Latest news with #LiamConneally
Agriland
6 days ago
- General
- Agriland
Galway County Council launches new biodiversity plan
Galway County Council has launched a strategy for preserving and enhancing the county's natural and cultural heritage over the next six years. The council unveiled the new Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2024-2030 at the Marine Institute, Rinville, Co. Galway, today, June 3, 2025. It aims to set out a detailed roadmap to address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the need for community-driven heritage preservation. The plan has been developed in collaboration with the Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Forum, and the Heritage Council. According to the county council, the key priorities for the plan includes conducting a comprehensive biodiversity audit of council-owned lands, updating Galway's invasive alien species strategy, and developing a countywide tree and hedgerow management plan. The plan also commits to protecting sensitive habitats, such as peatlands and marine ecosystems, and delivering biodiversity education through training in collaboration with the Public Participation Network (PPN). The chief executive of Galway County Council, Liam Conneally said: 'The plan sets out a clear, action-driven vision to protect and celebrate our county's rich natural, built, and cultural heritage. 'It will guide our efforts in addressing climate and environmental challenges, promoting sustainability, and enhancing awareness and stewardship,' Conneally added. Galway County Council The biodiversity officer for Galway County Council, Rosina Joyce said that climate change and biodiversity loss are central to the plan. She said: 'Our heritage is a cornerstone of community pride and identity. This plan not only celebrates these unique assets but also addresses pressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the evolving needs of our society. 'We are committed to integrating climate resilience into all actions, ensuring that Galway's heritage and biodiversity contribute to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.' 'By promoting sustainable practices and innovative solutions, we aim to create a legacy of resilience for future generations.' Galway County Council claims that the plan is the only one of its kind in Ireland to fully integrate biodiversity and heritage in a combined action plan.
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
More than 40 planners to be hired in recruitment drive to boost house building
Local authorities across the country started a recruitment campaign on Tuesday intended to hire more than 40 planners as part of a wider attempt to facilitate the building of more homes. Local Government Ireland advertised a total of 43 openings for graduate planners across 26 of the country's 31 local authorities. The recruitment drive was one of a number of strategies the last government said it would pursue to increase planning capacity across the State as part of drive towards the construction of additional housing. The provision of additional places in planning courses at third level and the recruitment of more senior planners back from abroad were among the other measures provided for in the Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources, published by then minister for housing Darragh O'Brien last October. READ MORE The roles advertised on Tuesday are entry level graduate ones which initially pay almost €39,000, a figure that rises to about €50,000 with annual increments. A senior planner in the public service can earn up to about €108,000. 'Planners are critical to tackling the big challenges facing the world in which we live – including housing, protecting our environment, biodiversity and heritage,' said Liam Conneally, chair of the County and City Management Association's planning and land use committee. 'This new stream of planners will have a real and direct impact on sculpting areas in which they themselves live,' added Mr Conneally, who is also chief executive of Galway County Council. Last month, Mr O'Brien's successor at the department, James Browne, said the country's local authorities would be instructed to reopen county development plans before the end of the year with a view to rezoning significant amounts of land for residential use. [ James Browne has little power to fix the housing crisis. The status quo is in charge Opens in new window ] He said additional resources would be provided by Government to help with the process and in its announcement on Tuesday, Local Government Ireland acknowledged the recruitment initiative was on foot of the action plan, which sets out a roadmap to increase the pool of planning expertise in the sector. The revised National Planning Framework includes targets for 50,000 new homes to be built every year to 2040 but infrastructure issues are seen as a big barrier to achieving the numbers. The provision of additional planning expertise is intended to help equip local authorities and other agencies to deal with the challenges involved. John Cummins, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, said on Tuesday the department was 'working with the local government sector to ensure planning authorities have the requisite level of staffing, resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions'. The new roles are open to graduates with an honours degree in planning or those who expect to get one this year. Details are at .
BreakingNews.ie
13-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Graduate planners sought to help transform towns and cities
A recruitment drive is aiming to attract graduate planners into Ireland's county and city councils. The local government initiative, launched on Tuesday, aims to attract graduates exiting degree or masters courses in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain and internationally. Advertisement Successful candidates will have the opportunity to shape the future development of cities, towns and villages over the coming decades. A total of 43 new posts are now available in 26 of the 31 county and city councils nationwide, offering a starting salary of almost €39,000, 24 days' annual leave and a structured career allowing graduates to progress to professional planning. The initiative is part of the Government's ministerial action plan on planning resources, which sets out a roadmap to increase the pool of planning expertise in local authorities. 'Planners are critical to tackling the big challenges facing the world in which we live, including housing, protecting our environment, biodiversity and heritage,' said chairman of the County And City Management Association's planning and land use committee, Liam Conneally. Advertisement 'Local government plays a vital role in shaping entire communities and we now need dynamic graduate planners to join our teams across the country, where they can be involved in exciting projects, share their ideas and learn from experienced planners. 'This new stream of planners will have a real and direct impact on sculpting areas in which they themselves live,' added Mr Conneally, who is also the chief executive of Galway County Council. Mateusz Ciesiolka, 24, from Dublin's Drimnagh, graduated from TUD Bolton Street with a degree in Planning and Environmental Management. Now working with Dublin City Council, he says having a vision for an area is one of the core attractions of a planning career. Advertisement 'You're helping to determine the future development of your city or your village, but most importantly, we plan for people,' he said. Planner Grace Hamilton secured a graduate position with Meath County Council two months after finishing her full-time studies at Queen's University in Belfast last August. The Co Down native said: 'Every day is different, and it makes you see the world differently, there are things you wouldn't notice otherwise, and you can see the transformation of an area from start to finish.' Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins, said taking on dynamic graduate planners is crucial to drive the enhancement and development of cities, towns and villages. Advertisement 'My department is working with the local government sector to ensure planning authorities have the requisite level of staffing, resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions,' he said. 'In October 2024, my department published a ministerial action plan on planning resources to respond to capacity challenges in the planning sector. 'This provides a detailed roadmap to increase the pool of planning and related expertise needed to ensure a planning system fit for current and future needs.' The new vacancies are open to recent graduates with an honours level eight degree or higher in planning, or those who are due to graduate this year and expect to achieve an honour in a level eight degree or higher, and are entitled to work in the Republic of Ireland. Advertisement
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Recruitment drive launched for city and county planners
A new recruitment drive has been launched to attract graduate planners into Ireland's county and city councils. The local Government initiative is focussed on attracting graduates exiting degree or masters courses in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain and internationally. Successful candidates will help shape the future development of cities, towns and villages over the coming decades. "Planners are critical to tackling the big challenges facing the world in which we live ' including housing, protecting our environment, biodiversity and heritage," said Liam Conneally, Chair of the County and City Management Association's Planning and Land Use Committee. A total of 43 new posts are now available in 26 of the 31 county and city councils nationwide, offering a starting salary of almost €39,000, 24 days' annual leave and a structured career allowing graduates to progress to professional planning. Mateusz Ciesiolka from Dublin graduated from TUD Bolton Street with a degree in Planning and Environmental Management and is now working with Dublin City Council. "You're helping to determine the future development of your city or your village, but most importantly, we plan for people," he said. Planner Grace Hamilton secured a graduate position with Meath County Council two months after finishing her full-time studies at Queen's University in Belfast last August. "Every day is different, and it makes you see the world differently, there are things you wouldn't notice otherwise, and you can see the transformation of an area from start to finish," she said. The initiative is part of the Government's Ministerial Action Plan on Planning Resources, which sets out a roadmap to increase the pool of planning expertise in local authorities. Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins, said taking on dynamic graduate planners is crucial to drive the enhancement and development of cities, towns and villages. "My Department is working with the local government sector to ensure planning authorities have the requisite level of staffing, resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions," he said.
RTÉ News
30-04-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Expressions of interest sought to develop Galway Airport
Local authorities in Galway are inviting expressions of interest for the development of the city's former airport. The 118-acre site was jointly purchased by Galway city and county councils in 2013, after it had ceased to operate as a commercial airport. In the intervening years, the facility has been used as a Covid-19 testing centre, a filming location for a number of productions and a concert venue. The councils are seeking expressions of interest, saying the site has the capacity to accommodate a multiplicity of uses, "subject to zoning and planning". The airport is described as a "key opportunity site" in the Regional Spacial and Economic Strategy, given its size, location and proximity to the motorway infrastructure. Chief Executive of Galway County Council Liam Conneally said the local authorities wanted to unlock the location's potential, to drive economic growth and sustainable development for Galway. In 2015, a feasibility study recommended the site be redeveloped as a creative campus for the film sector.
