Annual Report 2011 - Roscommon County Council

Roscommon County Council 

Comhairle Contae Ros Comáin 

Annual Report 

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 

2011

Mission Statement 

To make Roscommon a vibrant place with 

an increasingly enhanced quality of life, 

sustained through employment generation, 

a high quality infrastructure, a strong 

entrepreneurial spirit and by providing 

quality accessible services in a sustainable 

manner in partnership with the community.

Table of Contents 

Mayor’s Message 2 

Manager’s Introduction 3 

Members of Roscommon County Council 5 

Reports of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) 7 

Service Indicators 2011 11 

Community and Enterprise 24 

Corporate and Emergency Services 27 

Development Incentives and Control 32 

Environmental Protection 37 

Finance 40 

Housing and Building 44 

Human Resources 49 

Information Technology 52 

Libraries, Arts, Culture and Heritage 54 

Roads, Transportation and Safety 59 

Water Services 65 

Councillors’ Conferences 67 

Councillors’ Committees 70 

Annual Report 2011 1

Mayor’s Message 

It gives me great pleasure, as Mayor, to introduce this Annual 

Report which outlines the progress of services delivered by 

Roscommon County Council in 2011. 

Roscommon County Council is responsible for providing quality service to all 

our customers. During 2011 we sought improve the economic, social, cultural 

and physical infrastructure throughout the county for all our citizens. We 

continued to maintain a range of quality services provided throughout the 

county during a difficult economic climate. Progress is outlined in housing, 

roads, water, planning, environment, library, arts services, veterinary 

functions, fire services and a range of other areas. 

Eugene Murphy, 

Mayor Roscommon County Council 

The ongoing commitment to supporting communities is also highlighted in 

this report and the Council continues to work in partnership with them to 

promote social inclusion and to encourage participation in the development 

of cultural and environmental programmes. We continue to administer grant 

schemes throughout departments including the Higher Education Grant 

scheme, housing grants, Tidy Towns grants, Cemeteries and Individual 

Water Supply grants. 

2011 was a challenging year, with reductions in financial and staffing 

resources and an increasing population. The achievements in the report 

would not have been realized without the collective input of the Elected 

Members, Chairpersons and Members of the Strategic Policy Committees 

and Area Committees and I thank them for their support and dedication 

during my period as Mayor. I would like to take this opportunity to thank 

the County Manager, Management Team and staff for the work they carry 

out on a daily basis for the development of this county and supporting the 

democratic process in Roscommon. 

The challenges that we continue to face will be addressed with the continued 

commitment of all stakeholders in order to maximize the benefits of limited 

available resources to promote Roscommon as a great place to live, work 

and visit. 

Eugene Murphy 

Mayor Roscommon County Council 

2 Roscommon County Council

Manager’s 

Introduction 

2011 has been another challenging year for Roscommon County Council, with reduced 

funding and reduced staffing numbers. The Council made major adjustments in response 

to the reduction in available financial resources. Whilst the contraction in staffing numbers 

has had an impact on the Council’s capacity to deliver services, the potential impact 

has been minimised by the flexibility shown by the remaining staff to meet our service 

priorities. We continue to provide vital services and infrastructure across the county to a 

population of 64,065, an increase of 9% from 58,768, since 2006. 

The scale and diversity of activities carried out by Roscommon County Council in 2011 is outlined in this Report. 

g g €28m was spent on the county roads investment programme in 2011. 

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The Council provided €50,000 in grant assistance to 74 voluntary groups under the Cemetery 

Improvement and Maintenance Scheme in 2011. 

The Council continues to be a major employer in the county with 544 staff employed. 

Total expenditure under Housing grants schemes for 2011 was €1,850,000 assisting 286 people with 

housing adaptations, mobility aids and assistance for older people. 

33 houses were completed in 2011 under the Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP). 

The IT department implemented the Mapalerter email and SMS location based alert service for members 

of the general public. 

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44 Tidy Towns projects were funded from the total fund of €35,000. 

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As part of the County Roscommon Tourism Strategy 2010 – 2014, a 40-birth marina was developed at 

Lough Key in association with Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Amenity areas have been developed at 

Errit Lake and Lough O’Flynn in partnership with the local community groups. 

Under Roscommon County Council’s Water Conservation Programme, a 25% overall reduction in water 

demand has been achieved at the end of 2011. 

Extensive capital investment to construct new and upgraded infrastructure under the Water Investment 

Programme continued during the year. 

As part of the Libraries Capital Programme, a refurbishment of the County Library Building was completed 

with funding of €400,000. 

Roscommon Arts Centre programmed almost 140 events in the auditorium, workshop and gallery spaces, 

including over 1,500 people attending the 2011 Roscommon Drama Festival. 

The Heritage Office organised a number of events in 2011 as part of the actions outlined County 

Roscommon Heritage Plan. 

Planning Enforcement Section continued to investigate unauthorised development in county Roscommon 

and ensure compliance with conditions of planning permission granted. Under its enforcement action 

Roscommon County Council served Warning Letters in 154 cases, served Enforcement Notices in 55 

cases and initiated legal action in 5 cases in 2011. 


Mayor’s Message 

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In 2011/2012 academic year, Roscommon County Council provided grant aid of almost €4m to 619 

students at undergraduate level and 87 postgraduate students. In addition, 145 students were eligible for 

the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant. 

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Roscommon County Council’s Veterinary Office continued to oversee food safety in 10 slaughterhouses 

and 7 stand-alone meat manufacturing plants. 

Roscommon County Council continued to maintain six fire brigades in Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea, 

Elphin, Roscommon and Strokestown with 57 retained fire service personnel employed. 

Roscommon Civil Defence continued to promote, develop and maintain Civil Defence as an effective 

volunteer-based professional organisation providing emergency response and community support 

services in county Roscommon. 

Almost 90% of national and secondary schools in the county are registered on the Green Schools 

Programme administered by the Environment department. 

Industrial and commercial sites have been developed by Roscommon County Council at Racecourse Road, 

Roscommon and are available for purchase at competitive market prices. These sites, together with the 

network of Enterprise centres in Roscommon, Boyle, Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea support business 

development in the county. 

In 2011 Roscommon County Council led the establishment of a Regional Business Networking event, 

Meetwest, which will continue in 2012. The local authority were also associated with the establishment of 

ReConnect, aimed at engendering business links between the Roscomon business diaspora in London and 

employers in the county. Discretionary Community Funding 

During 2011 planning progressed in respect of the provision of new corporate headquarters. We look forward to 

bringing all sections together, with the consequent cost savings and improvements in operational efficiencies, 

access, health and safety and customer service. 

While there has been a reduction in the quantum of available resources in 2011, the County Council has continued 

to provide services across many strands if community activity. 2011 has been another difficult trading period for 

business. The County Council remains mindful, both of the value of services provided in maintaining the fabric 

of life and also the impact of the level of commercial rate set. 

Despite a very challenging financial climate, the County Council continues to make a huge contribution to the 

local economy. The facilities we provide and the services we deliver are very important to the quality of life in 

the county. 

I would like to acknowledge staff for their dedication and achievements and also the Elected Members who have 

shown resilience and flexibility in responding to the changed circumstances. 

Frank Dawson 

Roscommon County Manager 


Members of Roscommon County Council 



Boyle 

Cllr. John Cummins 

Fianna Fáil 

Cllr. Rachel Doherty 

Fianna Fáil 

Cllr. Gerry Garvey 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Ernie Keenan 

Fine Gael 

Castlerea 

Boyle 

Castlerea 

Strokestown 

Cllr. Liam Callaghan 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Michael Creaton 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice 

Fianna Fáil 

Cllr. Jimmy Cogan 

Non-Party 

Roscommon 

Athlone 

Cllr. John Murphy 

Non-Party 

Cllr. Michael McGreal 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Michael Mulligan 

Sinn Féin 

Strokestown 

Cllr. Seán Beirne 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Valerie Byrne 

Non-Party 

Cllr. Tom Crosby 

Non-Party 

Cllr. Eugene Murphy 

Fianna Fáil 



Members of Roscommon County Council (continued) 


Cllr. Martin Connaughton 

Fianna Fáil 

Cllr. Domnick Connolly 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Laurence Fallon 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Orla Leyden 

Fianna Fáil 

Cllr. Paula McNamara 

Non-Party 

Athlone 

Boyle 

Castlerea 

Strokestown 

Cllr. Jimmy Kenny 

Non-Party 

Cllr. John Keogh 

Fianna Fáil 

Cllr. Paddy Kilduff 

Fianna Fáil 


Athlone 

Cllr. Ollie Moore 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. John Naughten 

Fine Gael 

Cllr. Tony Ward 

Non-Party 


Reports of the 

Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) 

Report on the activities of the Environment and Water 

Services Strategic Policy Committee in 2011 

The following were the members of the Environment and Water Services SPC in 2011: 

Cllr. Seán Beirne, MCC, Chairperson 

Cllr. Domnick Connolly, MCC 

Cllr. Michael Creaton, MCC 

Cllr. Gerry Garvey, MCC 

Cllr. Paula McNamara, MCC 

Cllr. Michael Mulligan, MCC 

Mr. Jim McGrath 

Ms. Eilish Feeley 

Kevin McBrien, Community/Voluntary Sector 

Mr. Donal Greene, IFA 

Four meetings of the SPC were held on the following dates: 10th March 2011; 9th June 2011; 

15th September 2011 and 24th November, 2011. 

The issues discussed and considered by the Committee during 2011 included: 

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Update under Section 10 of the Litter Pollution 

Act 1997 

Provision of Green Waste Facility in Roscommon 

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EPA Water Quality report 2007 – 2009 

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SPC Work Programme and Meeting Dates 

for 2011 

Sustainable Energy Community Application 

European Communities (Waste Directive) 

Regulations 2011 

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Update Sustainable Energy Community 

Application 

RIO + 20 Consultation Process 

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Restructuring of Strategic Policy Committee 2011 

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Presentation: Free Trade Ireland 

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Update on Septic Tank Issue 

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Fracking 


Reports of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) 

Report on the activities of the Housing, Social, Cultural and 

Community Strategic Policy Committee in 2011 

The following were the members of the Housing, Social, Cultural and Community SPC in 2011: 

Cllr. John Keogh, MCC, Chairperson 

Cllr. Liam Callaghan, MCC 

Cllr. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, MCC 

Cllr. James Kenny, MCC 

Cllr. Orla Leyden, MCC 

Cllr. Eugene Murphy, MCC 

Cllr. Jane Suffin, Boyle Town Council 

Ms. Sandra Flanagan, SIPTU 

Ms. Mary Ganly, PWDI 

Mr. Peter Kenny, Roscommon Community Fora 

Mr. John Roche, Roscommon Community Fora 

There were five meetings of the SPC during 2011. 

The following policy documents were discussed, proposed and recommended for adoption to the Council during 

2011: 

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Library Services Draft Development Plan 

2011 – 2014 

Revised Community and Amenity Grants Scheme 

and Tidy Towns Awards 

Fixed-Term Tenant Purchase Scheme 

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Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme 

Policy on Tourism/Leisure Signage on County 

Roscommon’s Road Network 

Heritage Plan for county Roscommon 

Other matters discussed by the SPC during 2011 included: 

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Traveller Accommodation Scheme 

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County Play Policy 

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The Assessment of Housing Needs 

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Long-term leasing 



Report on the activities of the Planning and Economic 

Development Strategic Policy Committee in 2011 

The following were the members of the Planning and Economic Development SPC in 2011: 

Cllr. Tom Crosby, MCC, Chairperson 

Cllr. Laurence Fallon, MCC 

Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice, MCC 

Cllr. Ernie Keenan, MCC 

Cllr. Paddy Kilduff, MCC 

Cllr. Michael McGreal, MCC 

Cllr. John Naughten, MCC 

Cllr. Tony Ward, MCC 

Ms. Anya Greally, Business/Commercial 

Mr. Dermot Kelly, Agriculture 

Mr. Anthony McCormack, Trade Union 

Mr. Alan Moran, Environment 

Ms. Dolores Neary, Community/Voluntary 

The Committee met on two occasions during 2011- on 14th April and 9th November. 

At the meeting of 14th April 2011 Standing Orders were adopted and the committee received reports on and 

discussed; 

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Wind Strategy Consultations 

Incorporation of “Core Strategy” in Development Plans 

Programme of Local Area Plans 

Update on Unfinished Housing Developments 

The meeting of 9th November reports were submitted and discussed on; 

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Core Strategy for County Roscommon 

Draft Tourism Signage Policy 

Wind Energy Strategy 



Report on the activities of the Roads and Transportation 

Strategic Policy Committee in 2011 

The following were the members of the Roads and Transportation SPC in 2011: 

Cllr. John Cummins, MCC, Chairperson 

Cllr. Valerie Byrne, MCC 

Cllr. Martin Connaughton, MCC 

Cllr. Jimmy Cogan, MCC 

Cllr. Rachel Doherty, MCC 

Cllr. Ollie Moore, MCC 

Cllr. Keith Suffin, Boyle Town Council 

Ms. Mary Clifford 

Mr. Sean Flanagan 

Mr. Percy Flynn 

Mr. Howard Preston 

Mr. Bernie Kearney 

Four meetings of the Roads, Transportation and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee were held 

during 2011 on the following dates: 

13th April, 2011; 29th June, 2011; 12th October, 2011; 14th December, 2011. 

The following matters were dealt with: 

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National and Non-National Road Grant 

Allocations 2011 

Progress Report on Capital Road Projects 

Cemetery Maintenance and Improvement Grant 

Scheme 2011 

Speed Limit Bye-Laws 

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Local Improvement Schemes 2011 

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Non-Coastal Minor Flood Mitigation Works 

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Draft Tourism Signage Policy 

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Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment 

and Management Programme 

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Regional and Local Roads Funding 2011 

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Jobs Initiative Smarter Travel Funding Package 

– Allocations 2011 

gg 

Local Authorities Sports Capital Allocations 2011 

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2011 Roads Programme 

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Roads Maintenance Policy 


Service Indicators 2011 

F: FIRE SERVICE 

F1: Fire Service Mobilisation 

A. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in Full-Time Stations in respect of fire 

B. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in Part-Time Stations (retained fire service) in 

respect of fire 

C. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in Full-Time Stations in respect of all other 

emergency incidents 

No fulltime 

stations 

5.83 

No fulltime 

stations 

D. Average time taken, in minutes, to mobilise fire brigades in Part-Time Stations (retained fire service) in 

respect of all other emergency incidents 

6.05 

F2: Percentage of attendances at scenes 

A. Percentage of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance is at the scene within 10 minutes 32.13 

B. Percentage of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance is at the scene after 10 minutes but 

within 20 minutes 

54.15 

C. Percentage of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance is at the scene after 20 minutes 13.72 

D. Percentage of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance is at the 

scene within 10 minutes 

29.84 

E. Percentage of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance is at the 

scene after 10 minutes but within 20 minutes 

63.71 

F. Percentage of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance is at the 

scene after 20 minutes 

6.45 

Total number of incidents in respect of fire 277 

Number of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance is at the scene within 10 minutes 89 

Number of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance is at the scene after 10 minutes but within 20 

minutes 

150 

Number of cases in respect of fire in which first attendance is at the scene after 20 minutes 38 

Total number of incidents in respect of all other emergency incidents (e.g. not including fire) 124 

Number of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance is at the scene within 

10 minutes 

Number of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance is at the s cene after 

10 minutes but within 20 minutes 

Number of cases in respect of all other emergency incidents in which first attendance is at the scene after 

20 minutes. 

37 

79 

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F3: Fire Prevention 

A. Total number of fire safety certificate applications received 37 

B. Total number of fire safety certificate applications processed (including cases deemed invalid) 37 

C. Total number of applications deemed invalid 0 

CP: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION 

CP1: Participation in local Youth Council/Comhairle na n-Óg scheme 

Percentage of local schools and youth groups involved in the local Youth Council/ Comhairle na n-Óg scheme 72.92 

Total number of local schools and youth groups 48 

Number of local schools and youth groups involved in the local Youth Council/Comhairle na n-Óg scheme 35 

CP2: Groups registered with the Community and Voluntary Forum 

Number of groups registered with the Community and Voluntary Forum 393 

3.3 CORPORATE ISSUES 

C1: Working Days lost to Sickness 

A. Percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave 5.17 

B. Percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through uncertified leave 0.53 

Number of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave 5438 

Number of working days lost to sickness absence through uncertified leave 557 

Total Number of staff (Whole Time Equivalent) at the end of December 2011 (as per DEHLG staffing return for 

the end of 2011) 

461.07 

C2: Staff Training and Development 

Expenditure on Training and Development as a percentage of total payroll costs: 5.24 

E: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 

WATER 

E1: Unaccounted For Water 

Unaccounted for water (UFW) as a percentage of total volume of water supplied under the water supply 

schemes that the local authority is responsible for 

Total volume of water supplied (m³/day) under the water supply schemes that the local authority is 

responsible for 

Volume of unaccounted for water (m³/day) under the water supply schemes that the local authority is 

responsible for 

52.74 

37039 

19536 

E2: Drinking Water Analysis 

A. Percentage of drinking water analysis results in compliance with statutory requirements with 

regard to public schemes 

B. Percentage of drinking water analysis results in compliance with statutory requirements with 

regard to private schemes (where appropriate) 

98.7 

92.7 

continued > 



WASTE MANAGEMENT 

E3: Waste Segregation 

A. Percentage of households who receive a waste collection service and are provided with segregated 

waste collection for dry recyclables 

B. Percentage of households who receive a waste collection service and are provided with segregated 

waste collection for organics 

Total number of households provided with a waste collection service 

(Including users of Civic Amenity Sites and Transfer Stations) 

100 

17.84 

14192 

Number of households provided with segregated waste collection service for recyclables 14192 

Number of households provided with a segregated waste collection service for organics 2532 

E4: Housing Waste sent for Recycling 

A. Percentage of household waste collected from kerbside, which is sent for recycling 24.06 

B. Tonnage of household waste collected from kerbside, which is sent for recycling 3192.93 

C. Tonnage of household waste recycled, which arises from waste collected from recycling facilities 

(i.e. bring banks, civic amenity centres, transfer stations and other recycling facilities) 

2759.68 

Total tonnage of household waste collected from kerbside 13269.7 

Tonnage of household waste collected from kerbside, which is sent for recycling 3192.93 

Tonnage of household waste collected from kerbside, which is landfilled 10076.76 

Tonnage of household waste recycled, which arises from waste collected from recycling facilities (i.e. 

bring banks, civic amenity centres, transfer stations and other recycling facilities) 

2759.68 

E5: Household Waste Sent for Landfill 

A. The percentage of household waste collected which is sent to landfill 75.94 

B. The tonnage of household waste collected which is sent to landfill 10076.76 

Total tonnage of household waste collected 13269.7 

Total tonnage of household waste which is sent to landfill 10076.76 

E6: Recycling Facilities 

The total number of Bring Sites in the local authority area 40 

The total number of Civic Amenity Centres in the local authority area 4 

Glass 

A. The number of Bring Sites for recycling 40 

B. The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

C. The total number of facilities for recycling 44 

D. The number of locations for recycling per 5,000 of population 3.44 

The number of Bring Sites for recycling 40 

The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

continued > 



Cans 

E. The number of Bring Sites for recycling 40 

F. The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

G. The total number of facilities for recycling 44 

H. The number of locations for recycling per 5,000 of population 3.44 



Textiles 

I. The number of Bring Sites for recycling 22 

J. The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

K. The total number of facilities for recycling 26 

L. The number of locations for recycling per 5,000 of population 2.03 



Batteries 

M. The number of Bring Sites for recycling 0 

N. The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

O. The total number of facilities for recycling 4 

P. The number of locations for recycling per 5,000 of population 0.31 



Oils 

Q. The number of Bring Sites for recycling 0 

R. The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

S. The total number of facilities for recycling 4 

T. The number of locations for recycling per 5,000 of population 0.31 

The number of Bring sites for recycling 0 


Other materials 

U. The number of Bring Sites for recycling 0 

V. The number of Civic Amenity Centres for recycling 4 

W. The total number of facilities for recycling 4 

X. The number of locations for recycling per 5,000 of population 0.31 

The number of Bring sites for recycling 0 


continued > 



LITTER 

E7: Litter Prevention and Enforcement 

A. Number of full-time litter wardens 2 

B. Number of part-time litter wardens 2 

C. Number of litter wardens (both full- and part-time) per 5,000 population 0.31 

D. Number of on-the-spot fines issued 114 

E. Number of on-the-spot fines paid 43 

F. Number of prosecution cases taken because of non-payment of on-the-spot fines 2 

G. Number of prosecutions secured in cases taken because of non-payment of on-the-spot fines 1 

H. Number of notices issued (under sections 9, 15, 16, 17 and 20 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997) 15 

I. Total number of prosecutions taken (all prosecutions under the Litter Acts 1997 to 2003) 2 

J. Total number of prosecutions secured (all prosecutions under the Litter Acts 1997 to 2003) 1 

K. Percentage of areas in the local authority that are unpolluted (i.e. litter-free) 10 

L. Percentage of areas in the local authority that are slightly polluted with litter 65 

M. Percentage of areas in the local authority that are moderately polluted with litter 23 

N. Percentage of areas in the local authority that are significantly polluted with litter 3 

O. Percentage of areas in the local authority that are grossly polluted with litter 0 

Number of full- time wardens 2 

Number of part-time litter wardens 2 

Number of on-the-spot fines issued 114 

Number of on-the-spot fines paid 43 

Number of prosecution cases taken because of non-payment of on-the-spot fines (2 instigated in 2011) 2 

Number of Prosecutions secured in cases taken because of non-payment of on-the spot fines. (2nd case 

heard in 2012) 

1 

Number of notices issued (under sections 9, 15, 16, 17 and 20 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997) 15 

Number of prosecutions taken (all prosecutions under the Litter Acts 1997 to 2003) (2 instigated in 2011) 2 

Number of prosecutions secured (all prosecutions under the Litter Acts 1997 to 2003) (2nd case heard in 2012) 1 

E8: Environmental Complaints and Enforcement 

A. Total number of cases subject to complaints concerning environmental pollution (relating to waste, 

litter, water pollution, noise pollution, air pollution) 

772 

B. Number of complaints investigated 752 

C. Number of complaints resolved where no further action was necessary 

Additional 519 complaints closed where further action was required 

D. Number of enforcement procedures taken 

Includes Section 55, 71, 18 WMA, S12, 16 WPA; S25 Packaging Regs. Does not include litter fines 

164 

118 

E9: Percentage of schools participating in environmental campaigns 

A. Percentage of primary schools participating in environmental campaigns 90.82 

B. Percentage of secondary schools participating in environmental campaigns 90 

Total number of primary schools (Includes 3 Play Groups & 1 Youth Club) 98 

Number of primary schools participating in environmental campaigns (Includes 3 Play Groups & 1 Youth 

Club) 

89 

Total number of secondary schools (Includes 1 Youth Reach Group) 10 

Number of secondary schools participating in environmental campaigns (Includes 1 Youth Reach Group) 9 



H: HOUSING 

H1: Housing Vacancies 

A. The total number of dwellings in local authority stock 1351 

B. The total number of dwellings, excluding those subject to major refurbishment projects 1318 

C. The overall percentage of dwellings that are empty (excluding those subject to major refurbishment 

projects) 

4.17 

D. The percentage of empty dwellings unavailable for letting 76.36 

E. The percentage of empty dwellings available for letting 23.64 

The average number of dwellings in local authority stock 1351 

The average total number of dwellings, excluding those subject to major refurbishment projects 1318 

The average number of dwellings that are empty (excluding those subject to major refurbishment projects) 55 

The average number of empty dwellings unavailable for letting 42 

The average number of empty dwellings available for letting 13 

H2: Average Time Taken to Re-let Available dwellings 

The average time taken (in weeks) from the date of vacation of dwelling to the date when all necessary repairs 

are carried out which are deemed necessary to re-let the dwelling 

37 

The average time taken (in weeks) from the works (above) being completed to the date of the first rent debit 10.8 

H3: Housing Repairs 

Number of repairs completed as a percentage of the number of valid repair requests received 74.01 

Number of repairs completed 746 

The number of valid repair requests received 1008 

H4: Traveller Accommodation 

Total number of traveller families accommodated as a percentage of the targets set in the local traveller 

accommodation programme 

Number of Traveller families accommodated 

(Target set in Programme for further development of Group Housing Scheme in Roscommon Town; however, 

no demand was identified in 2011. Similarly there was no demand identified in relation to the target set for 

single instance housing. Under RAS it was not possible to source large enough house to meet needs of family.) 

Target number of Traveller families to be accommodated in the year, as set out in the local Traveller 

accommodation programme 

6.67 

1 

15 

H5: Enforcement of standards in the private rented sector 

A. Total number of registered tenancies 1895 

B. Number of dwelling units inspected 317 

C. Number of inspections carried out 451 

D. Number of dwellings inspected as a percentage of registered tenancies 

(i.e. B as percentage of A) 

16.73 

Total Number of registered tenancies 1895 

Number of dwelling units inspected 317 

Number of inspections carried out 451 

continued > 



H6: Grants to adapt housing for the needs of people with a disability 

A. Average time taken (in weeks) to process applications under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, including any 

necessary inspection(s), from the date of receipt of a valid application to the date of decision on the application 

B. Average time taken (in weeks) to process applications under Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a 

Disability, including any necessary inspection(s), from the date of receipt, to the date of decision on the 

application. (Significant reduction in allocation of funding for the Grant Schemes resulted in necessity to expend 

more time prioritising resources.) 

21 

30 

H7: Pre-Tenancy Familiarisation Courses 

A. Total number of new local authority tenants 102 

B. Percentage of new local authority tenants who have been offered pre-tenancy familiarisation courses 88.24 

Total number of new local authority tenants. (Allocations for 2011 include a number of transfers where the tenants 

already had participated in pre tenancy courses) 

102 

Number of new local authority tenants who have been offered pre-tenancy familiarisation courses 90 

L: LIBRARY SERVICES 

L1: Library Public Opening Hours 

A. Average number of opening hours per week for full-time libraries 26.3 

B. Average number of opening hours per week for part-time libraries (where applicable) 21.93 

C. Percentage of full time libraries that have lunchtime openings 100 

D. Percentage of full time libraries that have evening openings 100 

E. Percentage of full time libraries that have Saturday openings 100 

Average number of opening hours per week for full-time libraries 

(Reduction in average due to four month County Library Refurbishment Works Project July – October 2011. 

Temporary and limited service available at Roscommon with 251 hours of reduced opening hours for period.) 

26.3 

Average number of opening hours per week for part-time libraries 21.93 

Number of full time libraries that have lunchtime openings 3 

Number of full time libraries that have evening openings 3 

Number of full time libraries that have Saturday openings 3 

L2: Library Visits 

Number of visits to full time libraries per 1,000 population 1613.13 

Total number of visits to full time libraries 

(Reduction on average library visits figure for Roscommon due to County Library Refurbishment Works) 

103076 

L3: Library Stock 

A. Annual expenditure on stock per head of population (county/city wide) 1.53 

B. Number of items issued per head of population (county/city wide) for books 2.24 

C. Number of items issued per head of population (county/city wide) for other items 0.60 

Annual expenditure on stock 97514 

Total number of books issued 143441 

Total number of other items issued 

(Reduction in issues of approx. 18,000 over year due to restricted/reduced access to services at Roscommon) 

38307 

L4: Internet Access through Libraries 

Number of Internet sessions provided per 1,000 population 120.02 

Total number of Internet sessions provided 7669 



M: MOTOR TAXATION 

M1: Number of Motor Tax Transactions 

A. Number of motor tax transactions which are dealt with over the counter for which payment is made 43904 

B. Number of motor tax transactions which are dealt with by post 14485 

C. Number of motor tax transactions which are dealt with in other ways (e.g. online, by telephone) 21279 

D. Percentage of Motor Tax Transactions which are dealt with over the counter 55.11 

E. Percentage of Motor Tax Transactions which are dealt with by post 18.18 

F. Percentage of motor tax transactions which are dealt with in other ways (e.g. online, by 

telephone) 

26.71 

M2: Time Taken to Process Motor Tax Postal Applications 

A. Number of postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) on the same day as receipt 

of the application 

B. Number of postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) on the second or third day 

from receipt of the application 

C. Number of postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) on the fourth or fifth day 


D. Number of postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) in over five days from 

receipt of the application 

E. Percentage of overall postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) on the same day 

as receipt of the application 

F. Percentage of overall postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) on the second or 

third day from receipt of the application 

G. Percentage of overall postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) on the fourth or 

fifth day from receipt of the application 

H. Percentage of overall postal applications which are dealt with (i.e. disc issued) in over five days 


14477 

4 

0 

4 

99.94 

0.03 

0 

0.03 

M3: Time Taken to Process Driving Licence Applications 

A. Number of Driving Licence applications which are dealt with on the same day as receipt of the 

application 

B. Number of Driving Licence applications which are dealt with on the second or third day from 


C. Number of Driving Licence applications which are dealt with on the fourth or fifth day from 


D. Number of Driving Licence applications which are dealt with in over five days from receipt of the 

application 

E. Percentage of overall Driving Licence applications which are dealt with on the same day as 


F. Percentage of overall Driving Licence applications which are dealt with on the second or third 

day from receipt of the application 

G. Percentage of overall Driving Licence applications which are dealt with on the fourth or fifth day 


H. Percentage of overall Driving Licence applications which are dealt with in over five days from 


717 

4661 

2066 

1645 

7.89 

51.28 

22.73 

18.10 

M4: Public Opening Hours 

Average number of opening hours per week 26.55 



P: PLANNING 

P1: Planning Applications - Decision Making 

Individual Houses 

A. Number of applications decided 144 

B. Number of decisions in Column A which were decided within 8 weeks 54 

C. Number of decisions in Column A which required the submission of further information 90 

D. Number of decisions in Column A where an extension of time was agreed to by the applicant, 

under section 34(9) of the Planning and development Act 2000 

E. Average length of time taken (in days) to decide an application where further information was 

sought 

0 

72.77 

F. Percentage of applications granted 77.78 

G. Percentage of applications refused 22.22 

H. Percentage of cases where the decision was confirmed, with or without variations, by An Bord 

Pleanála 

66.67 

I. Percentage of cases where the decision was reversed by An Bord Pleanála 33.33 

Number of applications decided 144 

Number of decisions which were decided within 8 weeks 54 

Number of decisions which required the submission of further information 90 

Number of decisions where an extension of time was agreed to by the applicant, under section 34 (9) of 

the Planning and development Act 2000 

0 

Average length of time taken (in days) to decide an application where further information was sought. 72.77 

Number of applications granted 112 

Number of applications refused 32 

Number of cases where the decision was confirmed, with or without variations, by An Bord Pleanála 6 

Number of cases where the decision was reversed by An Bord Pleanála 3 

New Housing Development 







sought 

0 

62.62 




Pleanála 

66.67 




continued > 






0 






Other: not requiring Environment Impact Assessment 

A. Number of applications decided 

Includes 4 Extension of Duration applications and 7 pre-2000 Act files 

251 






sought 

0 

77.54 




Pleanála 

71.43 







0 






Other: requiring Environment Impact Assessment 







sought 

0 

109 

F. Percentage of applications granted 100 

continued > 



G. Percentage of applications refused 0 


Pleanála 

0 

I. Percentage of cases where the decision was reversed by An Bord Pleanála 0 






0 

Average length of time taken (in days) to decide an application where further information was sought. 109 





P2: Planning Enforcement 

A. Total number of cases subject to complaints that were investigated 

(This includes all cases opened in the year from internal or external complaints but excludes 

cases where the only non-compliance is financial) 

179 

B. Total number of cases subject to complaints that were dismissed 3 

C. Total number of cases subject to complaints that were resolved through negotiations 

Cases where retention was granted but the case was not confirmed as closed were not included. 

Cases where the developer ceased or removed an unauthorised development only on foot of an 

enforcement action could not be defined as “negotiated” and were not therefore included. Increase 

due to revised methodology – all cases closed in 2011 were considered, not just those subject to 

complaint in the year in question as had been done in previous years 

21 

D. Number of enforcement procedures taken through warning letters 154 

E. Number of enforcement procedures taken through enforcement notices 55 

F. Number of prosecutions 

This figure is the number of cases where a summons were first issued in the year in question in 

relation to prosecutions under Section 151, 154 or 156 and cases where a first hearing in court 

took place in the year in question under Section 160 

5 

P3: Planning Public opening hours 

Average number of opening hours per week 30 

P4: Pre-Planning Consultation 

A. Number of pre-planning consultation meetings held 

Total number of meetings both formal & informal in Planning Department 

B. Average length of time (in days) from request for consultation with local authority to actual formal 

meeting for pre-planning consultation. Average of all meetings held 

196 

5.6 

P5: New Buildings inspected 

Buildings inspected as a percentage of new buildings notified to the local authority 12.98 

Total number of new buildings notified to the local authority 

Building control officer on long-term absence in 2011. Arrangements made to carry out this function 

from existing staff resources in 2012. 

131 

Number of new buildings notified to the local authority that were inspected 17 

continued > 



P6: Taking Estates in Charge 

A. The number of residential estates for which the planning permission has expired, in respect of 

which formal written requests for taking in charge (from residents or developers), were on hands 

at the beginning of the year 

101 

B. Number of estates that were taken in charge in the year in question 6 

C. Number of dwellings in respect of column B 128 

D. Percentage of estates in column A not completed to satisfaction of the planning authority in line 

with the planning permission 

As the guidelines are silent as to at what point during 2011 the Planning Authority is not satisfied 

(as it may well be the case that a development that is not satisfactory at the beginning of the 

year, is satisfactory by the end), for the purposes of these returns we have assumed that the 

information sought relates to the start of the year (as this is what A relates to). 

E. Number of estates in column D in respect of which enforcement action was taken in the year in 

question and/or the bond was called in 

F. Number of estates in column D in respect of which works were undertaken by the authority to 

bring the estate to taking in charge standard 

Number of residential estates for which the planning permission has expired, in respect of which formal 

written requests for taking in charge (from residents or developers), were on hands at the beginning of 

the year 

96.04 

16 

2 

101 

Number of estates that were taken in charge in the year in question 6 

Total number of dwellings in these estates 128 

Number of estates in column A not completed to satisfaction of the planning authority in line with the 

planning permission 

Number of estates in column D in respect of which enforcement action was taken in the year in question 

and/or the bond was called in 

Number of estates in column D in respect of which works were undertaken by the authority to bring the 

estate to taking in charge standard 

97 

16 

2 

Rec: RECREATIONAL SERVICES 

Rec.1 Children’s Playgrounds 

A. Number of children’s playgrounds per 1,000 population directly provided by the local authority 0.22 

B. Number of children’s playgrounds per 1,000 population facilitated by the local authority 0.03 

Number of children’s playgrounds directly provided by the local authority 14 

Number of children’s playgrounds facilitated by the local authority 2 

Rec.2 Local Authority-Facilitated Leisure Facilities 

Number of visitors to local authority-facilitated leisure facilities per 1,000 population 3344.82 

Number of visitors to local authority-facilitated leisure facilities 213727 

Rev: REVENUE COLLECTION 

Rev.1 House Rent 

A. Amount collected at year end as a percentage of amount due from House Rent 90.52 

B. Percentage of arrears on House Rent that are up to 4 weeks old 25.3 

C. Percentage of arrears on House Rent that are 4-6 weeks old 12.5 

D. Percentage of arrears on House Rent that are 6-12 weeks old 15.2 

continued > 



E. Percentage of arrears on House Rent that are more than 12 weeks old 47 

Amount due at year end due from House Rent 3928473 

Amount collected at year end due from House Rent 3555887 

Amount of arrears at year end from House Rent 372587 

Amount of arrears on Housing Rent that are up to 4 weeks old 94264.51 

Amount of arrears on Housing Rent that are 4-6 weeks old 46573.38 

Amount of arrears on Housing Rent that are 6-12 weeks old 56633.24 

Amount of arrears on House Rent that are more than 12 weeks old 175115.89 

Rev.2 Housing Loans 

A. Amount collected at year end as a percentage of amount due from Housing Loans 57.24 

B. Percentage of arrears on Housing Loans that are up to 1 month old 1.4 

C. Percentage of arrears on Housing Loans that are 1-2 months old 2.4 

D. Percentage of arrears on Housing Loans that are 2-3 months old 0.8 

E. Percentage of arrears on Housing Loans that are more than 3 months old 95.4 

Amount due at year end from Housing Loans 606690 

Amount collected at year end from Housing Loans 347299.15 

Amount of arrears at year end from Housing Loans 280328 

Amount of arrears on Housing Loans that are up to 1 month old 4017 

Amount of arrears on Housing Loans that are 1-2 month old 6633 

Amount of arrears on Housing Loans that are 2-3 months old 2360 

Amount of arrears on Housing Loans that are more than 3 months old 267318 

Rev.3 Commercial Rates 

Amount collected at year-end as a percentage of amount due from Commercial rates 79 

Rev.4 Refuse Charges 

Percentage of households paying refuse charges (including waivers) at year end 

Rev.5 Non-Domestic Water Charges 

Not Applicable 

Amount collected at year end as a percentage of amount due for Non-Domestic Water Charges 51 

R: ROADS 

R1: Road Restoration Programme 

Number of kilometres of local and regional roads improved and maintained under the Restoration 

Programme per annum. 

The level of block grant received is a factor in the length of road which can be improved and maintained. 

Number of kilometres of local and regional roads constructed under the specific improvement 

grants scheme per annum. 

The level of block grant received is a factor in the length of road which can be improved. 

341.3 

1.6 


Community 

and Enterprise 

The Community and Enterprise Directorate provides support for the 

Roscommon County Development Board and also leads Roscommon County 

Council’s involvement with, and encouragement of, community initiatives, 

the arts, the Irish language, and tourism and enterprise development 

throughout the county. 

Roscommon County Development Board (RCDB) 

The RCDB comprises 30 members representing 20 agencies and development bodies 

throughout county Roscommon. RCDB oversees the implementation of the ten-year strategy 

for the economic, social and cultural development of county Roscommon and promotes 

co-operation and collaboration between all agencies and development bodies operating in 

the county. RCDB prioritises actions to be undertaken by relevant agencies and bodies to 

ensure the co-ordination of public service delivery. Support for RCDB is provided through 

the Community and Enterprise Department. 

Meet West 2011 


Community and Enterprise 

Roscommon Social 

Inclusion Unit (SI Unit) 

The main objective of the SI Unit is to 

embed Social Inclusion in the corporate 

body of Roscommon County Council and 

to co-operate with other organisations 

and agencies throughout the county 

through structures such as RCDB and the 

Social Inclusion Measures Group of the 

RCDB. During 2011 the SI Unit participated 

in a number of Social Inclusion events 

and also ran a very successful programme 

of events during Social Inclusion Week in 

October. The SI Unit organised the second 

Access for All Awards Scheme which was 

a significant success in acknowledging 

the efforts of private sector enterprises in 

increasing accessibility to their businesses. 

Tourism 

Launch of Access for All Awards 2011 

Social Inclusion Week 2011 

2011 was the second year of implementation of the County Roscommon Tourism Strategy 

2010 – 2014. The work of the community tourism networks continued. Roscommon is being 

promoted in the Lakelands. Roscommon County Council adopted their tourism signage policy. A 

40-birth marina was developed at Lough Key and Roscommon County Council was involved 

in the provision of small-scale tourist amenities at Errit Lake, Lake O Flynn throughout the 

county. Virtual Roscommon, the interactive mapping tool, was further developed to include 

relevant tourism information. Roscommon County Council continued to support festivals in 

the county and to work with Fáilte Ireland and Roscommon Leader Partnership to progress 

various tourism projects. 

Lake O Flynn, 


Roscommon Community Fora 

Roscommon County Council continued to support the work of the Community Fora during 

2011. There are two Fora operating in the county – North Roscommon Community Forum and 

South Roscommon Community Forum. They employ one Development Worker who facilitates 

both Fora. The Fora were initially established for the purposes of facilitating the communities’ 

input into the CDB process and into the local authority Strategic Policy Committees. This role 

has broadened to include consultation and involvement with a number of local initiatives. The 

Fora are funded primarily through the Department of the Environment, Community and Local 

Government, DECLG, and Roscommon County Council. 


Community and Enterprise 

Pride of Place Competition 

In 2011 Roscommon County Council nominated 

Roscommon Community Tourism Network to the 

National Pride of Place competition. Pride of Place is 

managed by Cooperation Ireland in conjunction with 

the Local Authorities and is aimed at recognizing 

community initiatives that make a difference on a local 

level. Roscommon Community Tourism Network gave 

a comprehensive presentation to the Pride of Place 

judges and included visits to Lough Key Forest and 

Activity Park, Arigna Mines, King House and Kilronan 

Castle. 

Tidy Towns and Amenity Grants Fund 2011 

As the total amount of funding available under this scheme was significantly reduced in 2011, 

the Community and Amenity Fund Scheme was revised. The revised scheme prioritized the 

work of Tidy Towns Associations and Local Development Associations in undertaking smallscale 

capital amenity projects to benefit their local area. A total of 44 projects were allocated 

funding during 2011. The total fund available in 2011 was €35,000. 

Pride of Place 2011 

FAI Development Officer 

Roscommon County Council made a contribution 

towards the salary of the FAI Development Officer 

who is employed by the FAI to achieve the core 

objectives of: 

gg 

gg 

gg 

The promotion of Social Inclusion through 

Football, particularly in geographic areas 

of disadvantage 

Deliver active football development to key 

target communities 

Ensuring delivery of integrated football 

development programmes throughout 

the community 

Joint Policing Committee 

Five meetings of the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee (JPC) were held during 

2011. One public meeting of the JPC on the theme of Community Alert, took place in the Abbey 

Hotel, Roscommon town on 14th September 2011. Mr. John Lonergan, author and former 

Governor of Mountjoy Prison, was the guest speaker and he delivered a wide ranging, highly 

interesting and informative speech to the well-attended meeting. The JPC implemented a 

number of actions during 2011 including holding a joint meeting with County Roscommon 

Road Safety Committee; carrying out a review of community alert groups throughout the 

county with a view to strengthening and supporting their work; reviewing crime and detection 

statistics for the county. 


Corporate and 

Emergency Services 

The Corporate Services Section provides: Support Services to Council 

Management; Organising and Servicing meetings of the Council and its subcommittees; 

Training, Conference administration and expenses payments for 

the Elected Members; Register of Electors Compilation; Higher Education 

Grants; Insurances; Property Management; Safety, Health and Welfare at 

Work, Veterinary Functions, Civic Receptions, Customer Services function, 

Freedom of Information and Town Twinning. 

Register of Electors 

Roscommon County Council, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 1992, 

1997 and Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, published two versions of the register i.e. 

The ”Edited” Register and the “Full” Register both which came into force on 15th February 2011. 

Table 1. Dáil Constituency 

Dáil Constituency Presidential Electors Dáil Electors 

Roscommon - South Leitrim 45,412 46,777 

Table 2. European Parliament Constituency 

European Parliament Constituency 

European Electors 

North – West 46,863 

Table 3. Roscommon Local Electoral Areas 

Local Electoral Areas 

Number of Electors 

Athlone 11,202 

Boyle 7,639 

Castlerea 12,721 

Roscommon 8,741 

Strokestown 7,655 

Total 47,958 


Corporate and Emergency Services 

Higher Education Grants 

Roscommon County Council administers the Higher Education Grants Scheme in 2011 for 

students entering 3rd level education. Candidates must be pursuing a full-time undergraduate 

course for a minimum of two year duration in a University or third level institution, which 

is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in Ireland or another E.U. 

Member State, or full-time postgraduate courses for a minimum of 1 year in Ireland, including 

Northern Ireland. Terms and conditions apply. 

In 2011/2012 academic year, Roscommon County Council grant aided 619 students at 

undergraduate level and 87 postgraduate students. Almost €4m was paid on behalf of students. 

In addition, 145 students were eligible for the Special Rate of Maintenance (Top-Up) Grant. 

The Department of Education have announced that from September 2012 all new applicants 

for Higher Education Grants must apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI – 

a division of the City of Dublin VEC). Local Authorities will continue to process renewal 

applications for students to whom they are already paying grants until those students have 

completed their current courses. 

Derelict Sites 

The Derelict Site Act 1990 provides for effective arrangements against land dereliction. 

Section 3 of the Act requires local authorities to maintain a register of derelict sites. In 

addition, it places a general duty on owners and occupiers of land including statutory bodies 

and state authorities to prevent land from becoming or from continuing to be a derelict site. 

The local authority must take all reasonable steps to ensure that land in their functional area 

does not become or continue to be a derelict site. 

Dog Control 

Under the provisions of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, the Local Authority is responsible 

for the control of dogs within the area of county Roscommon. This task is undertaken in 

association with the I.S.P.C.A. with direct contribution from Roscommon County Council’s 

of €97,754 in 2011. 

In 2011, 280 stray/unwanted dogs were handled at the dog pound: 30 were re-claimed by 

owners; 47 were allocated new homes and, regrettably, 203 had to be put down. All dog 

owners are required by law to have a current dog licence which can be purchased from any 

Post Office a cost of €20. 3,193 Dog Licences were issued in 2011 and the total income from 

licences and fines was €32,100. 

Veterinary Functions 

Roscommon County Council operates a service contract with the Food Safety Authority 

of Ireland, F.S.A.I., to oversee food safety in 10 slaughterhouses and 7 stand-alone meat 

manufacturing plants. The supervision of slaughter is carried out by Roscommon County 

Council’s Veterinary Officer and Temporary Veterinary Inspectors, T.V.I.s. All animals are 

inspected ante-mortem to ensure they are healthy and fit for slaughter.The traceability of 

the animals is also verified. All slaughtered animals are inspected post-mortem to ensure 

the meat is fit for human consumption. All meat that has been passed as fit to eat is stamped 

with a health mark consisting of an oval with the letters Ireland, the approval number of the 

premises and the letters E.C. In 2011, 3,230 cattle and 6,592 sheep were slaughtered in Local 

Authority supervised slaughterhouses in county Roscommon. 



Health and Safety 

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 requires employers, their representative 

management and employees alike to consider safety as a joint responsibility. It is the intention of 

Roscommon County Council to ensure as much as is reasonably practicable the safety, health and 

welfare of all its employees. The Health and Safety Work Programme for 2011 included the following: 

gg 

gg 

gg 

gg 

gg 

gg 

gg 

gg 

Further development of the formalised Safety Management System and the Construction 

Project Management System 

Communication and co-operation enhancement 

Fulfilment of health and safety training requirements 

Monitoring of Safety Management System 

Fire Safety programme development 

Occupational Health and Welfare Program development 

Confined Spaces procedure development 

Manual Handling program development 

Freedom of Information 

The Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2003 enable members of the public to obtain, to the greatest 

extent possible consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy, access to information in 

the possession of public bodies. Specifically the Acts provide for: 

gg 

gg 

gg 

A legal right to access records held by public bodies. 

A legal right for every person to have personal information contained within a record 

amended where incomplete, incorrect or misleading. 

A legal right by persons to obtain reasons for decisions that affects them. 

Making a Request 

A person who wishes to exercise the right under the Freedom of Information Acts to 

access records held by Roscommon County Council is required to make a valid request. 

A valid request must: 

gg 

Be made in writing 

gg 

State that the request is being made under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2003 

gg 

Contain sufficient particulars to enable the records concerned to be identified. 

In addition a standard fee of €15 is required for the making of a request to access records containing 

non-personal information. A reduced fee of €10 applies if the person making such a request 

possesses a medical card. 

Table 4: FOI Applications Received 2011 

No. of Requests undetermined at 1st January 2011 0 

No. of Requests received during 2011 25 

No. of Requests granted 15 

No. of Requests part granted 5 

No. of Requests refused 3 

No. of Requests Transferred, Withdrawn or dealt with outside of FOI 1 

No. of Requests undetermined at 31st December 2011 1 

Fire Services 



Roscommon County Council maintains six fire brigades in 

Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea, Elphin, Roscommon and 

Strokestown with 57 retained fire service personnel employed. 

Athlone Town Council and Galway, Mayo, Leitrim and Longford 

County Councils cover other parts of the county. Roscommon Fire 

Service also covers border areas of neighbouring counties. 

Major Emergency Planning 

A Major Emergency is defined as: 

“Any event which, usually with little or no warning, 

causes or threatens death or injury, serious disruption of 

essential services or damage to property, the environment 

or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the 

principal emergency services in the area in which the event 

occurs, and requires the activation of specific additional 

procedures and the mobilisation of additional resources to 

ensure an effective, co-ordinated response.” 

Roscommon County Council’s Major Emergency Plan was developed 

in conjunction with the Health Service Executive and An Garda 

Siochána. Staff undergo regular training in preparation for such an 

Emergency. The plan was revised and updated in 2011 and its aims 

are: 

gg 

gg 

gg 

To protect and preserve the safety, health and welfare of all 

persons affected by a major emergency. 

To limit and prevent damage and destruction to the 

environment. 

To minimise disruption and to assist and support communities 

to return to normality as soon as possible. 



Civil Defence 

Mission Statement 

“To promote, develop and maintain Civil Defence as an effective 

volunteer based professional organisation providing emergency 

response and community support services.” 

Roscommon Civil Defence 

Roscommon County Council is responsible for the Civil Defence service within the county. 

These volunteers work under the direction of the Civil Defence Officer. Roscommon Civil 

Defence is equipped with a fleet of vehicles, which include 4x4 jeeps, rigid inflatable boats, 

kayaks, ambulances, fire truck, personnel carriers and a mobile catering unit. 

Persons aged 16 years or over can apply to become a volunteer by contacting Mr. Ray Dunne, 

Civil Defence Officer at 090 6637100 or can request information via the Civil Defence 

website, www.civildefence.ie 

Services Provided 

First Aid - Provision of a first aid and ambulance service; Search and Rescue - urban rescue, 

open country search for missing persons and water based search and recovery; Auxiliary Fire 

Service - assist the retained fire fighting service if requested; Warden - Logging, monitoring 

and reporting of radiation activities; Welfare - provision of hot meals, drinks and psychosocial 

support. Provide assistance and care for homeless or misplaced persons; Communications 

– UHF/VHF and Marine Band radio systems; Assistance during sever weather. An Garda 

Siochána called on Roscommon Civil Defence during 2011 to assist in the search for missing 

persons in different locations throughout county. 

Training and Development 

Weekly training classes for Volunteers are ongoing. A Regional Exercise was organised by 

Roscommon Civil Defence on the 15th October 2011, participating counties Galway, Mayo, 

Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim were exercised in various disciplines including Casualty, Rescue, 

Communications, AFS and Foot Drill. The Roscommon team participated in a Regional 

Exercise in Cavan the next day and were awarded first place in the casualty section. 

Roscommon Civil Defence 

Exercise - Search and Rescue 

Operations on Lough Ree 

Roscommon Civil Defence is actively engaged in new developments within Civil Defence 

including the following: Volunteer Register; Garda Vetting; Child Protection policies; Vaccination 

Policy; Health and Safety Policies; Water Awareness; Technical Rescue; Emergency Medical 

Practitioner; Driver Awareness Training; Manual Handling; People Moving. 


Development Incentives and Control 

This programme group covers the functions of the Planning Section under the Planning and 

Development Acts 1963 – 2011. Activities carried out under this Programme are divided 

into three main areas: 

1. Development Management (including Planning General Office and Conservation Office) constitutes 

the Council’s regulatory role in relation to its planning function. It focuses on the planning application 

process, licences for temporary works, declarations on exempt development, protected structures and 

certificates under Part V. 

2. Planning Enforcement focuses on compliance with conditions of Planning Permissions and taking of 

enforcement action against persons engaged in unauthorised development, safety of Unfinished Estates 

and assessment of Quarry Developments. 

3. Forward Planning concentrates on the policy role of the Council’s planning function. It includes the 

making and adoption of the County Development Plan, Local Area Plans for towns and discretionary 

development plans for smaller towns and villages and Special Objective Plans for areas that are likely to 

be subject to large scale development. 

Protected Structure Roscommon Abbey 



1. Development Management 

Protected Structure 

Strokestown Park House 

Planning Applications 

There was a fall in the number of planning application received in 2011. Table 1 below 

summarises the numbers and outcome of planning applications in 2011 and the previous 

five years. The scanning of all applications received is ongoing and these documents are 

available on the Council’s web site www.roscommoncoco.ie. The scanning of older files is 

also continuing. In addition, the Geographical Information System, gPlan, is available on the 

Council’s web site. gPlan is a map-based online planning enquiry. It allows the user to query, 

locate and interrogate planning applications through an interactive map, enabling the user 

to interpret the spatial element of any application. Currently data back to 2000 is available. 

Further historical information is being added on an ongoing basis. 

Table 1. Roscommon County Council Planning Applications 2005-2010 

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 

Applications Received 2,581 2,287 1,492 748 710* 583* 

Decisions to Grant 1,450 1,751 1,072 592 491** 447** 

Decisions to Refuse 259 252 137 66 90*** 72*** 

Refusal Rate 15.15% 12.5% 11.3% 10% 15.5% 13.8% 

Number of Appeals 69 83 70 55 43 22 

Appeals upheld by An Bord Pleanála 49 33 47 27 23 23 

*108 Extension of Duration applications received. **101 Extension of Duration to grant. ***6 Extension of Duration to Refuse. 

Conservation Office 

Applications under Structures at Risk Fund were invited during 2011. The purpose of the 

Fund was to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and 

Development Acts 2000 – 2010 and in certain cases, works to safeguard structures within 

Architectural Conservation Areas. Only structures in immediate danger of significant 

deterioration were considered for funding by the Department. Applications were received 

from 3 applicants and submitted to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local 

Government, DECLG. A grant was awarded to one applicant with a total value of €20,000. 

Works completed included roof repairs, repair to corbels, lead ridges and rainwater goods. 



2. Planning Enforcement 

Planning Enforcement Section is responsible for ensuring compliance with conditions of 

planning permission granted and for investigating unauthorised development in county 

Roscommon. The activities of the Planning Enforcement Unit are focussed on three main 

areas; 

gg 

gg 

gg 

Enforcement Action 

Resolution of Unfinished Housing Developments 

Collection of Development Contributions 

Enforcement Action 

Offence of Carrying out Unauthorised Development Pursuant to Section 151 of the Planning 

and Development Acts it is an offence to carry out an unauthorised development. 

Warning Letter: On receipt of a complaint of unauthorised development that is not considered 

to be minor, trivial or vexatious a Warning Letter may be served pursuant to Section 152. A 

Warning Letter advises the owner, occupier, or any other person carrying out the development, 

of the potential consequences of carrying out an unauthorised development and of their right 

to make a submission within four weeks of the date of the letter. Roscommon County Council 

served Warning Letters in 154 cases in 2011. 

Enforcement Notice: Pursuant to Section 154 a Planning Authority may serve an Enforcement 

Notice requiring the owner, occupier or any other person carrying out the development to 

cease or not commence the unauthorised development, as appropriate, or in respect of a 

development for which permission has been granted, requiring that the development will 

proceed in conformity with the permission, or with any condition to which the permission 

is subject. An Enforcement Notice may also require steps to be taken within a specified 

period including where appropriate the removal, demolition or alteration of any structure, 

the discontinuance of any use and the restoration of lands to its condition prior to the 

commencement of the development. Roscommon County Council served Enforcement 

Notices in 55 cases in 2011. 

Legal Action: The Planning Authority may prosecute for the offence under Section 151 of 

carrying out an unauthorised development or the offence under Section 154 of failing to 

comply with an Enforcement Notice. A person who is guilty of an offence shall be liable 

on conviction to fines of up to €5,000 for a summary conviction and up to €12.7 million for 

convictions on indictment. 

A planning authority may also seek a Court Order from the Circuit or High Court pursuant to 

Section 160 requiring that the unauthorised development is not carried out or continued, that 

the development be carried out in accordance with permission granted and/ or that works 

including the restoration, reconstruction, removal, demolition or alteration of any structure 

or other feature be carried out. Roscommon County Council initiated legal action in 5 cases 

in 2011. 



Protected Structure Roscommon Castle 

Resolving Unfinished Housing Developments 

There are currently 230 housing developments in Roscommon that have not been taken in charge, and are 

therefore likely to be unfinished to some degree. Of these developments 114 were considered to be unfinished 

in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) Survey, of which 54 were 

considered to have significant public safety issues. 

An Unfinished Housing Developments team has been put in place by Roscommon County Council and has been 

working to resolve the unfinished housing developments in the county in the following ways; 

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gg 

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Engaging with developers, funding agencies, receivers and/ or residents to agree and implement Site 

Resolution Plans for unfinished housing developments. 

Where it is not possible to agree a solution, and it is considered feasible, enforcement action may be 

taken under the Planning and Development Acts (for non compliance with planning permission) or the 

Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act (in relation to Dangerous Places and Dangerous Structures). 

Works have been carried out in seven developments under the Department of the Environment 

Community and Local Government’s Public Safety Initiative to minimise serious public safety hazards. 

Two hundred and thirteen housing developments in Roscommon that have not been taken in charge are 

subject to bonds as security for the satisfactory completion of the development. Claims have been made 

on bonds in 108 cases. 

Collecting Development Contributions 

In accordance with Section 48 of the Planning & Development Acts 2000 – 2010 the current Development 

Contribution Scheme was adopted by Roscommon County Council and came into effect on the 24th November, 

2008, enabling Roscommon County Council to levy a Development Contribution on all Planning Applications. 

The following table (Table 2) gives details of the contributions levied, invoiced and paid under the Scheme during 

2011, and provides a comparison with 2010. 

Table 2. Development Contribution Scheme 2010 and 2011 

Development Contribution Scheme 2010 2011 

Contributions levied under Planning Permissions granted in year €2,253,484 €1,480,108 

Contributions invoiced in year (Development Commenced) €1,181,620 €1,586,251 

Contributions received under Development Contribution Scheme €1,284,622 €969,317 



3. Forward Planning 

An ongoing programme of Local Area Plans and Village Design Statements are being 

prepared annually. The Boyle, Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen Local Area Plans went on draft 

in 2011 and will come into effect in the second quarter of 2012. Pre draft work is ongoing for 

the Roscommon Local Area Plans and this plan will go on public display in 2012. The Tulsk 

Village Design Statement is in preparation. The Core Strategy document was prepared by the 

end of October 2011 and the variation of the Roscommon County Development Plan 2008 – 

2014 to incorporate it is underway. As part of this process the Housing Strategy and Retail 

Strategy are being reviewed. 

Protected Structure 

Boyle Abbey 

Draft Wind Energy Strategy for the county was published early 2011 and is currently in the 

public consultation process. 


Environmental 

Protection 

Roscommon County Council Environment Section covers a diverse range 

of functions and services. The principal areas are: 

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Pollution Control and Water Quality Management 

Waste Management and Enforcement 

Landfill Management 

Litter Management 

Environmental Awareness 

Civic Amenity Site and Bring Bank Management 

Pollution Control and Water Quality Management 

Pollution control legislation covers areas such as water pollution, air pollution, nuisance and 

noise. Specific activities undertaken in relation to pollution control include investigation of 

water pollution instances, licensing and monitoring of discharges to waters and sewers, 

licensing emissions to air, monitoring drinking water, urban wastewater treatment plant 

performance and monitoring of rivers and lakes. 

Overall Winner of Tidy Schools Competition 2011 - 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel National School Rooskey 


Environmental Protection 

Water Framework Directive 

The Water Framework Directive was adopted in Irish Law by the EC (Water Policy) Regulations 2003 and under 

these regulations River Basin Districts (RBDs) were established. Roscommon is included in the Western RBD 

and the Shannon RBD. Monitoring programmes have been developed to identify the status of the water bodies 

and to allow us to measure future improvements resulting from management actions. Management Plans and 

associated Programmes of Measures have been prepared to cover the period 2011-2015 and took effect from 

15th July 2010 setting out the measures to be taken by all stakeholders and the tools to prioritise the application 

of available resources to these measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of the directive. The four core 

objectives to be achieved in this first and subsequent planning cycles to 2027 are: 

1. Prevent deterioration 

2. Restore good status 

3. Reduce chemical pollution 

4. Achieve protected areas objectives 

Waste Management and Enforcement 

A grant of €136,373 was allocated to Roscommon County Council from the Environment Fund to support 

dedicated and measurable enforcement initiatives. The Enforcement Unit continues to operate and this has 

resulted in a significant increase in enforcement of the Waste Management and Water Pollution Acts. 

Landfill Management 

Capping of Cell 8 was completed in 2011. This concludes the active phase of the landfill. The aftercare of the 

facility now commences. 

Recycling Centres 

Roscommon County Council continues to operate four Recycling Centres located at Boyle, Roscommon, 

Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea. There are now forty bottle banks located throughout the county. In November 

2011, a contract was awarded for the supply and servicing of textile banks at 22 locations throughout county 

Roscommon. 

Waste Storage and Presentation Bye Laws 

The Waste Storage and Presentation Bye Laws set out the requirement for the proper management of waste 

collection and to ensure that environmental pollution is not caused by the operation of waste collection services 

in county Roscommon. Inspections by Litter Wardens on households to ensure compliance with these Bye Laws 

will continue on an ongoing basis. 

Environmental Awareness 

A wide variety of green-enabling services are provided by Roscommon County Council and we are very 

conscious of promoting and encouraging a green attitude and ambition in the outlook and practice of individuals, 

businesses and schools in our functional area. 

Green Schools 

The Green Schools Programme continued in 2011. Almost 90% of secondary schools in the county plus one Youth 

Club and one Youth Reach Group are registered on the Green Schools Programme. 90% of National Schools in 

the county are also registered. There are a total of 75 green flags awarded in the county: 4 secondary schools; 

70 primary schools; 1 creche. Roscommon County Council provides a number of support services to schools 

involved in the Green Schools Programme including school visits, workshops and seminars. 


Environmental Protection 

Overall winner 

of Tidy Estates 

Competition 2011 - 

Station Road, Boyle 

Environmental Competitions 

We encourage community participation through community initiatives such as Golden Mile 

Hedgerow Competition, Tidy Estate Competition, Tidy Cemetery Competition, National Spring 

Clean, Floral Pride and Irish Business Against Litter. 

A new anti-litter competition aimed at secondary school students was initiated in 2011 

whereby students have to write, produce, and act in an anti-litter short film. Copies of all 

short films will be distributed to all schools in the county. 

Adopt-a-Bring Bank Scheme 

Tidy Towns/Community Groups were invited to participate in this scheme to help combat the 

problem of illegal dumping at bring banks around the county. Participants monitor the bring 

banks and report illegal dumping. Groups were also encouraged to enhance the appearance 

of the bring bank facility. 

Department of the Environment Grants 

Two new grants were made available from the Department of the Environment, Community 

and Local Government to Roscommon County Council in 2011. 

A grant of €5,000 for Civic Responsibility Week was used to enhance areas of high amenity 

throughout the county and a further grant of €10,000 was made available to Roscommon 

County Council under the which was used to clean up areas such as lakes, walkways and 

entrances to towns and villages between the months of May and August. 


The Finance Section is responsible for the following: 

Finance 

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Financial management of resources. 

Collection of income. 

Production of Statutory Accounts. 

Motor Taxation. 

Financial Management 

The County Council operates a Revenue Account to meet the day to day cost of the organisation and a Capital 

Account for the provision of assets such as houses, roads and water and sewerage schemes.The level of 

expenditure for the Revenue Account in 2011 was in the region of €68m, where as the Capital Account was 

€30m. The estimated value of the County Council’s assets is in the region of €2bn. 

Income 

The collection of local income is very important to the local authority as it helps with the financing and delivery of 

services to our customers. The biggest discretionary income available to Roscommon County Council is Rates. 

The Annual rate on Valuation (formerly known as the rate in the pound) for 2011 was 74.38, which represented 

a decrease of one percent on the 2010 rate. The total invoiced for the year was €10,527,686, with a collection 

rate of 79% being achieved. 

Financial Statements 

The statutory accounts are produced in line with the Accounting Code of Practice. A surplus of €26,906 resulted 

in 2011, bringing the overall general reserve to a surplus of €99,815. The account will be audited during 2012 by 

the Local Government Auditors Office. 

Motor Taxation 2011 

Table 1 illustrates some statistics relating to Motor Taxation in the five year period 2007 to 2011 inclusive: 

Table 1: Motor Tax Statistics 2007-2011 

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 

No. of Vehicle Licences issued 51,502 51,392 53,473 50,644 49,124 

No. Driving Licences(Full) 4,596 6,158 4,851 7,396 6,988 

No. of Learner Permits issued 3,763 3,374 2,658 2,556 2,593 

The figure above of 49,124 vehicle licences issued in 2011 is the number of tax discs issued in the Motor Tax 

Office in 2011. There were also 21,279 tax discs issued to Roscommon motorists in 2011 by the Motor Tax Online 

Service, these discs issued directly from the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division in Shannon. 

The total income from Motor Taxation (including Driver Licensing) in the County in 2011 was €10,176,993.00. 

The total amount paid to the Motor Tax Online Service by Roscommon motorists taxing online in 2011 was 

€4,489,006.00. Owners of commercial vehicles could renew their tax online (renewal option only) for vehicles 

whose tax expired on or after the end of November 2011. 

The Motor Tax Office public opening hours were extended by a half an hour each day with effect from the 24th 

October 2011. The new opening hours are 9.30a.m. to 1.00p.m. and 2.00p.m. to 4.30p.m., Monday to Friday. 


Finance 

Balance Sheet at 31st December 2011 

2011 2010 

€ € 

Fixed Assets 

Operational 177,203,551 159,731,022 

Infrastructural 1,831,674,699 1,837,765,688 

Community 11,676,296 11,720,199 

Non-Operational 1,575,000 1,575,000 

2,022,129,545 2,010,791,908 

Work in Progress and Preliminary Expenses 92,708,878 98,729,960 

Long Term Debtors 6,282,269 6,238,155 

Current Assets 

Stocks 93,574 109,951 

Trade Debtors & Prepayments 15,905,735 22,014,954 

Bank Investments 1,687,334 1,776,589 

Cash at Bank - - 

Cash in Transit 322,193 266,285 

Urban Account - - 

18,008,836 24,167,779 

Current Liabilities (Amounts falling due within one year) 

Bank Overdraft 1,750,046 3,711,432 

Creditors & Accruals 3,682,521 4,155,998 

Urban Account - - 

Finance Leases - - 

5,432,567 7,867,430 

Net Current Assets / (Liabilities) 12,576,269 16,300,349 

Creditors (Amounts falling due after more than one year) 

Loans Payable 14,997,227 14,573,427 

Finance Leases - - 

Refundable deposits 1,709,277 1,695,749 

Other 776,010 769,859 

17,482,514 17,039,035 

Net Assets 2,116,214,448 2,115,021,338 

Represented by 

Capitalisation Account 2,022,129,545 2,010,791,908 

Income WIP 98,004,687 101,895,435 

Specific Revenue Reserve 1,723,174 1,723,174 

General Revenue Reserve 99,815 72,909 

Other Balances (5,742,772) 537,913 

Total Reserves 2,116,214,448 2,115,021,338 


Finance 

Income & Expenditure Account Statement 

for Year Ending 31st December 2011 

The Income and Expenditure Account Statement brings together all the revenue related income and expenditure. 

It shows the surplus/(deficit) for the year. 

Expenditure by Division 

Gross Income Net Net 

Expenditure 

Expenditure Expenditure 

2011 2011 2011 2010 

€ € € € 

Housing & Building 6,010,206 6,031,535 (21,328) 649,892 

Roads Transportation & Safety 23,066,122 18,291,118 4,775,004 5,511,453 

Water Services 10,709,749 3,973,185 6,736,564 6,419,299 

Development Management 4,614,863 1,135,307 3,479,557 3,309,939 

Environmental Services 6,537,358 1,323,397 5,213,960 3,990,129 

Recreation & Amenity 3,706,694 754,409 2,952,284 3,300,659 

Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare 7,699,067 6,784,032 915,036 946,414 

Miscellaneous Services 5,298,761 1,609,075 3,689,686 3,423,688 

Total Expenditure/Income 67,642,820 39,902,057 

Net cost of Divisions to be funded 

from Rates & Local Government Fund 27,740,762 27,551,472 

Rates 10,527,686 10,251,188 

Local Government Fund - General Purpose Grant 17,257,035 18,345,932 

Pension Related Deduction 1,233,219 1,284,522 

County Charge - - 

Surplus/(Deficit) for Year before Transfers 1 ,277,177 2,330,170 

Transfers from/(to) Reserves (1,250,271) (1,934,756) 

Overall Surplus/(Deficit) for Year 26,906 395,414 

General Reserve @ 1st January 2011 72,909 (322,505) 

General Reserve @ 31st December 2011 99,815 72,909 


Finance 

How the Revenue Budget Was Spent in 2011 

Housing && 

Miscellaneous 

Building 

8% 8% 9% 9% 

Roads, 

Agriculture, 

Transportation 

Education, 

&& Safety 

Health && 

34% 34% 

Welfare 

11% 11% 

Recreation 

&& Amenity 

5% 5% 

Environmental 

Services 

10% 10% 

Spend by Programme 

2011 2011 

€ % 

Housing & Building 6,010,206 9% 

Roads Transportation & Safety 23,066,122 34% 

Water Services 10,709,749 16% 

Development Management 4,614,863 7% 

Environmental Services 6,537,358 10% 

Recreation & Amenity 3,706,694 5% 

Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare 7,699,067 11% 

Miscellaneous 5,298,761 8% 

Total 67,642,820 100% 

Development 

Management 

7% 7% 

Water 

Services 

16% 16% 

Financial 

Expenses 

6% 6% 

Establishment 

Expenses 

1% 1% 

Administration 

Expenses 

3% 3% 

Miscellaneous Expenses 

1% 1% 

Payroll 

40% 

What Money was spent on 

2011 2011 

€ % 

Payroll 27,328,805 40% 

Operational Expenses 33,659,661 49% 

Administration Expenses 1,862,909 3% 

Establishment Expenses 508,085 1% 

Financial Expenses 3,786,228 6% 

Miscellaneous Expenses 497,132 1% 

Total 67,642,820 100% 

Operational 

Expenses 

49% 49% 


Housing 

and Building 

Roscommon County Council carries out a range of functions under this 

programme including: 

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The Housing Construction Programme including the purchase of dwellings. 

Promotion and implementation of social housing options through the various schemes 

available. 

Working closely with the voluntary, private rented and housing construction sector to 

maximise the availability of affordable housing. 

Implementation of the Housing Strategy by working closely with the Planning and 

Development Directorate. 

Promotion of housing policy as a vehicle for social inclusion and the reduction of 

social segregation. 

Implementation of an Integrated Action Plan for Homelessness. 

Review and implementation of The Traveller Accommodation Plan. 

Assessment of Needs for Housing Accommodation 

Under Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, housing authorities are required to carry out 

periodic assessments, at intervals not exceeding three years, of the need for the provision 

of suitable accommodation for persons in need of re-housing. The most recent assessment 

carried out by Roscommon County Council in March 2011 showed a net need of 483 applicants 

on the waiting list. Eligibility for social housing is determined in accordance with the Social 

Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 and allocations are made in accordance with the 

Scheme of Letting Priorities. 

Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) 

Social houses are delivered by a combination of the construction of houses, house purchases 

or turnkey acquisitions depending on available finance under the SHIP. A total of 33 houses 

were completed in 2011. It is also intended to provide housing units through the new long 

term leasing initiative established in 2009 by the Department of the Environment, Community 

and Local Government, ECLG, both in partnership with the voluntary sector and by direct 

agreements with owners. The numbers to be leased will depend on the suitability of available 

property and on the demand for housing in the particular locations of the offered properties. A 

total of 102 houses: 35 new; 2 Long-Term Leasing; 65 casual vacancies were allocated in 2011. 


Housing and Building 

Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) 

RAS, introduced in 2004, involves local authorities progressively assuming responsibility 

for accommodating rent supplement recipients who have a defined long term housing need, 

through direct arrangements between the local authority and the private rented sector. In 

2011 a total of 94 units were transferred under the scheme. Total units in the scheme at the 

end of 2011 are 361. 

Voluntary Housing Schemes 

The voluntary housing sector supplements the Council’s housing construction programme 

by providing units of rented accommodation to persons in need of re-housing. Roscommon 

County Council maintains close contact with the voluntary associations when assessing 

demand in a particular area or when selecting suitable tenants but also plays a supervisory 

role in the design and construction of projects. A total of 22 schemes have been completed 

under this programme providing 150 additional units of rental accommodation. 

Roscommon County 

Council Housing 

Development at 

Manor Valley, 

Monksland, Athlone. 

Housing Strategy - Part V 

In accordance with the provisions of Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, 

as amended, Roscommon County Council adopted The Housing Strategy 2001 – 2006 

(subsequently extended to 2008). The current Housing Strategy 2008-2014 forms an 

element of Roscommon County Development Plan 2008 – 2014. Developers of lands zoned as 

residential or general can now be required to reserve up to 20% of the subject site for the 

provision of social or affordable housing. There are other alternatives such as providing land 

or sites elsewhere, partnering with a voluntary housing association or making a financial 

contribution. Through engagement with developers, a number of agreements have been 

entered into, yielding social and affordable houses in Roscommon, Monksland, Castlerea, 

Boyle and Ballaghaderreen. 



Enhancement of Housing Stock / Energy Upgrades 

Work continues on the upgrading of the Council’s housing stock with works funded from 

Internal Capital Receipts and ECLG allocations. Under the 2011 Energy Efficiency Plan, 

Roscommon County Council was allocated €400,000 for the retrofitting of insulation and 

other energy efficiency measures together with general refurbishment works to vacant Local 

Authority stock. Dependent on the Building Energy Rating, BER, achieved, the Department 

funds on a sliding scale from 90% to 50% of the costs up to a maximum of €15,000 for energy 

works and €20,000 for general works per unit for long term voids (> 6 months vacant) and 

up to a maximum of €15,000 for energy works and €3,000 for general works per unit for 

casual vacancies (< 6 months vacant) with the balance funded from the Revenue Budget or 

Internal Capital Receipts. A total of 39 houses were completed under this Scheme in 2011 and 

provided with BER Certificates. Works included central heating upgrades/controls, provision 

of double-glazed windows and doors and cavity/attic insulation upgrades. Further housing 

stock will be similarly upgraded as funding permits. 

Under the Compliance with New Rented Standards Initiative, Roscommon County Council was 

allocated €122,189 for carrying out specific works to our housing stock. A total of 105 houses 

across all Engineering Areas have works completed under this heading with the focus on fire 

safety and ventilation measures. Further housing stock will be similarly upgraded as funding 

permits in the future. 

Estate Management 

The Housing Liaison Officer is employed to improve tenant/landlord relationships, establish 

best practice in the management and maintenance of housing stock and develop estate 

management initiatives. Under the Section 35 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 

2009, an Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy was adopted by Roscommon County Council on 18th 

October 2010. 

This strategy sets out measures to promote good estate management. 

Playground at 

Carrownabrickna, 

Roscommon Town. 



Housing Loans 

Applicants can be considered for house purchase loans for persons who did not previously 

own a dwelling and for reconstruction loans to modify or extend existing houses. Applicants 

must meet specific income criteria and the Housing (Local Authority Loans) Regulations 

2009, sets out new requirements and process for the approval of loans by a local authority. 

The maximum house purchase loan that can be advanced is €220,000 depending on the 

applicant’s ability to repay and the maximum house improvement loan is €15,000 (unsecured) 

and €38,000 (secured). 

Shared Ownership 

This scheme facilitates access to full home ownership in two or more stages and is designed 

primarily for first time buyers who meet certain income criteria. Suitable applicants must 

acquire a minimum equity of 40% in the dwelling initially and rent the Council’s equity with 

an undertaking to acquire the Council’s equity within 25 years. 21 loans have been advanced 

under this scheme. 

Affordable Housing Scheme and 

Sale of Private Sites 

The Junior Minister for Housing announced a standing down of Affordable Housing 

programmes in June 2011 and has commissioned a comprehensive review of Part V of the 

Planning & Development Act 2000. 

Improvement Works in-lieu of 

Local Authority Housing 

Approved applicants for re-housing can renovate or extend their existing accommodation 

as an alternative to accepting a local authority house provided their existing dwelling is 

considered suitable for improvement. This scheme is funded from the Council’s Internal 

Capital Receipts. 

Mortgage Allowance Scheme 

Tenants or tenant purchasers of Local Authority dwellings who surrender their existing 

accommodation and purchase a property in the private market with a minimum mortgage 

of €38,092 qualify under the scheme. The allowance of €11,428 is offset against mortgage 

repayments on a sliding scale over a 5-year term. 

Tenant Purchase Scheme 

Tenants of non-vested Council houses appointed for at least 12 months are eligible to apply 

to the Council to purchase their existing accommodation. The market value of the property 

is determined by the Council. Tenants are entitled to a discount of 3% off the market value 

of the property for each year of tenancy, subject to a maximum of 10 years in addition to an 

allowance of €3,810 for first-time buyers. Exemptions apply. 

In 2011 the Government introduced the 2011 Fixed Term Tenant Purchase for tenants in local 

authority houses for over 10 years. The 2011 scheme provided for a maximum discount of 

45% on market price, based on 3% discount for each year of tenancy up to 15 years. The 

closing date for applications under this Scheme was 31st December 2011. 



Grant Schemes 

In order to facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people 

and people with a disability, Roscommon County Council provided grant aid during 2011 under 

three Grant Schemes: Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability; Mobility 

Aids Housing Grant Scheme; Housing Aid for Older People Scheme. Payment made in 2011 is 

as follows: 

Grant 

Maximum Grant 

Available 

No of Grants 

Paid in 2011 

Expenditure 

in 2011 

Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for 

People with a Disability 

€30,000 98 €860,927 

Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme €6,000 26 €87,727 

Housing Aid for Older People Scheme €10,500 162 €901,345 

Total expenditure under all grants schemes for 2011 totalled €1,850,000 

Registration of Private Rented Accommodation 

Under the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 local authorities are responsible for 

enforcement of statutory regulations for Private Rented Accommodation. Roscommon 

County Council inspects private rented accommodation on an ongoing basis and follows 

up landlords with unfit accommodation. A total of 317 dwellings were inspected in 2011 and 

follow-up inspections were carried out to enforce the Standards in Private Rented Houses 

Regulations. A total of 451 inspections were carried out in 2011. 

Homelessness – An Integrated Strategy 

The Roscommon Homeless Forum Action Plan 2008 – 2011 was adopted by this Council on 

28th April 2008. It is an integrated strategy to tackle homelessness in county Roscommon. In 

2010 a Joint Regional Homelessness Consultative Forum was set up the membership of which 

includes the local authorities of Galway City and County, Roscommon and Mayo. The Western 

Joint Homelessness Action Plan was adopted by Roscommon County Council in 2010. 

Traveller Accommodation 

The new five-year programme adopted under Section 10 of the Housing (Traveller 

Accommodation) Act, 1998 covers the period 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2013. 

In accordance with Section 17 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, 

Roscommon County Council completed a mid-term review of the Programme. 


Human Resources 

The Human Resources Department is primarily responsible for: 

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Recruitment and deployment of staff 

Staff Training and Development 

Performance Management 

Staff Welfare 

Staff Policies and Procedures 

Equality and Diversity Management 

Industrial Staff Relations 

Superannuation i.e. Retirement Pensions 

Roscommon County Council recognises that staff are the most valuable resource within the organisation and 

play a crucial role in the achievement of its objectives. The local authority aims to enable all of its employees 

to grow to their full potential through continual training and participation in the planning and delivery of high 

quality services. 

Equality and Diversity 

Roscommon County Council is committed to the principles of equality of access, participation and outcome for 

all in relation to service delivery and the Human Resources function. The County Council endeavours to ensure 

that all citizens are treated equally and are not discriminated against on any of the grounds identified in the 

equality legislation. 

Industrial Relations 

The Human Resources department works with Unions and Staff Representatives to achieve good working 

relationships and is committed to the promotion of a good Industrial Relations environment. 

Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 

Roscommon County Council’s first Progress Report, presented in Spring 2011, under the terms of the Public 

Service Agreement 2010 – 2014 (Croke Park Agreement) reported solid and measurable progress on the 

implementation of the Agreement. Total savings of almost €3.25 million was achieved during the period under 

review. In addition to savings, a major objective of the Croke Park Agreement is the maximisation of efficiencies 

and productivity through revised work practices and other initiatives. Roscommon County Council would like to 

express its appreciation to all staff of the Council and staff representatives for their co-operation, flexibility and 

commitment in participating and contributing towards the implementation of the Agreement to date. 



Recruitment Statistics 

The total number of staff employed by Roscommon County Council on the 31st December, 2011 was 544. 

Appointments 2011 

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gg 

gg 

Eithne McCaffrey, Branch Librarian 

Padraic McCormack, Traveller Accommodation Caretaker 

Gerard Kiernan, Retained Fire-fighter 

Retirements 2011 

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gg 

gg 

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gg 

gg 

Tom Fallon, Lorry Driver 

Tom Kilkenny, Clerical Officer 

Pat Fleming, Ganger 

Michael Gaffrey, Waterworks Caretaker V 

Vera Murray, Clerical Officer 

John Cunningham, Director of Services 

Pat Burke, Staff Officer 

Tom Flynn, Clerk of Works 

Margaret Mulligan, Senior Staff Officer 

Teresa Healy, Assistant Staff Officer 

Jimmy Gilleran, Clerical Officer 

Frank Mullen, General Services Supervisor 

John Glynn, Refuse Collector 

Sheila Dalton, Assistant Staff Officer 

Pat Curley, Lorry Driver 

Joseph Lyttle, Foreman 

Cathal McConn, Chief Fire Officer 

Philip Delamere, Arts Officer 

Neil Armstrong, Manager, King House 

Claire Gannon, Clerical Officer 

Death in Service 2011 

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Padraig Mulhern, Semi Skilled Operative 

Tom Bermingham, Ganger 

Roscommon County Council extends its condolence to the families of the deceased. 

Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) 

PMDS is concerned with ensuring that strategic and operational plans are developed throughout every level of 

the organisation. The cornerstone of Roscommon County Council’s PMDS system is its Corporate Plan. The 

Corporate Plan is used as a foundation to generate Team Development Plans within every department which 

in turn leads to the creation of Personal Development Plans for every employee. These plans establish goals, 

targets and timeframes to ensure that every member of staff in the organisation contributes effectively to 

delivering a quality service to the public. 



Staff Training and Development 

A comprehensive training and development programme was delivered to the staff of Roscommon County Council 

during 2011. 1928 training days, involving 239 training events were provided to 508 staff members as follows: 

Table 1: Staff Training Days 2011 

Employment Category No. of Staff Trained Training Days Received 

Senior Management 20 106 

Administrative/Clerical Employees 142 283 

Engineering/Technical Employees 96 407 

General Operatives, Craft Workers and Related Grades 193 619 

Fire Service – Retained Firemen 57 513 

Totals 508 1,928 

Training and Development events covered broad areas such as health and safety, information technology, 

financial management, performance management, equality, professional/technical expertise and machinery/ 

equipment operation. Examples of the training that was provided are as follows: 

Table 2: Training and Development Courses 2011 

Course Title 

Course Duration 

(Days) 

No. of Employees 

Trained 

Abrasive Wheels 2 27 

Agresso Sales Invoicing 0.5 39 

Attendance Management 0.5 325 

Chainsaw Operation 3 14 

Confined Spaces (C3) Training 4 9 

Dignity at Work Refresher Training 0.5 330 

Disability Awareness 0.5 333 

Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence 1 25 

Fire Warden Training 0.25 49 

IOSH Supervising Safety in Construction 3 9 

Location of Underground Services 2 14 

Map Viewer Training 0.33 82 

PMDS Team Development Plan Training 0.33 73 

Safepass 1 54 

Signing, Lighting and Guarding at Roadworks 3 13 

Site Dumper Refresher 1 16 


Information Technology 

The Information Technology Department of Roscommon County Council is 

based in the Council Headquarters, Courthouse, Roscommon. The staffing 

structure is headed up by a Head of Information Systems and includes 

three Project Leaders, three System Developers and two Technical Support 

Officers. 

The IT Department provides technical support for all other Council departments, ensuring that 

the necessary equipment and information is readily available to provide an efficient public 

service. It is responsible for the implementation, management, security, and maintenance 

of all IT systems. This includes the provision of software and hardware technical support 

for over 200 users, database design, web design, GIS services and support, as well as 

maintenance and backup of external systems such as the Register of Electors. 

Wide Area Network 

Responsibility for managing our network also includes maintaining a wide area network, which 

connects all off-site offices back to headquarters using DSL lines and wireless technology. 

The Area offices and Libraries in Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea and Strokestown are 

all connected using DSL MPLS 8/1 mbits/s links provided by Interfusion. The Athlone area 

office is connected to HQ using DSL MPLS 4/1 mbits/s link also provided by Interfusion. 

The Planning Department and the NRA Offices on Racecourse Road are connected using 

wireless links provided by Brisknet. The Water Services Department, Motor Tax, Rates and 

Roscommon Area office connect to our Network using Fibre Optic Links. 

Roscommon County Council uses Roscommon Metropolitan Area Network to provide 

100mb links to the following locations from our headquarters: County Library Headquarters, 

Housing, Environment, Community and Enterprise, Arts Office, and Fire Station. Connection 

to Government Networks VPN services is via a 10MB link from Eircom. For redundancy 

purposes, another 10MB link has been installed, this is supplied by Strencom. A Quintium 

call filtering device has been installed on this line, which diverts all outgoing mobile calls 

to Vodafone’s interconnect on the Government VPN for cheaper calls. There are plans to 

upgrade our primary link to Government Networks in 2012. 


Information Technology 

Roscommon County Council Web Site 

Roscommon County Council’s web site at www.roscommoncoco.ie is maintained by the 

Council’s I.T. Department. The web site serves as a primary resource for communicating 

information about the Council to the public. The site is updated frequently with information 

received from the various departments of the Council. The entire website has been changed 

and a number of enhancements were brought to the site including: 

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Customers can pay council rates using our new Online Payment System. 

Upgrade of the Virtual Roscommon, interactive map based information system. 

Integration of Google Maps, open source technology, to provide interactive map based 

content. 

Round the clock updates during extreme weather. 

The I.T. Department also manages both www.kinghouse.ie and www.roscommonroots.ie 

websites. 

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 

In addition to ongoing GIS related management, training and support there were a number of 

new developments in the area of GIS in 2011. 

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Expansion of Virtual Roscommon to include tourism information sources. 

Continued expansion of the number of datasets and associated functionality available 

in the corporate Map Data Viewer. 

Directing the Council in meeting its requirements under the Inspire directive through 

making Council datasets, services, and associated metadata available in compliance 

with Inspire specifications. 

The following projects were initiated this year: 

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Implementation of the Mapalerter email and SMS location based alert service for 

members of the general public. 

Development and implementation of a corporate Intranet based Land Agreement 

Management 

System – to replace existing manual methods for recording and storing information on 

land agreements. 

Development of an application to create and make available Spatial Planning Reports 

through the Council Intranet. 

Moving both Virtual Roscommon and Map Data Viewer applications to an open source 

architecture. 

GIS Officer Barry Doyle at the 

launch of Virtual Roscommon 


Libraries, Arts, 

Culture and Heritage 

Library Services 

Roscommon County Council Library Services provides for the cultural, 

education, recreation, information and learning needs of people of all ages 

throughout the county and strives to provide and develop a comprehensive, 

quality, modern and accessible service to people of all ages in the County. 

The Library Services is an important supporting strategy under the economic, cultural and 

social development of the county and in 2011 was aligned as Libraries, Arts, Culture and 

Heritage under directorate changes. 

Service Provision 

The service is operated through six infrastructure branch locations at Roscommon, Castlerea, 

Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Elphin and Strokestown and the Mobile Library Service. The Library 

Service also continues to deliver and develop a substantial Archives and Local Studies 

reference and research facilities at the County Library. Full time libraries were open on 

average 31.3 hours per week with part-time branches open 21.93 hours per week. 

During 2011, the Library Service prepared, researched, consulted, presented and adopted a 

new period Library Development Plan 2011 – 2014. All of the strategies, objectives and actions 

are designed and targeted to facilitate and provide greater opportunities and flexibility for 

public engagement with the service in a changing environment. 

Roscommon County Library Refurbishment Project 

In 2011 as part of the Libraries Capital Programme Roscommon County Council Library 

Services undertook a refurbishment of the County Library Building, Abbey Street, 

Roscommon. The project cost of over €400,000 was supported by grant aid of €260,000 

from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and funding of 

€175,000 from Roscommon County Council. 

Collection Development 

The Library Service continued during 2011 to satisfy user requests for a range and variety 

of stock material on an extensive range of subjects for all service points. Collections and 

circulation of stock is supported by the national borrow books system. Further grant aid in 

the amount of €32,514 was provided from the Department to support the bookfund. 


Libraries, Arts, Culture and Heritage 

Information Communication Technologies 

Considerable ICT infrastructure developments were undertaken as part of the County Library 

refurbishment, to facilitate the introduction of stock management, security and self service 

options, to provide greater access to online resource technologies and to accommodate 

future e-learning facilities, which included further upgrading of the Library Management 

System, implementation of RFID stock management, introduction of WiFi access, the PC 

Reserve, managing system for public PCs and security controls. The online Newspaper 

Digitization Project for the Roscommon Herald and Roscommon Champion was completed and 

launched in 2011. 

Local Authority Records and Archives 

The local authority carries a statutory responsibility and a commitment for the management, 

custody, care, preservation and delivery of all aspects of the archives and local records 

and access by the public. Further development work was conducted in 2011 in relation to 

refurbished storage, introduction of an appointment only system for access, preservation, 

conservation, microfilming, oral history and appropriate listing of items in collection. 

Children’s and Schools Library Service 

The Library Service continues the provision of support to the 96 primary schools in the 

county in 2011 a centralised support from the County Library for stock requests and a further 

range of supports in terms of visits, author visits, reading promotions, summer activities, 

workshops and participation in national events were organised during the year. 



Promotions and Publicity 

2011 saw the continued delivery a very comprehensive calendar of events within the Library 

Services. These events include a range of both internal organized activities and promotions; 

inter-departmental local authority collaborations and external agency promotions. Some 

of the highlights included World Book Day, Roscommon Drama Festival, Siarscéal Festival, 

Roscommon Life launch, King House Genealogy Seminar, French Delegation/Nueil Sur Layon 

visit, Percy French Summer School, Children’s Summer Activities and Nationwide filming 

event during Heritage Week. 

Arts Office 

The Arts Office continues to play a pivotal role in the 

county by implementing its varied programme and through 

ongoing assistance to a variety of art organisations and 

other community-led initiatives. 

A number of significant programmes continued to be successful during 

2011. These included TRADE, an international visual arts development 

partnership with Leitrim County Council; the Art@work Artist’s Residency 

Programme and the further development of the Roscommon County 

Youth Theatre and Roscommon County Youth Orchestra. 

Roscommon’s participation in Culture Night saw 

traditional music and dancing taking place in the 

Douglas Hyde Centre in Portahard, Frenchpark. 

Revelry at Rockingham was the title of a lecture 

which took place in King House, Boyle. There 

was music and storytelling in the Roscommon 

Arts Centre, a Knit n Wine night in JJ Harlow’s 

which was followed by Brazilian drumming. 

There were trad sessions in Keadue and many 

more events. 

The 2011 Douglas Hyde Conference took place 

in the BMW, Regional Assembly Conference 

Room, Ballaghaderreen for a one-day event. 

This completed the third year of the Culture and 

the Economy cycle associated with this annual 

conference. 

The Castlerea Public Art Project was completed in 2011. The publication entitled Meanwhile 

is both a response to and a reflection of a moment in social history of Ireland – one that is 

particular to the town of Castlerea and indicative of broader economic, social and cultural 

dynamics. The Artists Bursary and Tyrone Guthrie Bursary programme continued in 2011 with 

a number of artists receiving bursary awards under both programmes. 

Bad Faith, featuring 

Roscommon-native 

and actor Ben 

Mulhern. Written by 

O.J. Ryan. Performed 

at Roscommon Arts 

Centre, Feb 2011 



Roscommon Arts Centre 

Roscommon Arts Centre played host to an ambitious programme and despite the current 

economic climate, it programmed almost 140 events in the auditorium, workshop and gallery 

spaces and retained attendances of an average 60% at ticketed events. 

2011 marked the Arts Centre’s 10th anniversary and to celebrate, the Arts Centre welcomed 

the world renowned Druid Theatre Company and the Abbey Theatre to Roscommon for their 

debut performances. In October, the first ever Theatre Company in Residence was staged - 

Monkeyshine Theatre Company, who worked with students in Corrigeenroe National School 

on the production of a new piece of theatre entitled Losh, before embarking on a tour of other 

venues nationwide. 

The Arts Centre also worked with the renowned aerial dance company Fidget Feet and 

students of the Presentation College on a collaborative dance performance project entitled 

Hang On. 

The Arts Centre co-produced its fifth professional theatre production The Seafarer with 

colleagues in Nomad Theatre Network and for the fourth year, the production has been 

nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award. The Roscommon Drama Festival ensured that 

once again Roscommon Arts Centre was recognised as a centre for excellence for the 

presentation of amateur drama in 2011 and they continued to promote Roscommon as a 

vibrant home for amateur drama companies on the national stage, with over 1,500 people 

attending the festival this year. 

Swimming with My Mother, CoisCéim 

Dance Theatre, featuring dancer 

David Bolger and his mother Madge. 

Performed at Roscommon Arst Centre, 

May 2011 as part of the Bealtaine Festival 

2011, celebrating creativity in older age. 



Orla Whelan, seeing in black, 2010, oil on 

canvas, one of the exhibitions held in the 

Gallery throughout 2011. Other artists 

whose works featured in exhibitions 

at Roscommon Arts Centre included 

Peter Burns, Louis le Brocquy, Gabhann 

Dunne, Anne Hendrick, James Merrigan, 

Mary Noonan, Magnhild Opdol, Bennie 

Reilly and summer exhibitions by local 

Roscommon-based artists, 

Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre 

The burial place of Dr. Douglas Hyde, first President of Ireland, continues to be an important 

heritage landmark in county Roscommon and continues to attract visitors including those 

from overseas on a year-round basis. Roscommon County Council undertook further works 

at the Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre in Portahard during 2011. Trees were replaced and 

additional trees of Celtic significance were planted. A hedge was planted around the Douglas 

Hyde graveyard and garden furniture was installed in the picnic area. 

King House 

King House continued to welcome hundreds of tourists and visitors in 2011. Once more, the 

property hosted a variety of events including the internationally acclaimed Boyle Arts Festival, 

the Connaught Rangers commemorations and the ever popular Winter Craft Fair. King House 

was also a magnificent backdrop for many public and private events, civil ceremonies, family 

gatherings, seminars and conferences during the year. 

An tOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge 

The Irish Office provides support for Irish language activities throughout the county and 

promotes the use of Irish within the County Council. Roscommon County Council is regularly 

improving the availability of services through Irish. 

Tugann Oifig na Gaeilge tacaíocht d’imeachtaí i nGaeilge ar fud an chontae agus don 

Comhairle Contae. Tá Comhairle Contae Roscomáin go rialta ag feabhsú na seirbhísí atá ar 

fáil tríd gaeilge. 

Heritage Office 

A number of actions as part of the County Roscommon Heritage Plan were undertaken by 

the Heritage Office in 2011 which included community projects by Heritage Council for 

Rathcroghan Living History Club, Tulsk Medieval Midsummer Festival and Mote Park Habitat 

Management, new Heritage Posters, Heritage Schools Project, Folklore and Oral History Project 

and over 50 events arrange of events for National Heritage Week. 


Roads, Transportation and Safety 

Roscommon County Council’s corporate objective as set out in the Corporate Plan 2009 – 

2014 is to “Ensure the development of an adequate transport network”. The implementation 

of this objective continued in 2011 with further investment in the road network. 

Roads Funding 

A breakdown of the road grant received for 2011 is set out in Table 1 below: 

Table 1: Road Grant Allocations 2011 

National Roads €11,212,616 

Non-National Roads €14,915,820 

Total Grants €26,128,436 

In addition, a figure of €1,798,950 was provided from the Council’s revenue budget for local road maintenance 

and €519,053 from capital resources for the provision of road improvement projects not funded by grants. 

Road Classification 

The public roads network for the county is classified as follows (Table 2): 

Table 2: County Roscommon Public Roads Network 

Type Description Length 

Motorway M6 20Km (12.5 miles) 

National Primary Routes N4, N5 & N6 85 Km (53 miles) 

National Secondary Routes N60, N61, N63 & N83 147 Km (92 miles) 

Regional Routes(Non-National) R-various numbers 373 Km (234 miles) 

Local Routes (Non-National) L-various numbers 3362km (2101 miles) 

N5 Ballaghaderreen By-Pass 

The N5 Ballaghaderreen By-Pass will extend for a distance of approximately 13.6 kilometers from the Mayo county 

boundary, west of Ballaghaderreen to Rathkeery Townland, east of Ballaghaderreen. Roscommon’s National 

Road Design Office is responsible for the management of the scheme in consultation with the National Roads 

Authority. The land acquisition process progressed at pace during 2011. A series of advance works contracts 

including major utilities diversions and archaeological testing and resolution contracts were carried out during 

the year. The undertaking of these contracts eliminates some foreseeable risks for the major construction 

contract. The procurement of the main construction contract commenced in late 2011 and the awarding of the 

Works Contract is anticipated in late 2012. 



Other National Road Projects 

Planning and design of the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Scheme continued throughout 

2011. Upon completion, the project will replace or improve approximately 19 kilometers 

of existing National Primary Road. The project includes the provision of an N4 bypass of 

Cortober/Carrick-on-Shannon and the construction of a new bridge over the River Shannon. 

Leitrim County Council is the “Lead Authority” under the terms of the Section 85 Agreement. 

During 2011, the realignment of approximately 2 kilometers of the N60 National Secondary 

route at Oran was identified as part of the NRA Safety and Minor Works Programme. The 

initial planning stages on the project commenced including the undertaking of extensive 

archaeological testing and landowner consultation. 

Non-National Roads Network 

There are 21 regional roads in Roscommon connecting larger centres of population not connected 

by national routes. Local Roads account for the balance of the network (Table 2 above). 

Specific Improvement Grant Scheme 

Under this scheme, an allocation of €1,200,000 was received for three specific projects: 

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R362 – Monksland €550,000 

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R368 – Killukin €400,000 

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R371 – Ballyfeeney €250,000 

Regional and Local Roads Restoration Programme 

This programme applies exclusively to the restoration of regional and local road pavements. 

Local Improvement Schemes 

Under this scheme, a Local Authority can construct or improve non-public roads for the 

benefit of its users. A total of 13 schemes were completed during the year with grant aid 

totalling €95,000 received from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. 



Public Lighting 

A new public lighting maintenance contract for the Connaught region to include the 

administrative areas of all five counties was awarded to Electric Skyline Ltd. during 

the year and the new contractor was appointed with effect from 1st December 2011. 

Public lighting faults can now be logged online by the public at www.electricskyline.ie or 

Lo-Call 1890328587 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Night patrols are carried out by the 

Company on an ongoing basis throughout the county. 

Schemes funded from Roscommon County Council’s 

Development Contribution Scheme/Smarter Travel 

New Tuam Road, Monksland, Athlone 

Improvement works continued on a 1.8 kilometer section of the 

New Tuam Road and a 0.2 kilometer section of the Old Tuam Road 

in Monksland. The completed works include the construction of 

a new roundabout at the intersection of the Old Tuam Road and 

the New Tuam Road, provision of public lighting, surface water 

drainage, undergrounding of services, a combined footway/ 

cycleway, a pedestrian footway, road resurfacing, pedestrian 

crossings, bus bay and traffic calming measures. 

Works funded under the Smarter Travel Initiative, 2011 included the provision of two no. 

controlled pedestrian crossings within the 50 Kph speed limit on Regional Road R362 known 

as the New Tuam Road in Monksland. The works supplement other improvement works 

carried out by the Council. The R362 is a significant regional road linking Athlone to Tuam 

and the West. 

Pedestrian Crossing 

and other roadworks 

complete at Tuam 

Road, Monksland 

Circular Road/Abbeytown, 


This scheme involves the provision of a new pedestrian crossing on 

the N63 National Secondary route outside the Abbey Boys National 

School on Circular Road. The works also include the provision 

of a traffic-calming centre island and railings to encourage safe 

road crossing for school goers. Roscommon County Council also 

installed a new pedestrian crossing with railings in Abbeytown 

to facilitate students of the local secondary school, users of the 

library and the wider public. 

Pedestrian Crossing at Library/Roscommon 

CBS in Abbeytown, Roscommon Town. 

Abbeytown Road, Boyle 

This project included the provision of 1.63 kilometers of footpaths 

and two no. pedestrian crossings on Abbeytown Road in Boyle. 

The works provide a new link between the Boyle Town centre and 

the widely renowned tourist attraction of Lough Key Forest Park. 

Pedestrian crossings were provided at appropriate locations 

including the entrances to existing schools. 

Footpaths completed at Abbeytown Road, 

Boyle on the approach to Rockingham 



Newly constructed 

bridge linking Cortober 

and Carrick-on- 

Shannon 

Cortober, Carrick-on- 

Shannon 

This scheme provides for the provision of 185 metres 

of footpaths on the westbound side of of the newly 

constructed bridge linking Cortober and Carrick-on- 

Shannon and the junction between the N4 Sligo Road 

and Regional Road R368. The works also involve the 

provision of two no. controlled pedestrian crossings. 

The conversion of Liberty Hill to a one way traffic 

system was also incorporated into the scheme. 

Works completed at Cortober including 

footpaths and pedestrian crossing 

Road Safety Programme 

Roscommon County Council continued to promote various road safety initiatives in 2011. The 

Cycle Training Initiative was subsidised at primary schools throughout the county. Assistance 

was also given towards the Drive Safe for Life Programme which targets transition year 

students in secondary schools. The course educates students on road safety and promotes 

good practices for young drivers of the future. The Council funded prizes for the winning 

entries in the Road Safety Poster Competition organised by the Gardaí and a total of 24 primary 

schools and 416 children participated in the competition. 

The Road Safety Together Committee met during the year and a range of road safety issues 

were considered by the members. The County Roscommon Road Safety Plan 2010 – 2013 was 

promoted and circulated to interested parties during the year. 

Junior School Wardens were trained at the following primary schools: 



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Convent of Mercy, Boyle 

St. Patrick’s, Strokestown 

St. Paul’s, Castlerea 

Abbeycarton, Elphin 

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes, Loughglynn 

All five schools participated in the 

Regional Competition which was held 

in Newtownforbes National School, 

Longford in June, 2011. Schools from 

Roscommon, Longford and Westmeath 

participated and the overall winners 

were the host team from Newtownforbes 

National School, Longford. The standard 

was particularly high in 2011 and the 

Judging Committee had great difficulty 

in selecting the overall winners of the 

competition. 

Junior School Warden Competition June 2011 - Pupils from St. Paul’s National School, 

Castlerea attending the Regional Competition in Newtownforbes, Co. Longford. 

Drainage Works 2011 

The Council carried out drainage works to sections of the River Hind at Ballymurray, Curry 

and Bogganfin during the year including channel regarding, cleaning and reconstruction 

where necessary. Routine maintenance work also took place on parts of the River Jiggy near 

Roscommon Town. The Athlone Area carried out drainage works at Lisduff, Cullawinnia, 

Tibarney and Cloghnashade during the year. 

Roscommon Cemetery 

Burial Grounds 

The Council provided €50,000 in grant assistance to 74 voluntary 

groups under the Cemetery Improvement and Maintenance Scheme in 

2011 to upgrade and maintain cemeteries. 

Ardcarne Cemetery 



Water Safety Programme 

The Water Safety Programme continued over the summer season in 2011. Lifeguards were 

employed at Castlerea Swimming Pool. Swimming instruction courses for children were 

provided at Roscommon Leisure Centre and Castlerea Swimming Pool during the summer 

months. 

Outdoor Fitness Equipment 

Roscommon County Council installed a range of outdoor fitness equipment in both the 

Pleasure Grounds, Boyle and Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon in November/December 2011. 

The equipment is designed to cater for the needs of adults, including older persons in order to 

promote health and improve fitness 

levels for the benefit of all users. 

There are seven different pieces of 

exercise equipment provided at both 

locations. The project was jointly 

funded by the local authority and the 

Department of Transport, Tourism 

and Sport with assistance provided 

through the National Lottery. The 

equipment is fully operational during 

the opening hours of both facilities. 

Outdoor Fitness Equipment at Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon 

Roscommon Castle, Loughnaneane Park 


Water Services 

The function of the Water Services Authority is to provide an adequate system of water 

and sewerage treatment for domestic, industrial, agricultural and other uses within the 

county. Extensive capital investment to construct new and upgraded infrastructure under 

the Investment Programme is ongoing. 

The following is a summary of the progress on water and sewerage projects in the county: 

Major Water and Wastewater Capital Projects 

Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme Project: The project involves the provision of new and upgraded sewerage 

facilities in thirteen villages across the county. Substantial work has been completed to date, including the 

installation of waste water treatment plants at Lisacul, Tulsk, and Cootehall and the provision of a new collection 

system at Creagh. Two contracts for the provision of new collection systems at Arigna and rehabilitation and 

extension of networks in the remaining villages of Ballinlough, Ballyleague/Lanesboro, Elphin, Frenchpark, 

Knockcroghery, Loughglynn and Strokestown were completed in 2010. The collection system at Hodson Bay 

will be completed in early 2012. EPS Ltd. were appointed to carry out the Design, Build & Operate contract for 

the treatment plants. €2.9m was expended on the project in 2011 and €20.9m to date. 

Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, South Roscommon and Roscommon Central Regional Water Supply Schemes: This 

project involves upgrading of the network including the provision of new rising mains and reservoirs on the 

Arigna and Boyle/ Ardcarne Regional schemes and the construction of water treatment plants for each of 

the four schemes. Work has been completed on the planning phases for all schemes. Contract Documents for 

pipeline and reservoir contracts for the Arigna and Boyle/Ardcarne Schemes were approved and will move 

to tender and construction in 2012. The Design, Build & Operate Contract for the construction of the water 

treatment plants is awaiting approval. The source at Lisbrock has now been added to the investment programme. 

The approved cost of the scheme is €25 million. 



North East Regional Water Supply Scheme: The detailed planning in relation to the provision of a new water 

treatment plant for the area has been completed. Approval to go to tender for both the treatment plant and rising 

main was received in 2011. The tender for the pipeline element will proceed in February 2012 and the treatment 

works will follow, once statutory licences have been agreed. The scheme has an estimated cost of €16 million. 

West Roscommon Regional Water Supply Scheme: The North Roscommon Regional scheme, Castlerea Urban 

and Rural schemes and the Ballinlough/Loughglynn scheme will be amalgamated to form the West Roscommon 

Regional Water Supply Scheme. The Preliminary Report and recommendations with regard to the upgrading 

of the scheme have been submitted to the Department. A Supplementary Report, based on a rationalisation 

of the scheme, was completed in 2011 and also submitted and approval is awaited. Advance works, including 

the provision of a cryptosporidium barrier and a new pipe network at Castlerea, are progressing and will be 

completed in 2012. 

Water Conservation: Phase Three of the Water Conservation Programme commenced in late 2010. This phase 

involves a substantial mains rehabilitation programme with an approved cost of €10.5 million and is to be 

completed over a three year period. A contract for the rehabilitation of 30km was begun in 2011 and will be 

completed in 2012. A second scheme of 45km was tendered in 2011 and will be awarded in early 2012. The 

Council carried out an additional 20km of rehabilitation works by direct labour. A 25% overall reduction in water 

demand has been achieved at the end of 2011 under the programme. Two full time staff are employed in leak 

detection, monitoring and recording of data. Repair of leaks is ongoing. 

Non-Domestic Water Metering: Local Authorities are required to meter all non-domestic water connections as 

part of the Government’s National Water Pricing Framework. Veolia Water Ireland Ltd. continue to implement this 

project on behalf of the Council. Water and waste water charges are now charged on a metered basis and over 

8,500 meters have been installed at the end of 2011. A standing charge of €25 per quarter applied in 2011, with 

a charge of €1.22 and €1.50 per cubic metre for water and waste water respectively. 

Rural Water Programme 

Design Build Operate Project for Water Treatment: Twenty private group schemes were amalgamated into 

three new co-operative schemes and were included with two public schemes, Knockcroghery and Lecarrow, in 

a Design, Build & Operate project. Six water treatment plants were completed and commissioned in 2011. They 

are operated by Glan Agua Ltd. on behalf of the co-operatives and the Council. Total expenditure on the project 

in 2011 was €1.9m. 

Small Schemes Programme: The Council received an allocation of €426,000 from the Department of Environment, 

Community and Local Government to upgrade public water and sewerage schemes in 2011, representing a 

contribution of 75% of the cost. A total of €663,000 was expended on completing all outstanding schemes and 

commencing works on the 2011 programme.. 

Take-in-Charge and Connection to the Public Main: €63,120 was claimed for the connection of three Group 

Schemes – Greywood, Derrinacartha and Four Roads – to the public supply in 2011. 

Water and Sewer Connections: During 2011, 76 connection licences were issued for 83 connections to the public 

water mains, sewerage, and group water schemes. 49 road opening licences were issued. 

Individual Water Supply Grants: Houses that are neither connected to the public mains nor to a private water 

scheme may be eligible for a grant to upgrade their supply if their house is more than seven years old. The grant 

amounts to 75% of the cost, subject to a maximum payment of €2,031. A total of €15,700 was paid in grants in 

2011 to 8 applicants. 

Subsidy towards the Operational Cost of Group Water Supply Schemes: Subsidies are payable to schemes to 

help offset costs incurred in the day-to-day provision of a water supply to domestic houses. A total of €426,200 

was paid to 11 schemes in respect of claims made during 2011. The subsidy is recouped from the Department. 


Councillors’ Conferences 



Conferences/Seminars attended in Ireland by Roscommon County Council in 2011 

Date Conference/Seminar etc. Organiser Venue 

21/1/2011 Volcanic Ash, Major Flooding, Freezing 

Spells : Crisis Impacts on Ireland 

26/1/2011 Re-Finding Success in Europe : The 

Challenge for Irish Institutions and 

Policy 

Kadenza 

Consultancies 

National Econmic 

and Social Council 

Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, 

Co. Donegal 

Number of 

Councillors 

attended 

1 

Royal College of Physicians, Dublin 7 

28/1/2011 Economic Seminar for Councillors TJK Conferences Thomond Park, Limerick 2 

4/2/2011 A Practical Guide to Media Skills for 


Celtic Conferences 

The Celtic Ross Hotel, 

Rosscarberry, Co. Cork 

18/2/2011 Strategic Planning for Councillors TGR Seminars Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, 

Co. Mayo 

18/2/2011 Charities Act 2009 Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Manor West Spa and Leisure Club, 

Killarney Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry 

4/3/2011 County Mayors Conference Cllr.Jim Daly, Cork Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, 

Clonakilty, Co. Cork. 

4/3/2011 Employment Law and Insurance Issues Esperanza 

Enterprises 

11/3/2011 Local Government Planning Service Esperanza 

Enterprises 

18/3/2011 Equal Status Legislation and its 

Effect on Service Provision in Local 

Authorities 

18/3/2011 Effective Time and Priority 

Management 

24/3/2011 Rebuilding Confidence in Urban and 

Rural Communities 

25/3/2011 Changing Trends in Drug and Alchohol 

Abuse 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

TGR Seminars 

Assoc of County 

and City Councils 

Kadenza 

Consultancies 

26/3/2011 The 1916 Rebellion Conference Wexford 1916 Trust 

Ltd 

1/4/2011 NFLA All Ireland Forum Spring 

Seminar 

Newry and Mourne 

District Council 

7/4/2011 Annual Kerry Environment Conference Rattoo Heritage 

Society 

29/4/2011 Economic Revival : A Role for Local 

Government 

6/5/2011 Programme for Government and Local 

Government 

20/5/2011 National Public Policy Making and the 

Councillor 

26/5/2011 North South Institutions and Cross 

Border Relations 

27/5/2011 Exploring Local Government Reform : 

Lessons to be learned from the Private 

Sector 

Louth County 

Council (LAMA) 

Kadenza 

Consultancies 

Superior Training 

Institute for British 

Irish Studies 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

2/6/2011 Tipperary Peace Convention International Peace 

Convention 

3/6/2011 Renewable Energy : Local Government 

can Make a Difference 

10/6/2011 Elected Members Responsibilities 

Indemnity from Liability of Decisions of 

the Body Corporate 

Ashford Building 

Services 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Kingsvalley Hotel, Merlin Park, 

Dublin Road, Galway 


Co. Donegal 

Westport Plaza Hotel, Westport, 

Co. Mayo 

Carrickale Hotel, Carrickarnon, 

Dundalk 

Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, 

Co. Offaly 


Co. Donegal 

Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 

Co. Wexford 

Newry and Mourne Council Office, 

O'Hagan House, Newry, Co. Down 

Meadowland Hotel, Oakpark, 

Tralee, Co. Kerry 

Fairways Hotel, Dundalk 4 

City North Hotel, Gormanstown, 

Co. Meath 

Carlton Millrace Hotel, Bunclody, 

Co. Wexford 

UCD 2 

The Kingsvalley Hotel, Dublin Road, 

Galway 

Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf Resort, 

Limerick Junction, Tipperary 

Mill park Hotel, The Mullans, 

Donegal Town 


Galway 

1 

1 

1 

2 

3 

3 

3 

1 

5 

6 

1 

4 

8 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 





17/6/2011 European Union Funding and Functions Celtic Conferences Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, 

West Cork 

24/6/2011 Sport in Irish History and Society Byrne Perry 

Summer School 

24/7/2011 The First Hundred Days - The Next 

Five Years 

24/7/2011 A Briefing for Local Authority 

Members, Current Issues in Education 

29/4/2011 Local Government Health and Safety 

Risk Assessment and Insurance 

MacGill Summer 

School 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Number of 


attended 

CBS School, Gorey, Co. Wexford 4 

Glenties, Co. Donegal 10 


Galway 



12/8/2011 Local Government Planning Service Superior Training West Cork Hotel, Skibberreen, 

Co. Cork 

12/8/2011 Legislation for the Reform of Local 

Government 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 


Co. Mayo 

17/8/2011 Merriman Summer School Cumman Merriman Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare 7 

19/8/2011 Local Government Promoting 

Renewable Energy 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

8/9/2011 AMAI 98th Annual Conference Association 

of Municipal 

Authorities of 

Ireland 



Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath 3 

09/09/2011 Domestic Water Meters for Ireland TGR Seminars Carrickale Hotel, Carrickarnon, 

Dundalk 

30/9/2011 LAMA - The Role of Tourism in 

Economic Recovery 

30/9/2011 European Waste Water Laws - Irish 

Government Decision to Licence 

Septic Tanks 

30/9/2011 La Touche Seminar : Local Democracy 

- A Vision 

7/10/2011 Local Government and Planning 

Seminar 

14/10/2011 Victims of Crime : The Cost to the 

Community 

14/10/2011 Social Housing Assessment 

Regulations 2011 

21/23 Oct The Role of the Regional Authority in 

the Operation and Policy Making in 

Local Government 

21/10/2011 Optimising Taxation Allowances and 

Benefits and Revenue on-line Service 

Workshop 

28/10/2011 The Role of the Councillor in Education 

and the Community 

Dungarvan Town 

Council 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Greystones Town 


Clonea Strand Hotel, Dungarvan 5 

Mill Park Hotel, The Mullans, 

Donegal Town, 

Charlesland Golf and Country Club, 

Greystones, Co. Wicklow 

TJK Conferences Patrick Punch Hotel, Limerick 2 

Federation for 

Victim Assistance 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 


Kadenza 

Consultancies 

28/10/2011 11th Shackleton Autumn School Athy Heritage 

Centre Museum 

4/11/2011 Local Government Powers to Create/ 

Abolish Rights of Way 

11/11/2011 Ireland's Response to New Nuclear 

Build in the UK 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Nuclear Free Local 

Authorities - All 

Ireland Forum 



Carlton Atlantic Coast Hotel, 

Westport, Co. Mayo 


Galway 

Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, 

West Cork 

City North Hotel, Gormanstown, 

Co. Meath 

Athy Heritage Centre 4 


Galway 

Wexford County Council Offices, 

Carricklawn, Wexford 

11/11/2011 Strategic Planning for 2012 TGR Seminars Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise, Abbeyleix 

Road, Portlaoise 

8 

1 

1 

1 

2 

4 

2 

6 

2 

3 

3 

5 

4 

2 

2 

1 

1 





11/11/2011 Waste Water Discharge Control, 

Design, Operation and Maintenance 

Esperanza 

Enterprises 

18/11/2011 Local Authority Budgets 2012 Kadenza 

Consultancies 

Carlton Hotel, Tralee, Dan Spring 

Road, Tralee 


Co. Donegal 

18/11/2011 The Local Government Budget Superior Training The Carlton Millrace Hotel, 

Bunclody, Co Wexford 

18/11/2011 Modern Alternatives to the Extinction 

of Fossil Fuels 

18/11/2011 Local Authority's Role in Preventing 

Water Pollution 


Esperanza 

Enterprises 

24/11/2011 9th Irish Annual Radon Forum Radiological 

Protection Institute 

of Ireland 

25/11/2011 Tourism - The Potential for Economic 

Growth 

Clare Tourist 


25/11/2011 Renewable Energy - 20 20 20 Esperanza 

Enterprises 

2/12/2011 Promoting Voluteerism Esperanza 

Enterprises 

6/12/2011 Public Sector Expenditure Esperanza 

Enterprises 

Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, 

West Cork 

Mill park Hotel, The Mullans, 

Donegal Town 

Chartered Accountants House, 

Pearse Street, Dublin 2 

Number of 


attended 

Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare 4 

The Lucan Spa Hotel, Lucan, 

Co. Dublin 


Co. Mayo 



9/12/2011 Being Positie in a Negative Climate TGR Seminars Bunratty Castle Hotel and Luxury 

Spa, Bunratty 

9/12/2011 Proposed Reform of the Common 

Agricultural Policy 

Ashford Building 

Services 

Carlton Hotel, Tralee, Dan Spring 

Road, Tralee 

9/12/2011 Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011 Superior Training The Carlton Millrace Hotel, 

Bunclody, Co Wexford 

16/12/2011 Local Government Charges Act 2009 Esperanza 

Enterprises 



1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

3 

1 

3 

4 

1 

2 

5 

2 

Details of Meetings held 2011 

County Council Meetings 15 

SPC Meetings 16 

Payments 2011 

Annual Expenses Allowance €132,978.78 

Mobile Telephone Expenses Allowance €0.00 

Non-Members of Committees (Travel and Subsistence) €2,318.64 

Conferences, Seminars, Training in Ireland €101,114.94 

Conferences, Seminars, Training Outside Ireland €1,005.40 

Chairs of SPC Committees €24,000.00 

Representational Payment €431,046.88 

Cathaoirleach Allowance €30,954.00 

Leas Cathaoirleach Allowance €6,769.00 

Chair of County Development Board €6,000.00 


Councillors’ Committees 



List of External Bodies on which Roscommon County Council is formally represented by Councillors in 2011 

Committee Title 

Association of County and City 

Councils 

Purpose of the Committee 

The Association organises a Programme of 

meetings which help members give voice to 

current issues in council life. 

Elected Members representing 


Councillors Crosby Fitzmaurice 

and Moore. 

Border, Midland and Western 

Regional Assembly 

Managing and monitoring the EU- funded 

operational programmes in the BMW Region. 

Councillors Connaughton 

and Crosby. 

County Roscommon Vocational 

Education Committee 

This committee is responsible for the 

governance of all educational and administrative 

services provided by Roscommon VEC. 

Councillors Beirne, Byrne, 

Callaghan, Creaton, Crosby, 

Keenan, Kenny, Leyden and 

Mulligan. 

Irish Public Bodies Mutual 

Insurances Ltd. 

Committee required as IPB is a mutual 

company. 

Councillor Keogh. 

Local Authority Members 

Association (LAMA) 

Represents members of the County Councils at 

county, city and borough level. An association 

for the betterment of conditions, education and 

training for members. 

Councillor Tom Crosby. 

Local Traveller Accommodation 

Consultative Committee (LTACC) 

To advise on the provision and management of 

Traveller accommodation. 

Councillors Connolly, Crosby 

and Cummins. 

Lough O Flynn Steering Group 

To develop an amenity area at Lake O Flynn 

consisting of a walk, cycle and picnic area. 

Councillors Cogan, Fitzmaurice 

and McGreal. 

Regional Health Forum West 

To ensure that local elected representatives 

would continue to have an opportunity to 

exercise oversight of the health and personal 

social services now provided by the HSE. 

Councillors Fallon, McNamara 

and Ward. 

River Suck Joint Drainage 

Committee 

To oversee the ongoing maintenance of the 

River Suck Drainage District. 

Councillors Callaghan, 

Connaughton, Fitzmaurice, 

Kenny, Kilduff, Leyden and J. 

Murphy. 

Road Safety Together Committee 

To make the roads in county Roscommon a 

safer place for all road users. 

Councillors Callaghan, 

Doherty and Ward. 


Audit Committee 

Advising the Council on financial reporting 

processes, internal control, risk management 

and audit matters, promoting good accounting 

practices, ensuring better and more informed 

decision-making, and improving the focus on 

value for money throughout the organisation. 

Councillor E. Murphy. 



List of External Bodies on which Roscommon County Council is formally represented by Councillors in 2011 

Committee Title 


Homeless Forum 

Purpose of the Committee 

To plan and oversee the delivery of homeless 

services in county Roscommon 

Elected Members representing 


Councillors Kenny and Keogh. 

Roscommon County Council Joint 

Policing Committee 

To serve as a forum for consultations, 

discussions and recommendations on matters 

affecting the policing of the local authority’s 

administrative area. 

Councillors Beirne, Cogan, 

Connolly, Creaton, Crosby, 

Doherty, Fallon, Fitzmaurice, 

Keenan, Kenny, Keogh, Leyden, 

Mulligan, Naughten and Ward. 

Roscommon County Development 

Board 

Promotes co-operation between all agencies 

and development groups operating in the 

county and oversees the development and 

implementation of the County's 10-year 

Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy 2002- 

2012. 

Councillors Beirne, Crosby, 

Cummins, Keenan and Keogh 

Roscommon County Enterprise 

Board Limited 

Directors of the Limited Company. 

Councillors Fitzmaurice, Keenan, 

E. Murphy and J.Murphy. 

Roscommon Integrated 

Development Company 

Non-government agency delivering rural and 

community development programmes on 

Councillors Doherty, Garvey 

and Ward. 

Rural Water –Local Monitoring 

Committee 

behalf of the Government to the people of 

Roscommon. 

Councillors Beirne, Crosby 

and Cummins. 

Shannon International River 

Basin District Advisory Body 

To advise on the operation of and to monitor 

the implementation of the Rural Water 

Programme locally. 

Councillors Connaughton 

and Ward. 

Údarás na hOllscoile Governing 

Authority, National University of 

Ireland, Galway 

Responsible for managing and controlling all of 

the affairs of the University and is composed 

of members of the academic staff, the student 

body and several external members. 

Councillor Domnick Connolly. 

West Regional Authority 

Co-ordinate actions on behalf of the constituent 

local authorities. 

Councillors Connaughton, 

Crosby, Cummins, McGreal, 

Mulligan and Naughten. 

Western Inter-County Rail 

Committee 

This committee is committed to the re-opening 

of the Western Rail Corridor. 

Councillors Cogan, Kilduff, 

McGreal and Mulligan. 


Notes 

72 Roscommon County Council 

Design: JDK Design

Senior Officers Roscommon County Council 

Frank Dawson, County Manager 

Management Team 

Majella Hunt, Director of Services Roads, Transportation and Water Infrastructure 

Martin Lydon, Head of Finance and Planning 

Kathleen Martin, Director of Services Housing, Community & Enterprise and Culture 

Tommy Ryan, Director of Services Environment, Human Resources, Corporate 

and Emergency Services 

Senior Executive Officers / Analogous 

Financial/Management Accountant 

Corporate Services 

County Librarian 

Head of Information Systems 


Housing and Community & Enterprise 

Roads, Transportation and Water Infrastructure 

Derek Caldbeck 

Fíona ní Chuinn 

Richie Farrell 

Martin Finan 

Mary Lindsay 

Pat Murtagh 

Desmond O’Dwyer 

Senior Engineers 

Roads & Transportation 


Environment 

Eugene Dwyer 

Kieran Madden 

John O’Rourke 

Senior Planner 

Chief Fire Officer 

Frank Flanagan (Temporary) 

Cathal McConn


The Courthouse, Roscommon 

County Roscommon 

Tel: +353 (0)90-6637100 

Fax: +353 (0)90-6637108 

Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie 

www.roscommoncoco.ie

Annual Report 2011 - Roscommon County Council

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