents reap benefits from Sligo’s €6m retrofitting scheme for Local Authority housing

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CONTENTS 41 No. 1

FEATURES COUNCIL WELCOMES €9.79 ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER THE URBAN REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR PROJECT CARLOW 2040 3 BLUESKY LIDAR AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPORTS ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANCY DEVELOP SUCCESSFUL PLANNING APPLICATIONS IN AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE 7 NEW EPA RADON MAPS SHOW MORE HOMES AND WORKPLACES AT RISK FROM CANCER-CAUSING GAS. 9

Published by: ENVIROAIR UNDERFLOOR HEATING, FOR COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY (FIREBIRD)

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CONTRACTOR APPOINTED TO LDA’S FIRST AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DLRCC 12 GRANT JOINS OCTABUILD

GILTRON LTD RIVERVIEW LODGE, DUBLIN ROAD, NAVAN, CO. MEATH. Tel: 00353 46 9072841 Email: info@localauthoritynews.ie Website: www.localauthoritynews.ie

ISSN NO. 1393-0394 LOCAL AUTHORITY NEWS is available FREE OF CHARGE and ON LINE to all Local and Central Government Bodies throughout Ireland.

Published bi-monthly it is disseminated to Local Authority Managers, Assistant Managers, County Secretaries, Finance Officers, Principal Officers, Department Heads, County Engineers, City Engineers, Chief Quantity Surveyors, Senior Architects, Plant Superintendents, Senior Executive Engineers, Town Clerks, Purchasing Officers, Administrative Officers, Inspectors, Park Superintendents, County Librarians, etc. in all Government Departments, County Councils, Corporations, Office of Public Works, Urban District Councils, StateSponsored and Development Bodies and Agencies.

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MID WEST NATIONAL ROAD DESIGN OFFICE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 17 RESIDENTS REAP BENEFITS FROM SLIGO’S €6M RETROFITTING SCHEME FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING

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WHY AN INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM MAKES SENSE FOR THE WAY THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKS TODAY. (IP TELECOM) JOINT COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HERITAGE PUBLISHES URBAN REGENERATION REPORT; MAKES RECOMMENDATIONSON INCENTIVES, ENFORCEMENT AND RESOURCING 22 GRANT AERONA³ R32 AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WINS PRESTIGIOUS INDUSTRY AWARD

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21 NEW HOMES FOR OLDER PERSONS AT BROADFORD COURT, BALLINTEER

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IT’S NOT JUST A MOTORWAY…IT’S A BEEWAY! (TII) DUBLIN REGION LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO DEPLOY 1,650 EV CHARGE POINTS BY 2025 (EASYGO)

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DUBLIN CITY’S NEWEST PARK OPENS TO THE PUBLIC

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REGULARS IRISH WATER UPDATES

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CLASSFIEDS

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Council welcomes €9.79 announcement under the Urban Re gener ation & Development Fund for Project Car low 2040 A total of €9.79 million has been awarded under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) for key projects identified in ʻProject Carlow 2040ʼ, and combined with match funding by Carlow County Council, this will see an overall regeneration investment of €13 million into the south-east town over the next 20 years.

Strategically located in the SouthEast Region, Carlow Town plays a pivotal role with strong links to the Midlands and the Greater Dublin Area, supported by good access to transport infrastructure. Carlow is a regional centre for education, healthcare, public services, shopping and arts, culture, leisure, and recreation for a wide area extending into Laois, Kildare and Wicklow. Carlow Townʼs masterplan ʻProject Carlow 2040 – A Vision for Regeneration & Developmentʼ will seek to reinforce the critical role of the town centre as the heart of Carlow Town, providing attractiveand accessible public spaces with new pedestrian linkages. Project Carlow 2040 has envisaged the development of several intervention areas, which will play a central role in delivering the objectives outlined in the strategy over the next 20 years. The overall aim of the masterplan is develop the thriving, vibrant and sustainable town centre as a destination not just for shopping but also for tourists attracted to the unique architectural, cultural and heritage attributes of Carlowʼs townscape.

TOWN CENTRE EARMARKED Welcoming the funding Cllr Tom OʼNeill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, said the people of Carlow can now “look forward to a major regeneration of their county town, including the development of attractive and accessible public spaces with new pedestrian linkages, which will support an improved quality of life for all who work, live, and visit”.The Cathaoirleach paid tribute to fellow elected members, the Mayor and members of Carlow Municipal District, council officials, community and business representatives who supported thedevelopment of ʻProject Carlow 2040ʼ.

He also thanked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OʼBrien, on behalf of the council and community, for the URDF funding which, he added “will help to start to realise this vision for Carlow Town”.

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www.glasdon.com

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Pictured at the official launch of ʻProject Carlow 2040ʼ in November 2020 (l-r): Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council, Tom OʼNeill, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, and Cllr Fergal Browne, Mayor of Carlow Municipal District.

“REAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE” The Chief Executive of Carlow County Council, Kathleen Holohan, said: “Weʼre delighted that our application for funding under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund has been successful and it will assist the council in delivering a transformed town centre.

“The allocation of €9.79 million to Carlow Town represents a real vote of confidence by the Government in the future of Carlow Town and recognises the value of local collaboration and consultation when putting resources into rebuilding, recovering, and renewing town centres.”

Holohan conveyed her thanks to all those who engaged Carlow County Council during the application development. These included the elected members, public representatives, property owners, Carlow Town Development Forum, County Carlow Chamber, IT Carlow, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Carlow College, Carlow Tourism, Carlow Farmers Market, An Garda Síochána, St Catherineʼs Community Services Centre, Carlow Regional Youth Services and Failte Ireland, in shaping and developing the URDF application.

“Carlow County Council is determined to take the lead when it comes to driving economic development and attracting national investment in key capital projects not just in Carlow Town but across the County,” she noted.

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INNOVATIVE PROJECTS Outlining the project proposals to be developed under this funding, Michael Rainey, Carlow County Councilʼs Director of Services, explained: “This URDF funding provides for a series of ambitious and innovative regeneration projects to be delivered over the next number of years, designed to enhance the town from the viewpoint of connectivity, experience and wellbeing. ” He said that the funding will facilitate three major regeneration interventions.

The first element is the Barrack Street Pedestrian Link, which will see the creation of a pedestrian and cycle-friendly space connecting Potato Market to Barrack Street and the introduction of planting and seating to improve the public realm. The second of these elements will involve major renewal and improvement measures to Barrack St, Shamrock Square, Kennedy Avenue and Tullow Street. The final element is the creation of a new pedestrian and cycle-friendly linkage from the Railway Station to the town centre through Carlow College.

Explaining the process for the development of these projects, Rainey said that each element of the project will be designed “in partnership with our key stakeholders and will be subject to the Part VIII planning process where we look forward to hearing the views of the public and our continued positive engagement with representative organisations and the general public”.

The aim is to also reintegrate the River Barrow through the development of pedestrian walkways and key sites along the river.

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The Mayor of Carlow Municipal District, Cllr Fergal Browne. said, “This is a game changer for Carlow Town and its future regeneration as envisioned in Project Carlow 2040,” as he welcomed the funding, and thanked fellow members in Carlow Municipal District for supporting the development of this application.

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Bluesky LiDAR and aerial photography supports architectural consultancy develop successful planning applications in areas of environmental importance A Dublin based architectural consultancy is using data from aerial survey and mapping company Bluesky International to ensure the planning process is conducted as efficiently and smoothly as possible for its clients, even when the build locations are in areas of environmental importance such as UNESCO sites.

Dublin Design Studio is an award-winning architecture and design firm specialising in high end, bespoke dwelling projects in Ireland. Ensuring their designs respond to and enhance their locations is a must and something that they consider from the outset of any project.

Planning applications are submitted after careful analysis by the Dublin Design Studio team using Blueskyʼs LiDAR, Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Aerial Photography. The GIS data is combined with street view data and overlaid with additional imagery captured by drones and site analysis, meaning the team has a holistic view of the area they are working in and can assess any design changes needed at an early stage, a critical part of getting projects through planning seamlessly.

David Craig is one of the founders of the company and he explains: “We use the Bluesky data in the early stages of our projects so we can assess, and therefore demonstrate, to planners the visual effect of our build.

We determine the impact from an environmental and infrastructure perspective. The data enables us to showcase how the build or project will appear from a number of different viewpoints, which can often be inaccessible, allowing the planners to accurately understand the impact of the proposals. We work in areas that can be challenging, including within UNESCO sites, so ensuring that we integrate the build sensitively is crucial and this is where the data really supports us.

“We integrate the Bluesky data into our 3D software and we continuously and rapidly update the imagery as we develop our designs. For example, we can see how the visual impact would be affected if a group or line of trees were removed, for example.”

Locations for the properties and extensions are often in beautiful locations or areas of environmental importance and how these builds blend into their surroundings and where they can be viewed from is a key part of what local authority planners will consider at the application phase.

Ralph Coleman, Sales Director at Bluesky, said: “Itʼs always exciting when our datasets are used in a creative way to solve problems. Aerial imagery and LiDAR offer a different perspective and can provide huge benefits to developers and planners looking to get an early visualisation of their project.”

Find out more about Blueskyʼs products and how they can support your project visit: www.bluesky-world.com

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New EPA Radon maps show more homes and workplaces at risk from cancer-causing gas.

The EPA has published new radon maps for Ireland that update the radon risk assessment for the country.

170,000 homes in the country are now predicted to be at risk from radon. This is an increase of 45,000 homes from the previous estimate in 2002.

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas, and every year in Ireland 350 new lung cancer cases are linked to exposure to radon. You can check if your home is at risk/the level of risk of your home through the new Eircode map search on the EPA website. The EPA urges all householders and businesses, especially those in high radon areas, to test for radon.

Testing for radon is simple and fixing a radon problem will reduce the risk to your health from this radioactive gas. May 26th 2022: New radon maps, launched by the Environmental Protection Agency today at the National Radon Forum, show an increased risk from radon in Ireland, with 170,000 homes now predicted to be at risk of radon exposure above the national reference level. This is an increase of 45,000 homes, from the previous estimate in 2002. The new maps update the radon risk assessment for the country and show that large parts of the country - particularly in Munster and Connaught - have been found to be at increased risk from radon.

The map is based on work completed by Trinity College Dublin, Geological Survey of Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute alongside the EPA. Michéal Lehane, EPA Director, speaking at todayʼs National Radon Forum said: “Radon is a serious public health hazard. The new maps combine thousands of radon measurements, with detailed geological information, and are a significant revision of the previous map from 2002. More importantly, the new maps make it easy for everyone to find out the radon risk in their local area using the eircode search on the EPA website . We urge people to test for radon as this is the only way of protecting you and your family from this cancer-causing gas”.

Employers too have a responsibility to ensure that their employees are protected from exposure to this radioactive gas. Yvonne Mullooly, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), welcomed publication of the new radon maps saying: “Employers in high radon areas are obliged to test their workplaces for radon. The new maps enable them to clearly identify where they are legally obliged to test, so allows for targeting of resources in the areas where the risk from radon is highest. The HSA will continue to support employers by providing information, and through our on-line risk assessment BeSMART tool www.BeSMART.ie.”

Radon testing is simple and inexpensive and, where necessary, reducing high radon levels in a building is also straight forward.

The maps are now available on the EPAʼs website and are searchable

by Eircode and by address.

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Enviroair Underfloor Heating, for Comfort and Efficiency Taking advantage of one of the most basic laws of physics, that heat rises, Firebirdʼs Enviroair Underfloor Heating is far more efficient than traditional radiators when heating a home as it provides a steady, even temperature throughout the house.

Whether you are building a new house or upgrading, “wet” underfloor heating creates a more comfortable environment than the air provided by conventional radiators.

Firebird Enviroair Underfloor Heating is suitable for a wide range of ground and upper floor constructions and can easily be combined with radiator systems for extensions and conservatories.

Firebird Enviroair Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating generally runs at 45°C as opposed to 80°C used in radiator systems, which saves hugely on energy and running costs, especially when used with a renewable heat source like an Air Source Heat Pump. Enviroair Underfloor Heating kits from Firebird contain all the components required for use with the Firebird Enviroair Air Source Heat Pump.

A “wet” underfloor heating system is like a giant radiator at floor level. A series of plastic pipes are connected to a heat source to circulate warm water throughout the floor to heat the space by producing radiant heat. Since the floor (the radiator) is so large and the heat is more evenly distributed, it only needs to run at a low temperature to heat the room. This means that the water flowing around the floor needs to be at a far lower temperature than a traditional radiator system. The underfloor heating system heats the living area in the room, whilst the heat from the radiator system collects at the ceiling - a much less efficient heating method.

Firebirdʼs Enviroair Underfloor Heating is a Multilayer Railing system. The Multilayer Pipe with an embedded aluminium layer is oxygen tight. Despite being highly flexible, this multilayer pipe is characterised by high tenacity and fatigue strength. The fixing of the underfloor heating pipes takes place with the help of the selfadhesive fixing rails. A rail installation has the advantage that the heating circuits can be changed as desired without damaging the underlying insulation. It provides a good acoustic as the impact noise insulation is not penetrated.

Designed to achieve the highest possible levels of efficiency, Firebird products not only provide a heating solution that is cost-effective, but one that will stand the test of time.

For more information visit www.firebird.ie or email sales@firebird.ie

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Contractor appointed to LDAʼs first affordable housing project in partnership with DLRCC • Walls Construction will start building 597 new homes in September 2022 • 100% affordable and social housing delivered in partnership with DLRCC • Project certified to passive house sustainability standard

The Land Development Agency (LDA) has appointed the contractor for the development of 597 new homes at Shanganagh, Co. Dublin, with work on site to commence in September. The project is being delivered in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and will be devoted 100% to affordable and social homes.

On completion, this will be the largest public housing scheme in the State, delivering on the LDAʼs mission to unlock state land to deliver large-scale affordable housing projects. It will be a mixed tenure project with the breakdown as follows: 51% cost rental (306 homes), 15% affordable purchase (91 homes) and 34% social housing (200 homes). The first completed homes are expected at the end of 2024.

Councillor Mary Hanafin, An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said: One of my priorities as Cathaoirleach will be the provision of housing and I am looking forward to construction starting on this major project in September. This development of 597 homes at Shanganagh will offer a mix of accommodation for single people, couples and families and will all be affordable and social homes.

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Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: We are proud to partner with the LDA on this development of 597 homes at Shanganagh which will be to the highest international environmental & sustainability standards. This innovative scheme will be the largest in the world certified to achieve the ʻpassive houseʼ low energy use standard.

Following a competitive tender process, Walls Construction has been appointed to lead the project and has extensive experience in delivering large-scale residential construction schemes. The development will offer a mix of accommodation suitable for single people, couples, and families with 99 of the new homes to have 3 bedrooms. Amenities will include extensive communal green space, a playground, a creche, a convenience store and café.

The site occupies approximately 9 hectares adjacent to Shanganagh Castle, Shanganagh Park and Castle Farm and will be within 10 minutesʼ walk of the proposed new DART station at Woodbrook and Bus Connects route on the nearby Dublin Road (N11).

The development has been specified to the highest international environmental and sustainability standards and will be the largest scheme in the world certified to achieve the ʻpassive houseʼ low energy use standard.

Sustainability features include very low energy demand, very low car parking provision (0.54 spaces per home), very high bicycle parking provision of over 1,300 spaces, and design features to make working from home easier.

Darragh OʼBrien TD, Minister for Housing, said: “This is real progress towards providing much needed social and affordable homes in what is one of the most expensive local authority areas in the country. The LDA is central to our Housing for All plan and are working closely with our Local Authorities to deliver social and affordable housing in significant sites across our cities and towns. I look forward to construction beginning in the coming months.”

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA, said: “This is a significant milestone in delivering what will be the largest public housing scheme in the State. It is an example of the LDA working in close partnership with a local authority to find new ways to deliver affordable homes on council land, and I want to thank Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for their support.

We are particularly excited about the high environmental standards of the buildingsʼ specifications. All homes will be delivered to ʻpassive houseʼ standard, making them cheaper to heat for residents and reducing their carbon emissions. Shanganagh is one of several major schemes the LDA is progressing in order to deliver on our mission of addressing the housing crisis by accelerating the delivery of affordable housing on State land.”

Eugene OʼShea, Chief Executive of Walls Construction, said: “Walls Construction is delighted to be selected as the construction partner for the LDAʼs Shanganagh development. We look forward to building this major residential project which has been designed to the highest environmental specification, and we are pleased that our experience in delivering large scale schemes will be used to complete this development of social and affordable homes.”

In recent weeks, the LDA has submitted four planning applications which will, if approved, deliver 2,358 homes in schemes that will be 100% affordable and social housing.

The LDA is also making good progress on its Project Tosaigh initiative to deliver 5,000 new homes by unlocking land in private ownership that has full planning permission but where delivery has stalled due to financing and other constraints. Proposals from potential partners are currently under consideration through a formal expressions of interest process, with an announcement of the first schemes expected shortly.

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Grant joins Octabuild Renowned for its innovation and manufacturing excellence, Grant has announced its membership of Octabuild in a move that will see the company strengthen its relations in the building and construction industry and showcase its award-winning home heating technologies.

A unique organisation among representative groups in the building and construction industry, Octabuild was established in 1984 with the objective of promoting the benefits of high quality, Irish manufactured products for the building, construction and DIY sectors.

(L-R) Niall Fay, Director and Stephen Grant, Founder, Grant Engineering

Ray Molyneaux, Chairman of Octabuild said: ʻOctabuild companies are committed to excellence in providing an efficient and reliable service to builders merchants based on a core set of values, including innovation, leadership, sustainability and partnership. We are delighted to welcome Grant to join Dulux, Etex Ireland, Glennon Brothers, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan Insulation and Wavin Ireland in delivering on this mission into the future.”

Stephen Grant, Founder of Grant, said: “We are delighted to join such an established and respected trade association as Octabuild. We have over four decades of knowledge, innovation and expertise in the heating industry, so joining the company of some of Irelandʼs most trusted and innovative manufacturers was a natural move. Collaborating with Octabuild will certainly enhance our relationship with the building trade so we are looking forward to the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our top performing builders merchants in the 2022 Octabuild Awards for Excellence culminating in October.”

Grant operates at the cutting edge of sustainable and innovative product development. Over the past 40 years the company has expanded its product portfolio to include a wide range of renewable heating technologies including Grant Aerona3 R32 air to water, air source heat pumps, Grant Sahara solar thermal panels, Grant Uflex underfloor heating, Grant integrated units and pre-plumbed hot water cylinders, Grant Afinia aluminium radiators, and Grant Spira condensing wood pellet boilers.

The company has also invested over €250k in R&D to ensure its Grant Vortex and Euroflame ranges of condensing oil boilers are HVO biofuel compatible. This adaptability will help to significantly decarbonise existing residential homes in a cost-effective way, helping homeowners to avoid the high costs of retrofitting.

It will also help those in the building and construction trade can focus on building new homes, which in turn enables more heat pumps to be installed.

Niall Fay, Director at Grant added: “One of the key motivators for us becoming a member of Octabuild was the organisationʼs commitment to promoting sustainability in the building industry. We look forward to working together with them, to educate builders merchants and their customers on the benefits of clean energy heating solutions that can deliver a fully decarbonised, resource efficient home heating with long term cost savings.”

Grantʼs diverse product portfolio is helping homeowners on their journey to achieving zero carbon. Products include the award-winning range of HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing boilers, the A+++ Grant Aerona3 R32 air to water air source heat pumps, domestic integrated and pre-plumbed hot water cylinders, highly efficient heat emitters including the Grant Uflex underfloor heating system and Grant Afinia aluminium radiators, and Grant smart heating controls.

Visit www.grant.eu for more information. Follow Grant on Facebook and Twitter @GrantIRL, Instagram @Grant_IRL and Grant Engineering ULC on LinkedIn.

Think Heating. Think Grant.

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At Glasdon, we have over 60 yearsʼ experience in designing, manufacturing and supplying essential products which can improve spaces, enhance site safety and help to support waste management systems and recycling.

To help keep areas tidy and litter free, Glasdon have an extensive range of indoor and outdoor litter bins and dog waste bins available in a selection of styles, sizes and colours to suit all requirements.

Improve recycling facilities with the Glasdon range of recycling bins. Select from single-, dual- or multi-stream containers to best accommodate your needs.

Create inviting and sustainable outdoor spaces where you need to with seats, benches and picnic tables manufactured from recycled materials.

A unique touch can be added to most Glasdon products with our personalisation and branding service.

For more information, visit our website www.glasdon.com to view our full product range, or contact our sales team enquiries@glasdon.ie

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Mid West National Road Design Office highlights the importance of continuous professional development The Mid West National Road Design Office based in Limerick City and County Council has recently received Continuing Professional Development (CPD) reaccreditation from Engineers Ireland.

The office underwent an audit by Engineers Ireland in March this year and were successful in being re-accredited for the maximum period of three years. The audit assessed the office under seven criteria including its training systems, staff mentoring, staff competencies, training and development.

Continuing Professional Development ensures that you maintain and enhance the knowledge and skills you need to deliver a professional service to your customers, clients and the community. CPD ensures that you and your knowledge stay relevant and up to date. You are more aware of the changing trends and directions in your profession.

The Mid West National Road Design Office is a shared service between Limerick City and County Council, Tipperary County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Among its current projects are the N/M 20 Cork to Limerick Transport System, the Road Schemes on the N21 for Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West.

Congratulating the staff members, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: “Achieving CPD re-accreditation for the maximum three year period demonstrates the officeʼs achievements in developing best-practice, smart ways of working and also its commitment to staff training and professional development.

I would like to congratulate the Mid West National Road Design Office on its re-accreditation achievement” Tim Fitzgerald, Senior Engineer, Mid-West National Road Design Office said: “The Mid West National Road Design Office manages the design and delivery of national route transportation schemes and greenways throughout the Mid-West region. This includes a number of high-profile strategic transportation schemes, such as the NM20 Cork to Limerick scheme, the Foynes to Limerick (Including Adare Bypass) scheme and the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction scheme. CPD Accreditation with Engineers Ireland supports and guides our office and staff to continuously improve and develop best practices in the workplace to achieve our targets. ” In addition to the CPD accreditation, the Mid West National Road Design Office holds ISO 9001 Quality Assurance accreditation with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

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Positive Coverage Positive Achievements GILTRON LTD Tel: 00353 46 9072841 Email: info@localauthoritynews.ie Website: www.localauthoritynews.ie

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Residents reap benefits from Sligoʼs €6m retrofitting scheme for Local Authority housing

Householders Anthony Looby and Marian Byrne pictured with Míċeál McGinty, Senior Executive Architect on the Cranmore Regeneration Project for Sligo County Council

As a design and logistical feat, Sligo County Councilʼs €6million scheme to retrofit more than 225 public and privately owned houses should be very much the envy of local authorities around the country.

Indeed, turning poorly insulated 1970s public housing into A-rated homes by removing chimneys and fireplaces, and replacing immersion systems with air-to-water heat pumps and energy efficient condensing boilers, posed a number of challenges for the organisers of the Cranmore Regeneration Project.

The homes in the Cranmore estate in Sligo town were first surveyed to identify those most in need of the works. This was followed by public consultations in which representations were made to residents and consent was sought. Alternative accommodation in the same estate was also required to house those who volunteered for the duration of the works.

There were design and structural challenges, too, with Sligo County Council not only providing the heat pump but also upgrading the very fabric of the homes – putting in ventilation, insulation and materials to prevent heat escape.

Although the original four-month timeline became protracted due to the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cranmore Regeneration Project has produced life-changing results for residents.

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Marian Byrne, 68, has lived for nearly 50 years at the home in which she raised her four children and now regularly hosts her 12 grandchildren. Previously, she relied on solid fuels to heat her home, paying out more than €400 a month for coal, wooden logs and kindling which, given the porous insulation, was kept on a nearconstant burn.

A central plank of the renovation works is the removal of chimney and fireplaces to ensure maximum heat retention. While Marian admits to having felt apprehensive about the loss of her once-beloved fireplace, the increased cleanliness and decreased workload means she has no regrets.

“Everything is cleaner with the fireplace gone. Life is so much easier. You get too old to be taking out ashes.

My morning routine was always: have a cup of tea, take out the ashes and start dusting. But now thereʼs no dust so I have two cups of tea instead,” she says.

“I used to pay about €75 a week for coal in winter. That could be €50 in the summer. I was paying about €20 a week for electricity. There would also be a €40 delivery of logs for the fire every month. On top of that, I was buying firelighters and kindling, and I was paying money to the bin company to remove the ashes.

“I can get by now on €40 a week for my electricity. I was paying €20 before all this so I barely notice it. And thereʼs hot water 24/7.”

Retired firefighter Anthony Looby, 65, is also seeing the benefit of the retrofitting works in his bank balance but says the biggest difference is felt most keenly in his lungs.

“Iʼm a lot healthier since this work was done and the new heating system was installed. I used to have colds and flus the whole time. Now, Iʼve nothing because thereʼs no draft, itʼs not cold at night and itʼs warm when you get up in the morning,” he says.

Míċeál McGinty, Senior Executive Architect on the project for Sligo County Council, believes the reduction in burning of solid fuels around the estate is perhaps the schemeʼs biggest achievement.

“The driver of this scheme is the betterment of peoplesʼ lives and to make their environment overall a better place to live,” he says.

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Why an integrated communications system makes sense for the way the public sector works today.

When your phone system integrates with Office 365 plus your online collaboration tools – thatʼs something special. Thatʼs why IPT for Teams is Irelandʼs leading Microsoft Phone Integration We all know the benefits of having a business grade phone system for your organisation - clever call routing, IVRs allowing callers to route their calls themselves, Direct Dial numbers and the ability to flow calls to mobiles when you are off-site.

Multiple organisations - both Public and Private sector - are discovering the benefits of collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams, allowing groups and individuals within organisations to carry out projects and meetings easily despite the fact they may be in separate buildings or in a hybrid environment.

But what about your external customers and agencies outside of your organisation. Traditionally the way they got in touch with you via the phone, but as Teams is specific to your organisation you donʼt have the benefit of that connectivity, unless a formal meeting is set up.

Microsoftʼs own phone systems have some PBX functionality - but will calls work in the same way as my current PBX? Will my call centre be able to have clever call routing to enable best call centre practices? Will the calling plans that come with the product be as cost effective as my current VoIP product?

Thatʼs where IPT for Teams comes in.

IPT for Teams is the leading Microsoft teams and Hosted PBX integration in the Irish market, with over 6,000 daily users across multiple devices. By combining the benefits of a business phone system with the collaborative powers that Microsoft Teams can bring, IPT for Teams is a truly unique solution that moves unified communications to the next level.

IPT for Teams is seamless too, all calls can be set to ring across multiple devices at the same time, so if in the office, your deskphone rings, but also your laptop and mobile device can ring at the same time – perfect for teams that are dispersed or in a hybrid working environment. And because IPT for Teams routes calls though the Hosted PBX, thereʼs no additional legs added to the call, eliminating the need for costly mobile routing charges.

When choosing your phone system, many companies will claim Microsoft Teams integration. But only IPT for Teams offers true, seamless integration with a superlative degree of functionality and flexibility to suit your organisation. No other Telecom operator can match IP Telecomʼs track record either, having been integrating Phone Systems with Microsoft products since 2010.

Find out more at www.iptelecom.ie/teams Rory Whelan is Head of Marketing for IP Telecom

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Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage Publishes Urban Regeneration Report; makes Recommendations on Incentives, Enforcement and Resourcing The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has published its report Urban Regeneration in which it makes 39 recommendations around incentives and enforcement measures, policy issues and resourcing aimed at regenerating urban centres by bringing derelict or vacant properties back into use, including for social and affordable housing.

Launching the report, Deputy Steven Matthews, Cathaoirleach of the Committee, said: “The current housing situation in Ireland presents many challenges, both for Government and citizens, with much of the focus on the shortage of suitable housing for those who need it and the Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local pressing need for more supply.

Government and Heritage, Deputy Steven Matthews TD

“At the same time it is widely accepted that across Ireland there are many urban centres in cities, towns, and villages that comprise significant numbers of vacant residential and commercial premises, with many such centres suffering from increasing levels of dereliction, depopulation, and economic decline.

“Though the causes and solutions of the current housing crisis are complex and nuanced, regenerating our urban centres can go some way towards alleviating the negative aspects mentioned above, whilst also contributing to improved regional and sustainable development, safer and healthier communities, and more efficient and effective transportation links.”

The Committee held four days of hearings between December 2021 and March 2022 and engaged with relevant stakeholders, gaining valuable insights from all those who had an input into the preparation of the report. Members examined current schemes such as repair and lease and buy and renew, areas including dereliction and vacancy, data, planning and spatial analysis, active travel and transport-oriented development, as well as current policy and funding measures.

The key recommendations made by the Committee are that: • A single national platform be created to integrate, compile and effectively organise existing and future data on vacancy and dereliction into a national data set, to be made publicly accessible; • An online, publicly accessible Derelict Sites Register be created for every Local Authority and that this be used to create a National Derelicts Sites Register; • Local Authorities should be adequately resourced with the experience and programming and data science skills through the recruitment, upskilling and retention of staff; • The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage introduces sanctions for public bodies that fail to register property assets within an appropriate timeframe; • The Department provide all Local Authorities with ambitious targets for the Repair and Lease Scheme and Buy and Renew Scheme for social and affordable rental and purchase; • The Department agree with Local Authorities that a percentage of new social and affordable housing output should come from vacant and derelict properties; • The Department consider expanding the Repair and Lease Scheme to incorporate the cost/rental model aimed at those on middle-incomes; and also consider reviewing the maximum loan amount available under the Repair and Lease Scheme in light of recent increases in construction costs and inflation;

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The Derelict Sites Levy be changed to a Derelict Sites Tax which is to be collected by Revenue based on registers created by Local Authorities. Monies collected to be returned to Local Authorities for site acquisitions and refurbishment of those sites; Consider increasing the proposed Residential Zoned Land Tax in excess of 3%. The introduction of a Vacant Homes Tax with reasonable exemptions should also be considered.

The definition of derelict be expanded to include buildings that are damaged, neglected, boarded up and/or are uninhabitable, in addition to the visual element currently provided for in the definition; The Department engage with the Department of Transport and local authorities to implement the Delivery Roadmap contained in the Five Cities Demand Management Study; The inclusion of transport-oriented development into any future area development guidelines for local authorities should be prioritised and mandated.

Deputy Matthews said: “The blight of derelict and vacant properties is a complex issue to which there is no simple or quick solution. The Committee believes that to achieve effective urban regeneration a careful balance must be struck between disincentives such as taxation measures and supports for people who want to bring derelict or vacant properties back into use.

“These buildings can be used as social or affordable housing which can help bring urban living back into the heart of our cities, towns and villages. Critical to how we develop and manage this balance is the creation and management of a detailed national database of derelict and vacant properties which is available to local authorities and the wider public.”

He added: “The Committee is committed to monitoring the progress being made on the on-going implementation of the recommendations contained in this report as well as other related policy initiatives. We also would like the issues raised in this report to be debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas.”

Deputy Matthews thanked Members for their input and their commitment in bringing forward this report and expressed sincere gratitude to every stakeholder that came before the Committee to give evidence in person or remotely. He said these discussions were critical to the development of the report.

The report Urban Regeneration is available on the Oireachtas website.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

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Grant Aerona³ R32 air source heat pump wins prestigious industry award The Grant Aerona³ R32 air to water, air source heat pump range has been awarded heat pump product of the year at the prestigious National ACR and Heat Pump Awards 2022, beating off some very strong competition.

Already renowned for its highly efficient, innovative heating technologies and commitment to reducing carbon emissions, and this award is an endorsement of the Grantʼs strong R&D heritage in product development. It is also the second time that the Aerona heat pump range has been recognised at these prominent industry awards, the first being after its initial launch in 2018 when it was highly commended.

The win also comes on the back of Grant being awarded ʻBest Renewable Energy Productʼ at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Show 2022 for their HVO biofuel compatible Grant Vortex condensing oil boiler.

Judges were impressed with the Aeronaʼs performance across all criteria including the benefits for customers and installers, energy efficiency and other key features.

Barry Gorman, National Renewables Sales Manager, Grant explains, “With heat pump systems, there is no single design solution that satisfies 100% of all installations, but what is unique about the Aerona³ heat pump is its incredible versatility. The range enables installers to choose the method that is the best fit for their customer's requirements, be that using a low loss header, a buffer or even a plate heat exchanger. This flexibility is one of the reasons why the Aerona³ is popular choice with heat pump installers throughout the UK, Ireland and further afield.”

The range which features four compact models in outputs from 6kW up to 17kW, achieves high SCOPʼs and is sustainable at low temperatures. The heat pumps are easy to install, use R32 refrigerant gas and boast an ERP of A+++. In addition, the Aerona range is MCS and Keymark approved, and the 13kW and 17kW versions have been recognised by the internationally acclaimed Quiet Mark, for their quiet operation.

A trusted brand in home heating for over 40 years, Grant continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable and innovative product development. Founder, Stephen Grant said: “We are delighted that our Grant Aerona³ R32 Air Source Heat Pump received the top award in its category at these prestigious Awards and look forward to continuing to lead the industry in designing and manufacturing heating technologies that offer a low carbon and sustainable heating solution going forward into the future.”

Grantʼs portfolio of heating technologies currently includes HVO biofuel compatible condensing boilers, air to water, air source heat pumps, condensing wood pellet boilers, solar thermal panels, underfloor heating, hot water cylinders, aluminium radiators and smart heating controls.

For further information visit www.grant.eu

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21 New Homes for Older Persons at Broadford Court, Ballinteer

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (dlr) is pleased to announce the delivery of 21 new homes at Broadford Court, Ballinteer, Dublin 16. The development, which is arranged around an enclosed landscaped courtyard, also has a community room, and underground parking.

The scheme has been designed to provide suitable accommodation for older persons and is well served by public transport with a bus stop nearby and local shops only a few minutes-walk away. Each of the dwellings have own door access, four are accessed off Broadford Rise and the remainder off the internal courtyard which has step, ramp or lift access. The dwellings wrap around the quiet private internal courtyard and the shared community room is placed in an elevated sunny corner of the site, with views out to the public road and all its activity. The individual dwellings range in size from 46 sq. m to 59.5 sq. m.

The scheme achieves a high density of 87.5 dwellings per hectare while respecting the existing built form, scale, and character of the residential amenity of the area. It has a warm brick finish with high-quality stone boundary walls.

An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Lettie McCarthy, said: “Iʼm delighted to be officially opening Broadford Court, this new development of 21 energy efficient, level access, own door dwellings has provided much needed homes for older persons on our Housing list. I hope that the residents will be very happy in their new homes and enjoy joining this wonderful community.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OʼBrien, was also in attendance at the opening in Ballinteer.

Dlr wishes to acknowledge the co-operation of local residents and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their patience whilst this project was being constructed.

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Itʼs not just a Motorway…itʼs a Beeway!

What are the Bee signs that I am seeing along the Eastern Motorway Corridor?

TII is trying to promote awareness of its All Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) friendly policies and has implemented some trial ʻBee friendlyʼ images based on AIPP mid junctions along the Eastern managed Motorway network.

These signs are aimed at capturing the imagination of our younger Motorway passengers, as well as to provide assurance to the public that the limited grass cutting is not a shortcoming in maintenance practices but rather an alignment with national AIPP policy.

What is TIIʼs Landscape Strategy?

TII landscapes are based on an ʻecological design approachʼ using native species (but not exclusively) and species with high ecological value. Our aim is to develop a functional, cost effective and healthy landscape that fits within the overall objectives of TII road and rail safety and performance. Our management approach in many areas, once the landscape has established, is a limited intervention and selfsustaining approach. For more information on TIIʼs landscape strategy for our road network, refer to Guidelines on the Implementation of Landscape Treatments on National Road Schemes in Ireland and A Guide to Landscape Treatments for National Road Schemes in Ireland.

Is TII promoting landscape management for our pollinators?

Yes! TII has collaborated with the All Ireland Pollinator Plan in developing a sectorspecific guideline to improve the design and landscape management of our Transport Corridors for our pollinators but also for overall biodiversity. It is planned to implement the actions of the plan over the network on a phased basis. For example, as part of our grassland management, TII is committed to reducing the frequency of grass mowing in certain areas in order to enhance the value of our grass areas for wildlife and biodiversity. The Guide can be found at Pollinator Friendly Management of Transport Corridors. TII has agreed to the deferral of the commencement of grass cutting to after the 15th April, as well as the relaxation of grass cutting frequencies with all of its Motorway Operations Contractors. One of the main aims of this is to reduce the frequency of mowing of grassy areas to provide food for pollinators.

Why are TII cutting grass areas and reducing their habitat value?

TII maintains a narrow strip of mown grass along the carriageway and at some junctions to facilitate safer breakdown resolution, to maintain sightlines and to ensure signs/lights/drains are not impacted or due to local issues. Most other areas of grassland on the network are managed with limited intervention and following a self-sustaining approach.

Why arenʼt there more wildflowers in TII unmown grass banks and verges?

TII grasslands are managed as self-sustaining meadows where the overall value of the grass areas for all biodiversity is considered. While some areas are managed specifically for wild flowers with annual cuts, most areas are managed as longer grass meadows. These require less frequent cuts, perhaps only one cut per three to five years. Although maybe not as colourful as wildflower areas, these grasslands support many species of insect and grasses and provide important undisturbed nesting sites, food sources and shelter.

Why is TII cutting down trees on the Motorway?

Trees are primarily cut down on the network for safety reasons and to preserve sightlines and safety zones.

Sometimes it is necessary to cut down trees on the network where they may have outgrown their location or have become damaged. Also, as a part of active management of TII landscapes, selective thinning may sometimes be required for the long-term health of tree belts.

A tree or hedge is overhanging my property, what can I do?

Generally, unless there is a safety or maintenance issue, TII will not prune back branches or remove trees.

The trees were planted as part of a considered landscape approach where they provide both screening and value for biodiversity. However, if it is deemed that there is a safety or maintenance issue, we will review the landscape element in question and if works are required, we will consider this on the advice of our Landscape Management Team.

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Dublin Region Local Authorities to deploy 1,650 EV charge points by 2025 At the Harbour Plaza, Dún Laoghaire, the Dublin region Local Authorities (LAʼs) launched Dublinʼs first Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy which will see 1,650 charge points deployed by 2025.

Irelandʼs Climate Action Plan (CAP) targets 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales with approx. 1 million EVs planned to be on the road by 2030. The Dublin region represents 25% of Irelandʼs car fleet and has a significant role to play in the decarbonisation of the countryʼs transport system. The four Dublin region LAs are working together to deploy EV charging infrastructure in order to support and accelerate this transition. A map of public EV charge point locations can be found here.

An Cathaoirleach of Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council, Lettie McCarthy was joined with the Deputy Mayor of Fingal Councillor Daniel Whooley, Mayor of South Dublin County Council Peter Kavanagh and Councillor Noeleen Reilly representing the Lord Mayor Dublin, to launch the expansion of publicly available charge points in Dublin.

An Cathaoirleach, Lettie McCarthy said: “The Dublin Region Local Authorities are leading the charge to roll out this key infrastructure across the County. This is an important step forward toward the decarbonization of Dublinʼs transport system and meeting our climate change ambitions”.

David Storey, Director of Services for Environment, Climate Action and Active Travel at Fingal County Council & chair of the EV steering group said: “There is a need for significant improvement in the number and type of charging points across Dublin. Itʼs important that we support people as they transition to using Electric Vehicles and take into account the varying needs of those who live in places where they cannot easily plug their vehicle in to charge. There is an estimated 34,000 who will rely solely on public charging spaces. This strategy is a step forward in that mission.”

The Dublin Metropolitan Area (DMA) are currently identifying priority areas that require the installation of residential charging solutions supported by the four Local Authorities, which will take into account location factors while ensuring distribution and provision is fair and equitable.

We are asking the public who currently own or lease an EV to express their interest for a charge point in their local neighbourhood, e.g. car park, sports club, schools etc. This may not guarantee a charge point will be installed in that location but will help the Dublin Local Authorities to identify areas where there is local need.

Several trials of different charger types are already taking place across the DMA with plans to actively support the deployment of public charge points in the short term.

Grants available for EVs The Department of Transport supports the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (fully electric) offering grants of up to EUR5,000 (dependant on the price of the vehicle) through registered dealerships.

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Dublin Cityʼs Newest Park Opens To The Public Dublin City Council has today officially opened the cityʼs newest park to the public.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland, unveiled a plaque this afternoon to mark the occasion, with the opening of Bridgefoot Street Park transforming what was a derelict site into a beautiful landscape of trees with grassed and planted mounds, incorporating a performance area, play spaces, allotments and a community garden.

The Lord Mayor said, “This is a fantastic new amenity for the people of the Liberties and for the city. This parkʼs design is based upon accessibility and enjoyment for all ages and abilities, encouraging physical activity and supporting ecology, biodiversity, culture and outdoor events.”

Dublin City Council and the local community collaborated in the vision, promotion, planning, design and development of the park and this collaboration will continue in the management and operation which will be key to the success of the park. The park has been under construction since 2020, however the construction program was delayed due to Covid lockdown.

Bridgefoot St Park was designed by Dermot Foley Landscape Architects in collaboration with Dublin City Council Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services.

When surveyed in 2015 for the Liberties Greening strategy, the access to public open space within the area was 1.07ha. With the delivery of Weaver Park in 2017 and now Bridgefoot Street Park, Dublin City Council has increased access to public green space by 1.68ha, an increase of 157% for the people of the Liberties.

The new public park is approximately 1 hectare in size and has been developed utilising what would normally be considered waste materials such as calp, concrete, reclaimed stone and brick, as aggregate to create pavements, seating and play spaces.

181 new trees have been planted and the planting consists of a mixture of herbaceous and ground-cover species, with some amenity grass and ornamental hedging but the over-riding emphasis is on native wildflower seed mix, which will be sown into a mix of soil and recycled aggregate. These seeded areas will germinate, flower, self-seed and develop a naturalistic landscape which will be unique to this park, creating a biodiversity-rich environment for pollinator bees other insects and wildlife in the city.

A new undulating topography has been created using stockpiles of soil, large rocks and boulders together with an estimated 2,000 cubic metres (135 truck loads) of inert material which was imported to the site to create a playful and interesting urban landscape for all ages. Subsoil and topsoil has also been imported for the community gardens, lawns and tree planting. Larch timber seating has been installed as terraces.

Features of the park such as a sculptural piece by the participants of the Probationary Service Bridge Project and bird boxes by the participants of the Liberties Training Centre are exciting elements and will bring an added sense of local ownership and pride in the park.

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Works to support the delivery of essential housing in East Cork with a major upgrade of wastewater infrastructure Irish Water, working in partnership with Cork County Council, has today announced the signing of a new construction contract which will unlock the development of new housing in the East Cork area.

Construction will shortly get underway on the Midleton Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) Wastewater Project, which will lead to significant improvements in the local wastewater network so that it can support new homes and businesses in the future.

The project consists of constructing strategic wastewater infrastructure including over 7.1km of new wastewater pipelines and two new wastewater pumping stations that will assist the future development of housing in the Water Rock Urban Expansion area in Midleton.

Mark Murray, Irish Water Programme Manager said “I am delighted to be announcing this contract signing as we commencement into the construction stage of this critical project. The project represents another great step towards the development of essential new housing and businesses in the East Cork area. Irish Water has been liaising closely with several other agencies who have planned development in the area including Cork County Council, Iarnród Éireann and EirGrid."

“This is a significant investment, and we look forward to working closely with the people of Midleton over the next 18 months as we deliver this project. Irish Water is committed to playing its part in the national drive to provide homes to people who need them by developing and prioritising the delivery of key water services infrastructure. By improving the wastewater infrastructure, Midleton will continue to thrive both socially and economically in the years to come.”

Welcoming the project, Deputy David Stanton said “I welcome the confirmation from Irish Water that construction works on the pipeline from Midleton to Carrigtwohill, the pumping stations and the associated infrastructure are shortly set to begin for completion within 18 months. This announcement gives certainty to local developers who are anxious to proceed with the delivery of much-needed housing units in East Cork.”

The project, being delivered by Geda Construction Ltd on behalf of Irish Water, is due to commence in late June/early July of this year and will take approximately 18 months to complete.

Works will take place around the Water Rock area along the access road to the Nordic Enterprise Park, Castle Rock Ave Road, Ballyrichard More Road and Carrigane Road. Irish Water, Cork County Council and Geda Construction Ltd. will liaise with all stakeholders in the community regarding any traffic management plans that are required as part of the project.

Irish Water is working in partnership with all those who are committed to the goal of providing homes, to ensure the utility can deliver water infrastructure where and when it's needed.

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New Stillorgan Reservoir brings big improvement to Dublinʼs water supply IThe opening of a new state-of-the-art covered reservoir in Stillorgan means that over 200,000 Dubliners will now enjoy a much safer and more secure water supply, according to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh OʼBrien.

The Minister was speaking at the official opening today of the new covered reservoir, which will supply water to homes and businesses across South Dublin. The new covered reservoir, which can store over 160 million litres of treated drinking water, replaces three open reservoirs that were no longer fit for purpose as they were uncovered and presented a risk of contamination by birds, animals or human activities.

This project represents an investment of over €50 million by Irish Water, which will bring big benefits in terms of security of supply and resilience. It is the latest in a number of major upgrades of water supplies in the Greater Dublin Area designed to future-proof the supply to cater for increasing demand, population growth and the challenges that are likely to be presented by climate change.

Officially opening the new reservoir this morning, Minister OʼBrien described it as a “critical element in the ongoing modernisation of the water supply for the Greater Dublin Area”.

“Water has been supplied to generations of Dubliners from this site for over 150 years. The construction of the Vartry scheme, of which the original Stillorgan reservoirs were part, was not only a major feat of engineering for its time but it also represented a visionary plan to bring clean, safe drinking water to the people of Dublin. The development of this new reservoir is a continuation of that vision and commitment to securing the water needs of the city and its people. This is critical, not only to the health and wellbeing of the population, but also to the development of the city, enabling us to meet our commitments under Housing for All, to create more businesses and attract more investment. This represents a huge leap forward in the provision of a more secure and resilient water supply for Dublin. Congratulations to Irish Water and all their partners for delivering this landmark project.”

Niall Gleeson, Irish Water chief executive, added: “Providing safe, secure drinking water supplies for all our customers is a top priority for Irish Water. We are committed to building a world class public water infrastructure, carrying on the legacy of the committed Local Authorities that have developed and operated these sites for generations, while applying cutting-edge technology and expertise in the development of solutions for the future. We all recognise the need to improve our ageing water infrastructure and the completion of this project is another important step along the road to building a secure and sustainable water supply for the people of Dublin for generations to come.

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and support as we carried out this essential work, as well as our delivery partners in Dublin City Council, Nicholas OʼDwyer Ltd and Murphyʼs Ireland.”

Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, said: “This is great news for the people of South Dublin who are supplied with water from this site in Stillorgan. We will all benefit from the successful completion of this new reservoir and the wider investment by Irish Water in improving the water supply in the Greater Dublin Area. This is a great example of collaboration between Irish Water, Dublin City Council, their Local Authority partners, and everyone involved in the delivery of this project. I am delighted to be here on what is an historic day for Stillorgan and all of South Dublin.”

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The original Stillorgan Reservoir site comprised three open reservoirs and was one of the last remaining uncovered treated water reservoirs in Europe, where treated drinking water was left exposed to the elements, with consequent risk of contamination. The construction of the new covered reservoir will eliminate that risk and enable better management of the supply of water to customers. Construction work began on the upgrade project in 2018 with the draining down of the Gray Reservoir, which had not been fully drained since it was built in the late 1800ʼs. The new covered reservoir was then constructed within the footprint of the Gray Reservoir.

The new reservoir is a key component of Dublinʼs strategic water infrastructure, which links the supply from five major water treatment plants through an integrated network of trunk mains and reservoirs. It is supplied with drinking water from water treatment plants at Vartry in County Wicklow and Ballymore Eustace in County Kildare. The completion of the reservoir marks the culmination of a total investment of €150 million in the upgrade of the Vartry Water Supply Scheme, which also delivered the replacement of the old Vartry to Callowhill tunnel in 2018 and the construction of the new Vartry Water Treatment Plant which was completed in 2021. The reservoir and associated infrastructure will have the capacity to support future water demand through 2031 and beyond.

New state-of-the-art treatment plant officially open in Ballyconnell, Wicklow It was a historic occasion for Ballyconnell this morning as Irish Water, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, officially opened a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility following a €600,000 investment to safeguard the environment and support a sustainable future for the village. The new treatment plant and supporting infrastructure will ensure that treated wastewater is now fully compliant with EU Urban Wastewater Directives before being safely discharged back into the natural environment. It will also enable future growth and development in the area which spans Wicklow and Carlow, and has already facilitated a much-needed expansion of the local primary school, St Mary's NS which also benefits pupils in Co Carlow.

At a special event to mark the occasion which also honoured 40 years of dedication from retired Senior Executive Wastewater Executive Engineer, Larry Wolohan, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Shay Cullen welcomed the significant investment by Irish Water, adding; “Iʼm delighted to be here to witness the official opening of Ballyconnell Wastewater Treatment Plant. This significant investment by Irish Water will ensure that wastewater is collected and treated to the highest environmental standards. The completion of this project in Ballyconnell is vital to ensure we can provide a platform for future growth in the local community."

“I would also like to pay tribute to retired senior executive engineer for Wicklow County Council, Mr. Larry Wolohan retired senior executive engineer for Wicklow County Council, Mr. Larry Wolohan whose dedication to Ballyconnell and expertise on both the old and new wastewater treatment plants span four decades.”

Larry Wolohan who spoke at the event said: “After 40 years of working as an Engineer with Wicklow County Council and other local authorities it is a momentous occasion to witness the opening of the new Ballyconnell Wastewater Treatment Plant. A lot of hard work went into the design and construction of the plant, and it is an honour to be standing here to see the project brought to reality and serving the community of Ballyconnell.”

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Irish Waterʼs Wastewater Asset Operations Lead, Brendan Cahalin, said: “The completion of this essential piece of infrastructure for the area will ensure that wastewater from homes and businesses is treated and discharged locally in compliance with Irish and European environmental standards and will unlock the potential for future growth and housing development in the area."

Brendan added “Prior to the completion of this project, the original wastewater treatment plant did not meet the needs of a growing community and surrounding areas. Tankered wastewater had to be transported each week to a second wastewater facility for treatment. Following this investment by Irish Water tankering is no longer required, providing significant cost savings as well as a sustainable wastewater treatment for homes and businesses now and into the future."

The project represents a significant investment by Irish Water and included the construction of a new stateof-the-art wastewater treatment plant and associated infrastructure which will significantly increase treatment capacity and support future growth and development in the area.

The project was delivered by David Walsh Civil Engineering Limited as Contractor and Ryan Hanley as Employers Representative on behalf of Irish Water.

Irish Water and Wicklow Country Council also acknowledge the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin with regards to acquiring the site to facilitate the new plant.

Works continue to eliminate raw sewage in Arklow Irish Water, working in partnership with Wicklow County Council, continues to progress a landmark project which will provide wastewater treatment for the first time in Arklow. The project includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant and associated pipeline, bringing significant benefits to the local community including environmental protection and improved water quality in the River Avoca for angling, water sports and marine life. It will also act as an enabler for housing and support economic growth and development in the town.

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Works continue at an impressive rate with construction already underway on the long sea outfall pipe which will safely discharge the treated wastewater from the town almost a kilometre out to sea. Following months of planning, the new pipeline was recently shipped in three sections, each measuring almost 310m in length, over 1,000km across the open sea from Norway to the Port of Arklow. The sections of pipeline were then tugged carefully and with acute precision towards the harbour by AMS Retriever and assisting tail tug, AMS Husky, before being moored in the North Quay where they were fitted with concrete collars. The new pipeline will be sunk next week, weather permitting, in a pre-excavated trench using specialised equipment and a number of marine vessels. Imagery is included of the arrival of the cargo from Norway with the specialised dredger which will help install the outfall pipe at sea.

In addition Irish Water is delighted to announce that the first phase of construction on the new interceptor sewer pipelines along the North and South quays have been completed which will bring untreated wastewater to the new plant. To minimise the impact on the local community, the majority of this work continues to be carried out using modern trenchless technology (Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) pictured), meaning most of the construction is taking place almost entirely underground without the need for large open excavations. The next phase of tunnelling will progress over the coming months including underneath the River Avoca, where a new sewer will be installed, connecting the North and South Quay wastewater network.

Speaking about the precious cargo, Conor Delaney, Irish Water Project Manager, said “The arrival of the new outfall pipe is a significant milestone in this critically important project. The pipes are moored in the North Quay where they have been fitted with concrete collars and will be sunk next week, weather permitting. The whole exercise took months of planning and has gone extremely smoothly thanks to our contractors, Ward and Burke and Van Oord Ireland. I would also like to sincerely thank Paul Ivory and his crew in Arklow Harbour for their excellent planning and teamwork."

Welcoming this key milestone in the project, Senior Marine Officer with Wicklow County Council, Paul Ivory, said: “It is very exciting that the outfall pipes have finally arrived after months and months of planning. I am delighted to be part of this historic milestone and support the progress of this vital project for Arklow."

“This significant investment by Irish Water will finally ensure that wastewater is treated to optimum standards, meaning a cleaner harbour for the local community to enjoy. The sea outfall, which forms an integral part of the overall project, will help protect the Avoca River and this scenic coastline, and will add to the tourism value of our beautiful town.”

The project, which is being carried out by Ward and Burke Water Limited on behalf of Irish Water, represents an investment of €139 million and includes the development of a new, state of the art, wastewater treatment plant that has been designed to provide an ultimate treatment capacity for a PE (population equivalent) of up to 36,000, at the Old Wallboard Factory site located at Ferrybank in Arklow, two interceptor sewer pipelines (along North and South Quay) to bring untreated wastewater to the proposed plant and a marine sea outfall pipe to safely discharge the treated wastewater effluent to the Irish Sea. This project marks another major milestone in Irish Waterʼs work to end the unacceptable practice of discharging untreated sewage into our waterways and sea. More than half of all raw sewage discharges have been eliminated since the establishment of Irish Water and Arklow is the largest remaining town without treatment. The commencement of this project and the progress made throughout 2021 and next means that we are on track to eliminate the vast majority of raw sewage discharges by 2025. For more information, visit the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant section of our website. Irish Water and Wicklow County Council would like to thank the people of Arklow for their continued support and cooperation while we progress this important project.

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Wastewater infrastructure upgrade to improve water quality and support growth in Stamullen Irish Water, working in partnership with Meath Country Council, is delighted to announce the signing of a major new construction contract that will result in significant improvements in wastewater infrastructure for Stamullen, Co Meath. The project will provide significant social and economic benefit, facilitating future growth for the village.

This project follows on from works already completed last year with the construction of approximately 2kms of mains and a gravity sewer on the R132 road from Delvin Bridge to Cardy Rock, Balbriggan. These additional works will involve the construction of a new state-of the-art pumping station at the existing Stamullen Wastewater Treatment Plant site. Approximately 4kms of pipeline will be constructed predominantly in public roads to connect to the Balbriggan sewer network at Cardy Rock for onward piping of the wastewater to the Balbriggan Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Following the completion of the new pumping station and associated pipeline, the existing Stamullen Wastewater Treatment Plant will be decommissioned.

Commenting on the importance of the project for Stamullen and Co Meath, Dawid Wozniak, Regional Delivery Lead with Irish Water, said: “This project is an important and an essential milestone for Stamullen and Co Meath. The existing wastewater treatment plant in Stamullen has limited spare capacity. The planned improvement works will address this by converting the existing wastewater treatment plant to a pumping station, enabling the pumping of all wastewater to Balbriggan for treatment at the wastewater treatment facility there. This new pumping station and associated pipeline network will provide enough capacity to meet current and future demands of homes and businesses across Stamullen and surrounding areas for decades to come.

Dawid added, “Today, in Ireland and across the world, we can see the impacts of climate change bringing with it long spells of warmer weather leading to greater demand for essential services, alongside the continued need to support housing, businesses, and economic growth. This upgrade will mean that wastewater treatment in Stamullen will to be more resilient to periods of high demand which is why we are building future capacity into our wastewater infrastructure.

“Projects such as these are essential to allow Irish Water to continue to support social and economic growth in Meath through the delivery of essential wastewater services. The size and scale of the task to improve our wastewater services and to cater for a modern, growing economy shouldnʼt be underestimated. We have made significant progress but there is work still to do as we continue to build and upgrade world-class wastewater infrastructure through our multi-billion programme of investment.”

Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support growth in our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd have been awarded the construction contract and will deliver the project on behalf of Irish Water. Construction is due to begin later in the year.

Irish Water continues to keep customers informed about their water and wastewater supplies across multiple platforms 24/7 and we encourage customers to engage with us on Twitter @IWCare and through our customer care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and by setting their location on our website.

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Key contract signed for critical upgrade to the drinking water supply in South Dublin and North Wicklow

Irish Water, working in partnership with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Wicklow County Councils, is delighted to announce the signing of a major new construction contract that will result in critical upgrades to the drinking water supply in South Dublin and North Wicklow. The project will provide a more reliable water supply for existing homes and businesses. It will also support social and economic growth and provide capacity for future growth for up to 12,000 homes.

The project, known locally as the Old Connaught-Woodbrook Water Supply Scheme, will involve the construction of of two new state-of-the-art reservoirs and more than 13km of new watermains, providing new drinking water infrastructure for the area which will provide network resilience and flexibility for South Dublin and North County Wicklow.

Ward and Burke Construction Limited have been awarded the construction contract and will deliver the project on behalf of Irish Water. Works are commencing later this month.

Commenting on importance of the project for the GDA, Alan Morrissey, Regional Delivery Regional Lead with Irish Water, said: “This project is an important milestone in the Greater Dublin Areaʼs water supply. These new reservoirs and associated pipelines will provide enough storage capacity to meet current and future demands of homes and businesses across South Dublin and North Wicklow for decades to come, and to attract new industry and allow existing companies to expand and grow.

“Today, in Ireland and across the world, we can see the impacts of Climate Change bringing with it long spells of warmer weather and warnings, alongside the continued need to support housing, businesses and economic growth. The East and Midlands of Ireland and the GDAʼs water network needs to be more resilient to periods of high demand which is why we are building future capacity into our water infrastructure.

“Projects such as these are essential to allow Irish Water to continue to support social and economic growth in Ireland through the delivery of essential water and wastewater services. The size and scale of the task to improve our water services and to cater for a modern, growing economy shouldnʼt be underestimated. We have made significant progress but there is work still to do as we continue to build world-class water infrastructure through our multi-billion programme of investment. This project is just one of a number of critical steps in safeguarding Dublinʼs water supply to ensure it is capable of meeting current and future demand.”

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