Work On Mini-Pitch Scheme Kicks Off In County Limerick

Five all weather soccer and multiuse facilities are to be provided at separate locations throughout County Limerick.

Limerick County Council has signed a €623,500 contract with Emerald Pitch Developments Ltd, of Clonbullogue, Edenderry, Co Offaly, for the provision of the Astroturf pitches at Abbeyfeale, Patrickswell, Hospital, Rathkeale and Cappamore. Funding will be drawn from the Limerick County Council Development Contributions Fund, and from the FAI and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Limerick County Council has teamed up with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to develop the facilities in each Electoral Area, as part of the UEFA/FAI Hat Trick mini-pitch scheme.

Under the scheme, launched in 2006 to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of UEFA, the FAI and the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism offered €35,000 per pitch to develop small sized all weather pitches. Primarily aimed at promoting soccer amongst school children, the pitches will also be lined to accommodate other sports such as basketball and futsal.

“The provision of these new facilities represents another major milestone in the ongoing development and promotion of soccer at local level”, stated Councillor Kevin Sheahan, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.

The Cathaoirleach added that the facilities would greatly assist the recently appointed Football Development Officer for County Limerick in carrying out his job.

“I look forward to seeing the results of the many progressive actions that are due to be implemented across the county, whether that is the implementation of coaching courses and the Schools Programme or the organisation of volunteer and parent workshops. I have no doubt that the Astroturf pitches will contribute to the success of these initiatives”, the Cathaoirleach commented.

According to Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager, “Limerick County Council is delighted to be able to work in partnership with the FAI in developing these facilities and looks forward to seeing them contribute to the development of the game here.”

Mr. Gleeson complimented the FAI for its continued work in improving standards within the game all over County Limerick.

He continued. “Along with the many other initiatives being rolled out across the county by the Association, I believe that great strides are being taken to increase participation in sport among young people though various soccer programmes. This is something that Limerick County Council is very supportive of as it is cogently aware that by participating in sport, children develop lifelong skills and disciplines that will help them lead active, healthy, well-balanced lives.”

“I hope the new pitches, which are due to be in place by the end of the year, will provide an enjoyable and safe sporting environment for young people in various locations throughout County Limerick”, Mr. Gleeson concluded.

Football Association of Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney welcomed the announcement and paid tribute to all involved in the mini-pitch scheme in the Limerick area.

He said, “Just over a year ago Limerick County Council and the Football Association of Ireland formed a partnership at local level to recruit a Football Development Officer, Conor Nestor and I would like to thank Limerick County Council for their vision and purpose in investing heavily in fostering social inclusion using football as a tool in local communities in this area.”

Mr. Delaney added, “This is a very significant development for all involved in County Limerick. These five new mini pitches are the latest of 64 mini-pitches that are being rolled out across the country in conjunction with local authorities. These new facilities in the Limerick area will help the local community use sport, and football in particular, to address real issues such as active citizenship, obesity and social inclusion. The Football Association of Ireland is using football to tackle social issues and over the past three years we have increased our commitment to developing the game.”

Limerick County Council Peddles Green Initiative

Limerick County Council today launched an initiative aimed at reducing the local authority’s overall carbon footprint.

Staff are being given access to bicycles and umbrellas to cut the number of car journeys being made between the Council’s two main buildings in Dooradoyle. High visibility jackets and safety helmets are also provided to staff wishing to peddle their way between Lissanalta House and Limerick County Hall.

Welcoming the initiative, Councillor Kevin Sheahan, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said, “I fully support any scheme that actively promotes ways of reducing carbon emissions. Limerick County Council plays a central role in changing the mindset of people in County Limerick regarding energy use. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Council is itself leading by example by encouraging staff to embrace more environmentally-friendly modes of transport.”

Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, commented, “Like many people in Limerick, we have become too reliant on our cars. This initiative, however, aims to break the habit of using our cars all the time, especially for short journeys. A car journey from County Hall to Lissanalta House that can take up to 10-15mins at rush-hour now takes a couple of minutes by bicycle or less than five minutes on foot.”

Technology to protect lifebuoys in Limerick

Response Group, one of Ireland’s leading water and wastewater treatment companies, today announced that it is to provide Limerick County Council with remote text alert technology on lifebuoys in the Limerick region.

Response Group is to contribute technical assistance for the development and rollout of this pilot project as part of an ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The Water Safety initiative will involve the purchase and installation of telematic technology to be fitted to lifebuoys at six locations in Limerick County. The technology will work to prevent lifebuoys in the region from being stolen or vandalised. When a lifebuoy is moved from its location, the telematic technology will send a text message to Limerick County Council alerting them to what has happened and allowing them to resolve the situation. Response Group has committed financial assistance towards the development, installation and integration of the necessary equipment.

Speaking on behalf of Response Group, Geoff O’Sullivan Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to be able to assist Limerick County Council with this project and we are looking forward to providing and maintaining the technology and range of services necessary to make this project a success. I’d also like to commend our technology partner Mike Mc Ennis from Celtrak for his work on this initiative.”

John Leech, Irish Water Safety CEO, said: “Lifebuoys are crucial to preventing drownings in Irish waterways. Removal of lifebuoys from their set locations endangers lives and this new technology will greatly improve the ability of Limerick County Council to ensure lifebuoys are in their correct locations when they are needed.”

"The message we constantly try to get across to the public is 'a stolen ringbuoy means a stolen life'”, stated Kevin Sheehan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.

He added, “The Council provides and maintains lifebuoys at more than fifty locations. Some are respected properly, but regrettably some others are frequently vandalised. Anyone who interferes with a lifebelt is endangering a life, and deserves punishment by the rigours of the law for their recklessness. I hope this new technology will enable us to catch these vandals in the act, in cooperation with the Gardai, and I hope it will serve as a warning to them to desist from damaging our vital life-saving equipment'.”

The Irish owned Response Group provides water and environmental services for both public and private clients throughout Ireland. Response offers a wide range of turnkey solutions for the water industry, based on its track record in the design, construction and operation of treatment plants and operating facilities.

Community Groups To ‘Play’ Direct Role

Community groups across County Limerick are set to take on a more direct role in developing playgrounds.

The move follows the launch by Limerick County Council of the ‘Community Playground Grant Scheme’, under which community groups rather than the Local Authority will steer the playground programme. Today’s launch also featured the unveiling of plans to develop a new playground in Askeaton.

Local Councillor and Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Kevin Sheahan, commented, “I am delighted to see that under the Community Playground Grant Scheme the Council will continue to offer advice and, where necessary, technical assistance to communities in developing playgrounds.” The Cathaoirleach expressed confidence that the new partnership approach to developing play facilities would play a significant role in improving the quality of life for local communities across Limerick.

“I would like to congratulate the county’s community groups on the vital role they have already played in developing playgrounds throughout County Limerick. Considering they are working on a voluntary basis it is important that they are supported locally in conjunction with Limerick County Council. The Council looks forward to this positive working relationship continuing into the future with the result that we are making the county a better places to live in and visit”, Councillor Sheahan added.

The process of making the provision of playgrounds more community led was progressed in February 2008 when a draft policy on the matter was endorsed by Limerick County Council’s Social, Cultural and Community Development Strategic Policy Committee. The initiative was referred to and endorsed by all 28 elected representatives of Limerick County Council in March.

Councillor Francis Foley, Chair of the Community & Cultural SPC, described the Community Playground Grant Scheme as a wonderful opportunity to show what can be achieved when the community and local authority worked together. He stated, “The community led playground programme is being fully supported by all local elected representatives, as it will empower community groups to drive the process forward. Under this scheme, the Council will continue to support community groups in delivering further improvements in the quality, quantity and safety of play and play areas throughout the county.”

Under the County Limerick Play Plan 2006-2010, Limerick County Council and local community groups have initiated numerous playground projects throughout the county. Play facilities have been provided at Kilmallock, Cappamore and Newcastle West, while new playgrounds are being constructed in Castletroy and Abbeyfeale. Further playgrounds are planned for Askeaton, Rathkeale, Croom, Kilfinane, Castleconnell and Bruff.

Ms. Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services, Community & Enterprise, stated that there were many benefits associated with a community-led playground programme. She commented, “Groups generally have undertaken fundraising in advance, in certain instances over a number of years, which allows Council funding to be allocated to more groups. A strong, dedicated community playground group exists prior to Council funding being allocated. Local groups have a better understanding of the needs of the locality. Groups manage and maintain the playgrounds after completion. It may be easier for community groups to get land to provide playgrounds and directly negotiate better deals with suppliers.”

Ms. Cotter Coughlan confirmed that Limerick County Council was now inviting expressions of interest from recognised community groups who wished to provide a children’s playground for their area. “Limerick County Council’s policy with regard to playgrounds is that it will assess applications for grants by assessing the benefit to the community and the geographical location of the proposed playground in relation to existing playgrounds. Meanwhile, the community association proposing the playground will be responsible for the design, planning, tendering and construction of the playground”, she concluded.

Limerick County Council will part fund each playground to a maximum amount of €55,000 or 70% of the total cost, whichever is the lower. It will liase with the groups through each of the steps of the process, and is available to provide advice and assistance to the groups.