Laois Businesses invited to Government Supply Expo
Local businesses, suppliers, and entrepreneurs are being invited to attend “one of the most important procurement events of the year.”
That is according to local Fine Gael TD Willie Aird, who is encouraging “strong participation” from the business community throughout Laois to the Government Supply Expo 2025: Pathways to Public Tendering. Registration is available here.
The expo will be hosted by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in partnership with InterTradeIreland, and takes place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Tuesday, November 11.
The event is described as “a unique opportunity for businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, micro-enterprises and social enterprises, to connect directly with government buyers and procurement professionals from across Ireland and Northern Ireland.”
The expo will bring together key public sector bodies, including Government Departments, Local Authorities, Health and Education agencies, and Defence.
“Billions of euro each year is spent by public bodies on goods, services and public works. I want to see more local businesses, including those across my constituency of Laois, accessing those opportunities, Deputy Aird said.
“I particularly encourage businesses in across County Laois to take advantage of this chance to build relationships, explore opportunities, and position themselves for future success in public tendering.”
88 derelict buildings have so far been refurbished in Laois
Vacant Property Refurbishment figures in Laois are “proof that the grant is breathing life back into vacant and derelict buildings and turning them into new homes.”
That is according to local Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming who was responding to new figures show that 88 derelict buildings have so far been refurbished in Laois.
Over €4.8 million has been spent on these 88 projects, an average of just under €55,000 per home.
“The people who have moved into these new homes are very pleased,” Deputy Fleming said. “Every home brought back into use helps add to the housing supply in Laois.
“I advise anybody who may have a suitable vacant or derelict property that can be brought back into use with a substantial Government grant to make an application to Laois County Council for these grants.”
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers up to €50,000 or up to €70,000 for derelict properties to help renovate for private use. The approval rate in Laois for these grants is over 95%.
‘No protection for Laois residents’ in new Planning and Development Bill
Laois Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has said there is “no protection for Laois residents’ in the Government’s new Planning and Development Bill
Deputy Stanley said he has been calling for proper regulations and guidelines regarding wind farm developments ever since he became a TD in 2011, but described the answers he received from every relevant Minister as “copy and paste.”
The Laois TD said there a no “proper guidelines for wind farms”, and said there needed to be “a balance of judgments” in regards to planning considerations.
“You have to weigh up the common good, environmental needs, electricity demands and a number of other factors. That has to be done properly,” Deputy Stanley said.
“We have 2006 planning guidelines for wind farms. They were okay at the time, when wind turbines were 30 m or 40 m high – 100 ft or 120 ft – but they are now hitting 600 ft.
“Planning permission is being sought for turbines of up to nearly 200m in height. They are springing up left, right and centre.”
Deputy Stanley said a recent Bill he had brought forward was designed to “try to put some order on this and to prompt some action on it by the Government.
“At the very least we need guidelines in place. We may need a short-term moratorium until we get guidelines in place.
“Communities need some say and some protection. Society needs electricity and we are electrifying our energy needs to try to reduce carbon emissions. Wind and solar are good sources but we do not have good guidelines for wind farms.”
Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell, confirmed that “there are currently no specific planning guidelines in place in respect of solar energy development.”
Deputy Stanley said that is “shocking” and said the Government “have a responsibility to bring forward guidelines” on the matter.
