New grants available for music education in Laois schools
New grants are available for music education in Laois schools with local music groups and organisations urged to apply.
Fine Gael TD Willie Aird has encouraged groups to apply for the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme, which was announced by the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee TD.
A total of €100,000 is available in grants which allow organisations with limited or no access to other forms of public funding to pay for music classes, instruments and other equipment.
The scheme has previously helped children’s choirs, concert bands, brass bands, folk orchestras, uilleann pipers and more.
It is targeted at smaller organisations involved in non-mainstream music education and community music initiatives who cater for socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
Minister McEntee said: “It is vital that we provide our children and young learners with every opportunity to express themselves and show their creativity.
“Music education is one of the many holistic ways in which we can support children and young people in our communities to achieve their full potential.”
Organisations are invited to make their applications under the Non-Mainstream Music Education Bursary Scheme 2025 by Thursday, April 10.
Applicants must download the application form, complete all sections, save and send by email to nmmebs@education.gov.ie.
Latest EPA data on water quality ‘underlines farmers significant efforts’
The EPA’s Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator Report for 2024 shows reduced nitrogen levels last year in a representative sample of Irish rivers
The news has been welcomed by Willie Aird TD, who said there is currently an “unprecedented level of collaboration and engagement across the agri-food sector to reduce its impact on water quality.
“The results in this latest EPA report will give the agricultural sector and farmers a real boost that the hard work is paying off.
“The nitrates derogation is a national asset on which a sector of our economy depends, and Ireland must do everything it can to ensure we retain it.”
Applications can now be made at Agfood.ie. The closing date is Thursday, May 15.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, said the Nitrates Derogation “gives farmers an opportunity to farm at higher stocking rates, subject to strict conditions that protect the environment and meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive.”
Government ‘need to start providing affordable and social housing’
Laois Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley spoke in the Dáil this week, saying the Government “need to start providing affordable and social housing” for towns such as Abbeyleix, Graiguecullen, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Rathdowney and more.
“Housing targets were missed last year by a country mile,” Deputy Stanley said.
“The leaders of the Government promised before the election that up to 40,000 units would be delivered, but when we got through the election, we discovered that just 30,000 were built.
“The affordable Housing scheme, as currently designed, is not working and it will not work in most parts of the country.
“Workers and families who are just above the limit for social housing but do not have a hope of getting a mortgage or a loan for a house are losing out.
“They are stuck in private rented accommodation, paying skyrocketing rents with no security of tenure for themselves or their families. They are locked in and those who are over 40 or 50 have no hope what’s so ever.
“We need affordable housing to buy and rent in those towns. We need cost rentals for workers and families.
“The housing commission report tells us that there is an urgency around enforcing vacant building and vacant site taxation.”
Deputy Stanley said the residential zoned land tax at 3% “is not enough,” and “needs to be stepped up a gear.”
The Independent Republican TD said it is “unusual” that just 16 local authorities have levied the vacant sites levy.
“We also need to mass produce housing,” the Deputy said, adding “We need six to ten house designs for different needs, for disabled needs, single people, families with children, both larger and smaller houses.
“That will cut out the architectural costs, which are adding 10% to 14% to the cost of building and slowing the process down, Papers go back and forward between Departments.
“We need to cut this out and use the same designs and plan across the State.”
Mental health services in Laois ‘an issue of life and death’
Laois Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack has urged the Government to provide emergency funding to SOSAD (Save Our Sons And Daughters) Portlaoise, saying it is “an issue of life and death.”
Senator McCormack called SOSAD “a vital mental health organisation” and said they were “facing imminent closure due to financial constraints.”
SOSAD Portlaoise comprises of a small core team and 33 volunteer counsellors who provide lifesaving support.
“For nearly two decades, SOSAD has been a lifeline for those struggling with their mental health across Ireland,” Senator McCormack said.
“Yet, despite the growing demand for its services, the organisation has been forced to cut back, including suspending its text support service due to a lack of funding.”
The Sinn Féin Senator this week raised the matter in the Seanad, saying: “Last week alone, SOSAD Portlaoise saw 108 clients – more than double the number from the same week last year.
“These are people in deep distress, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. SOSAD’s intervention saves lives through suicide prevention, emergency counselling, and crisis support.
“Suicide remains a national tragedy, and SOSAD has filled the gap left by overstretched public mental health services.
“But without immediate financial assistance, this essential service may disappear before long-term funding through HSE governance is secured.”
“Bureaucracy and financial shortfalls cannot be the reason lives are lost.”
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