Acting Director of Services, Fiona Ni Chuinn presented the proposed budget for her service areas of responsibilities:

Housing: 

•        Housing Budget increase of €311,600 to €9,259,100 

•        Maintenance decreased by €100k, new condition surveys of housing stock will result in separate targeted funded maintenance

•        Tenant administration has increased as legal fees for debt management and conveyancing increase

•        Homeless services increase as presentations increase and additional supports required, 90% funded by DHLGH

•        RAS and leasing programme up €271,000 as new homes are completed and tenanted in conjunction with AHB’s and private market

•        Tenant in Situ acquisitions ongoing. In 2023 18 houses at a cost of €3,050,000 acquired/agreed, DHLGH funded

•        Appointment of Healthy Age Friendly Homes Coordinator

•        CroíCónaithe grants approved/approved in principle  - €5.2milllon

•        Housing Aid for Older People, Housing Adaptation/Mobility Aid increased, 20% Match Funding based on Department Allocation of €1.5m

Ukraine Humanitarian Response

·        2024 Budget provision included in D0601 for accommodation supports (€900,000 spent to date)

·        Staffing resources have been allocated to the unit and are fully recoupable.

·        14 Service Providers in the County (Two in direct contract with RCC)

• Offer a Home  - Payment of €800 tax free per month.  178 offers of houses received with 118 allocations for 375 persons received (38 offers subsequently withdrawn)

·        Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) to be established in 2024 with the objective to enable applicants to live independently in the community

Library Services:

·        Operation of Library Archival Services €2,486,300  an increase of €217,900

•        Specific measures include opening of temporary Ballaghaderreen Library at unit adjacent to Duffy’s Supervalu while renovations and energy upgrades at Dillon House are completed.

•        Preparation of Library Development Plan 2024

•        Programmes under Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, Right to Read, Skills for Life and Children and Schools programmes

•        Digital Services development and Book Fund

•        Sense-Ability services increased with launch of ‘The Happiness Programme’ via new Magic Table at Boyle Library, King House – grant from DRCD Dormant Accounts Fund.

•        Provision of Sensory Garden to rear of Castlerea Library under Community Recognition Fund grant.

Culture:

·        Arts Expenditure in 2024 will be €1.392m with income from Arts Council of €144.5k that will be supplemented by an additional €191k from Creative Ireland plus income generated from the Arts Centre and King House.

·        Funding provided for awards, bursaries, residencies, training and mentoring for artists and arts organisations;

·        Public programmes will include Culture Night, Bealtaine Festival, Literary Development, Creative Ageing, Arts Participation, Youth Programmes, Public Art

·        Roscommon Arts Centre provides Theatre, Gallery, Outreach & Engagement & Artist Supports

·        Delivery of Creative Ireland Programme will continue in 2024

·        A Creative Communities Engagement Officer was appointed in 2023 on a 5 year fixed term.

·        King House & Douglas Hyde Centre will continue to provide event space and cultural events in addition to the new Exhibition Space in An Ríoga in Boyle.

Capital Programme – Housing and Building:

Local Authority Housing (€61.1M):

Housing Capital Programme continues to ramp up as Housing for All impacts on delivery.  Projects are dependent on Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) funding approval.  In 2023, 44 houses complete and tenanted, additional 27 to complete by year end. The 2024 target expenditure is €10.6m.

Adequate zoned land holdings will impact on delivery over the coming 3 year programme

Traveller Accommodation (€3M):

The Traveller Accommodation Programme commits to the following projects to commence in 2024: Construction of 3 extensions in Torpan Beg, Ballyforan and design proceeding for 5 houses at Killerney, Roscommon.

 Local Authority Home Loans (€5.5M):

Projections for 2024 are based on approved loans for 2023.

CroíCónaithe Fund (€11M):

Over 3 years this fund will see an investment of €11 million for private and rented vacant properties. There are currently 214 applications, 93 are approved or approved in principle, valued in excess of €5.2m

Assistance to Persons Improving Houses (€4.56M) & Local Authority Housing Grants (€1.08m)

Energy Improvement Works to LA Dwellings (€4.5M):

In 2023 from a target of 45 units, 40 units are complete and the final 5 complete in early 2024. The average cost per unit circa €34k. In 2024 the target is 45/50 units and units are

currently under selection for design.

Library Services Capital Budget:

•        Capital Funding of €150k for upgrade works at Roscommon and Ballaghaderreen Libraries

•        Allocation of €50k for the replacement of the Library van at Library HQ

•        RRDF funding secured for the construction of the new Public Library in Boyle €6.5m