Don't forget!
If you have information to share with other groups and organisations in Galway City, members of GCCN, please drop us a quick email at communications@gccn.ie.
Thank you!
Galway City Development Plan 2017 – 2023
Proposed Variation No. 7
Galway City Council propose to make a variation of the Galway City Development Plan 2017 – 2023 in respect of the following:
Proposed Variation No. 7: Amend Land Use Zoning and Specific Objectives Map to Extend the existing Specific Objective – Bus Route (GTS) to provide for a link through RA zoned lands from College Road to Lough Atalia Road.
AmendSection3.10SpecificObjectivesto provide additional text that further supports the Galway Transport Strategy projects including Public Transport measures, the City Centre Access Network, the Cross City Link and the Cycle Network.
A copy of the Proposed Variation, SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) and AA (Appropriate Assessment) screening reports and determinations are available for inspection at the Planning Department, Galway City Council, College Road, Galway during normal opening hours until Tuesday 5th January 2021 and on the website at www.galwaycity.ie.
Submissions or observations in relation to the Proposed Variation and associated environmental assessments may be made in writing before Tuesday 5th January 2021.
Galway City Council
Notice of Application to An Bord Pleanála for Approval SALMON WEIR PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE BRIDGE
Galway City Council proposes to seek the approval of An Bord Pleanála for a proposed development over the Lower River Corrib downstream of the existing Salmon Weir Bridge from Gaol Road to Newtownsmith in Galway City.
The proposed development would comprise of:
Construction of a three-span pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Lower River Corrib downstream of the existing Salmon Weir Bridge from Gaol Road to Newtownsmith in Galway City;
Alterations to existing stone masonry walls to facilitate the footpaths and approach spans to the proposed bridge;
Upgrading of existing footpaths at the tie in points at Gaol Road and Newtownsmith and a tie-in to the public ameni- ty area on Friar’s River embankment.
An Bord Pleanála may give approval to the application for development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development.
A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the proposed development. A copy of the Natura Impact Statement and the Plans and Particulars of the proposed development are available on the website of Galway City Council at www.busconnectsgalway.ie.
Submissions and observations may be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlbourough Street, Dublin, D01 V902 on or before 4.30pm pm Thursday 21st January 2021.
A Compulsory Purchase Order has been made in respect of the proposed development. For details please visit the separate public notice here.
For further details on the Galway City Council Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle BridgeDevelopment and for information on how to submit observations please visit the Galway City Council Website here.
Galway City Council has prepared a Draft Development Contribution Scheme for the period 2020 – 2026. The Scheme provides for the levying of development contributions in accordance with the planning legislation to contribute to the funding of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the development of the City.
The Draft Development Contribution Scheme will be on public display until Thursday 21st January 2021.
Submissions or observations in regard to the proposed Draft Scheme can be made until Thursday 21st January at 4pm.
A copy of the Draft Development Contribution Scheme can be viewed on the City Council website at www.galwaycity.ie/planning and is also be available for public inspection at the Planning offices of Galway City Council.
Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy Consultation Paper
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has tasked SOLAS (The Further Education and Training Authority) with the development of a 10-year Adult Literacy Numeracy and Digital Literacy (ALND) Strategy for Ireland, and they are seeking your help and input to shape this new strategy. As noted in the Consultation Paper - here this public consultation is part of an overall consultation plan to gather views on the development of a 10-year Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy (ALND) Strategy for Ireland.
This is an online consultation that is open to anybody who wishes to give their views on the development of a 10-year Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy (ALND) Strategy for Ireland.
Please arrange to share this with your groups, colleagues, contacts and networks as the aim is to create an environment where all adults in Ireland have the necessary literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully take part in society.
Funding and Waters Seminar The Local Authority Waters Programme
The 2021 Community Water Development Fund was launched on Saturday 28 November. For the 2021 Open Call, applicants are asked to complete the application form online and in conjunction with the guidelines provided online at http://watersandcommunities.ie/community-water-development-fund/. Please contact Conor Ruane (Community Water Officer) on 085 8083059 or at cruane@lawaters.ie in advance of applying to the fund. Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 9 February 2021 at 12 noon.
Types of projects considered for funding will include:
Capital projects such as: wildlife conservation and restoration of habitat; natural flood mitigation measures; fish passage projects; invasive species control, tree planting, rain garden and Nature Based Solutions, etc.
Awareness raising and information initiatives, such as videos and publications.
Projects that promote public awareness/education and events such as biodiversity days, training workshops, surveys and plans, water conservation initiatives, Citizen Science, etc.
Community benefit and amenities such as: beach clean-ups, improving amenity areas, bird watching facilities, etc.
Grants awarded will range from €500 to €5,000; up to €10,000 and up to €25,000.
If you experience any technical difficulties on the website or need advice please contact Sheevaun Thompson, Funding Lead, Local Authority Waters Programme at 087 2436804, email funding@lawaters.ie or contact Conor Ruane on 085 8083059 or at cruane@lawaters.ie.
Annual seminar of Irish Rivers Trusts and Catchment Groups.
A link to a recording of the seminar is available on the The Local Authority Waters Programme conference website here (click the play button to start the recording).
16 Days of Action 2020 Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign
The 16 Days of Action Campaign is an important opportunity to raise awareness and call for changes at an international, national and local level to make women and children safe from abuse. The campaign runs from 25th November (UN Day For the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10th December 2020 (International Human Rights Day). The focus of this year’s Women’s Aid campaign is: Intimate relationship abuse, including online abuse, against young people (18-25 years).
Information and Awareness Campaigns
On 25th November, Women’s Aid held the UN Day Opposing Violence against Women Seminar - Click here for recording.
Too Into You Public Awareness Campaign on Instagram and Snapchat 25th November to 10th December. Click here for more information.
Young People and Intimate Relationship Abuse infographic - download here.
16 Facts for 16 Days awareness infographic – download here.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities #PurpleLights Campaign
Not all disabilities are visible, in fact as many as 80% of disabilities are invisible.
This year the theme for United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, #IDPwD20, is people with invisible disabilities. Too often they, as well as their disability, are invisible.
Never has it been more important to know that many people with compromised immune systems or various lung diseases are in our neighbourhoods. Their disability is invisible, but your support need not be. They really need space and extra consideration during this pandemic.
For the International Day of Persons with Disabilities,
GCCN wishes to show our support for all people with disabilities.
Deliberative democracy and citizen engagement can be effective responses to the erosion of trust in democratic institutions, as well as helping to develop better policies by including all those concerned in more direct ways. A number of recent studies namely the OECD’s report “Catching the Deliberative Wave” and a European Parliament study on ‘practices of democracy’ describes the flourishing of inspiring deliberative democracy initiatives, including many in the EU, where thousands of randomly selected citizens are enrolled into more participatory governance styles in our democratic regimes. This context shows the flourishing interest in these tools and therefore raises expectations of the Commission.
Learning objectives of this Festival
- Capacity building on Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Practices.
- Showcase and learn about ongoing important files of citizen engagement run by the Commission by relevant services, notably the Conference on the Future of Europe.
- Illustrate why greater engagement of the public in policy-making is even more needed now than it was before the outbreak of Covid-19. Further strengthen and widen across the Commission the understanding of the role of citizen engagement in all phases of the policy cycle, especially focusing on co-creation and deliberative practices.
- Showcase citizen engagement that services are conducting or supporting, e.g. the Horizon Europe Missions and in the Member States.
- Address some cross-cutting challenges with practitioners in the field, e.g. evaluation.
Overview of new supports available from
ALONE, Aware, Jigsaw and Volunteer Ireland
Below please find information and updates on new supports available from ALONE, Aware, Jjgsaw and Volunteer Ireland. Included is an overview document that introduces each support and explains how to access it. The other attachments provide more information on each service for your information.
ALONE are offering free training to support organisations to support more people in their communities to stay connected. ALONE plans and hopes to play an integral role in supporting the Community Response Forum in assisting any persons vulnerable to isolation all across the community to access befriending and support services nationally. See more in the file above.
World AIDS Day took place on Tuesday 1st December. The theme for World AIDS Day 2020 was “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact".
Sexual Health West have pulled together a few great events as per below:
Ireland is now at Level 3 from Tuesday, 1st December into January. Some additional special measures are planned for Christmas.
For full details of Level 3 and special arrangements for Christmas, go to http://gov.ie/level3Below please find some quick links to:
The Galway City Community Call Helpline New Flyer GraphicsThe helpline is open to anyone who needs it from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
If you need support or help to get access to shopping, food, medication or if you feel isolated or lonely and need someone to talk to, please get in touch at:
1800 400 150 covidsupport@galwaycity.ie
Please find below the new graphics for the Community Call for Galway City, for your information and onwards circulation and promotion:
The Keep Well campaign provides guidelines, information, and tips on how we can add healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines around five simple actions: keeping active, keeping in contact, switching off and getting creative, eating well and minding your mood
REMINDERSupport for the Older People in the Coming Months
With the winter months approaching, we would like to share once again some of the main helplines for older people to access, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 alert.
Galway City COVID-19 Community Call Helpline: 1800 400 150
COPE Galway Helpline: 085 87 67 785
Alone Helpline: 0818 222 024
Senior Line: 1800 804 591
We highly encourage you to share these numbers with any older person you know.
As part of the ongoing work of the Galway City Community Response Forum, Galway City Community Network and Galway City Council have developed a map of the COVID-19 related responses, activities and services available to people in Galway City.
The map is publicly available and can be used as a useful information resource both for individuals made vulnerable by COVID-19 and by organisations or agencies that need to know where they may refer their clients to for support.