Community & Voluntary ~ Social Inclusion ~ Environment

Carlow PPN have been allocated 9 seats on these SPCs:

3 Environment seats

4 Community & Voluntary seats

2 Social Inclusion seats

• Making an impact in local policy creation
• Introduction to Strategic Policy Committees Video 

Carlow PPN submitted to the public consultation on

Carlow Local Authority Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) Scheme.

Access Carlow PPNs Submission

• Membership Criteria
• Public Participation Networks Handbook
• Secretariat Members 2026

Please avail of the opportunity to advertise in our

monthly eBulletin.
Email/call Fiona on 087 276 0139/059 9136288
fbroadbery@carlowcoco.ie

Letter of Support from Carlow PPN - International Energy Research Centre (IERC) 

Carlow PPN was delighted to provide a letter of support to the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) at Tyndall/UCC in support of their EVNext2030+ research proposal, which is being submitted to the SEAI RD&D Programme 2026.

The project focuses on co-designing equitable EV charging infrastructure and driving a fair energy transition.

Project Overview

Carlow Town Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs)

Carlow Town Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) is a community-led group, working collectively to improve how energy is consumed, managed and produced locally.

Their primary goal is to reduce carbon emissions in Carlow Town

Please join them for their General Meeting in the Woodford Dolmen, July 1st, 5.30pm.

See poster for details - just pop in!

Garreenleen Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund Drop-In Information Session

Perigus Energy is hosting a drop-in session on the Garreenleen Community Benefit Fund, which is expected to open in August with around €200,000 available.

 

Location: Rathoe Community Hall

Date: Thursday, July 9th
Time: 4 - 6pm, 

Decarbonising Zones - Carlow County Council

Carlow is taking action to build a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone. The Decarbonising Zone is a key part of this journey - but what exactly is a Decarbonising Zone, and what does it mean for your community?
Take a few minutes to explore the following short video to understand what a Decarbonising Zone is all about, why Carlow has one, and how it brings together local people, businesses, and organisations to reduce emissions and improve daily life.

Watch video here

National Climate Action Week 2026 takes place from 12 - 18 October 2026. 

Launch of Budget Choices 2027

Social Justice Ireland invites you to the launch of Budget Choices 2027 on Thursday 2nd July, 10am online. 

As Government prepares its Budget, it has an opportunity to deliver on its promises in the Programme for Government and to pursue policies that promote the Common Good of all.

Register here

Community Finance Ireland Launch Annual Report 2025

In 2025, Community Finance Ireland continued to unlock social finance options for the community and voluntary sector. To date they have provided grassroots community projects with over €140m in social finance.

Read the Report here

IPB Pride of Place 2026

Tullow Town and Ballymurphy will take part in the 2026 Pride of Place competition on 24 July, competing in the over 5,000 and 0 - 300 population categories respectively.

Local communities are encouraged to attend and showcase their areas.

• Tullow’s judging will run from 9:30am to 12:30pm at the Library, and
• Ballymurphy’s from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Community Hall, covering heritage, culture, environment, youth, and community activities.

See you there!!

Heritage Potato Project

The first video from the Heritage Potato Project by Carlow County Council is now available. Part of the 2026 Commemorative Programme, the project explores heritage potato growing as a way to reflect on the Famine. Watch the video and follow the project as it develops.

Watch the first video here: https://youtu.be/HCD3kltCT7E

Follow the project as it develops over the coming months and share it with others. Anyone interested in learning more or taking part in future stages is encouraged to get in touch.

 Campa Oidhreachta agus Spóirt!

Carlow Library, Active Carlow, and Carlow Heritage are hosting their first ever Campa Oidhreachta agus Spóirt from Monday 6th to Wednesday 8th July, with 20 children enjoying three days of sport, culture, and heritage.
Brave volunteers are needed to have their faces painted by the children on Wednesday 8th July, 12:45pm–1:45pm, in the Shaw Room, Carlow Library, Tullow Street.

If you’re willing to be painted (and laughed at!), email nshannon@carlowcoco.ie to sign up!

Volunteer with Carlow Tidy Towns

Carlow Tidy Towns work tirelessly to keep Carlow Town looking its very best and they need your help! Volunteers are always welcome, even if you can only spare a couple of hours a month. Litter picks take place every Tuesday evening and every second Saturday morning.

Why not come along, lend a hand, and be part of the amazing work being done to keep our town beautiful?

Every helping hand makes a difference!

Further details

Hope and Courage Collective

The Hope and Courage Collective works to strengthen democracy and resilience against hate and disinformation. Its latest report compares trends from 2024 to 2025 and highlights community efforts to build more inclusive and welcoming societies across Ireland.

Read report here

Minister Approves Extension for Supervised Injecting Facility

Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has extended the licence for Dublin’s Supervised Injecting Facility by 12 months to June 2027, allowing it to continue providing a safe, monitored space to reduce drug-related harm.

Read Press Release here

State of Caring 2026 Report

Family Carers Ireland has released the State of Caring 2026 report, based on input from nearly 3,000 carers, helping to inform future policy and advocacy.

Read the full report here

Migration, Welfare and Fiscal Impact

The ESRI has published two reports funded by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. One reviews international research on how immigration affects public spending, while the other looks at welfare payment rates among immigrants in Ireland.

Access the reports here

See her Elected (SHE) June News

SHE supports women across rural Ireland to become county councillors and to be part of their campaign teams.

Read SHE June Newsletter here

Carlow County Councils' Housing Services Hub acts as a centralised access point for a wide range of housing-related services.

The Housing Services Hub is at 6 to 8 Staplestown Road, Carlow and is open to the public following its launch on Monday 12 May 2025.

Read more here

General Housing overview 

Social Housing Supports

Housing services centre opens in Carlow town

Homelessness Information and Advice

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme

Age Friendly Ireland, based on the WHO’s Global Age Friendly Framework, is a local government-led initiative preparing Ireland for a growing older population.

Coordinated by Meath County Council, it supports 35 local Age Friendly programmes nationwide. The service ensures older people’s voices are heard through regular consultation, influencing policy and service delivery at every level.

Website: Age Friendly Ireland

TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow is dedicated to providing essential transport services to the rural areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wicklow. Their reliable and efficient services aim to connect communities and ensure transportation access for all.

Website: ckwlocallink

 

 

 

 

 

HSE Older People’s Services – Carlow & Kilkenny. 

Comprehensive clinical, therapy, day services, home support, and convalescence are available.

Contact your Public Health Nurse at your local health centre.

For nursing home listings and subsidies, call (056) 778 4633.

Hospitals:

• Carlow District Hospital: (059) 913 6300
• Sacred Heart Hospital, Carlow: (059) 913 630

Creative Communities Initiative 

The Creative Communities Initiative is now open, offering up to €1,500 for community arts projects, workshops, and events.

Applications close 10 July 2026, with projects to be completed by 22 October.

Apply via consult.carlow.ie.

Call for Expressions of Interest - Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funds new and improved outdoor recreational facilities in rural areas and is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Full details can be found here

Toy Show Grants Announced

More than one million children and their families are to benefit from the latest €4.7 million in grants from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal announced recently.

RTÉ and Community Foundation Ireland are confirming 173 grants from the appeal, which will transform lives of children right across the country in different, innovative ways.

Read full story here

Full list of grants here

Outdoor Recreation Funding

Minister Dara Calleary has launched the 2026 - 2027 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), with €20 million available for outdoor recreation projects nationwide.

Read more here

€27.8m for Community and Voluntary Sector

The Scheme to Support National Organisations 2026–2029 will provide core funding to 92 national community and voluntary organisations, with a total of €27.8 million allocated over three and a half years.

Read more here

Pathways to Wellbeing Plan Launched

Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor and Minister Mary Butler have launched the Pathways to Wellbeing Implementation Plan, setting out a two‑year, cross‑Government approach to embed mental health and wellbeing across policy and everyday life.

Pathways to Wellbeing Implementation Plan can be found here

National Economic and Social Council (NESC) Research Consultation Sessions

The NESC is inviting people to take part in workshop in Athlone 7 July to share views on Ireland’s sustainable future. Feedback will help inform its research and recommendations to Government.

Find out more

If you would like to attend either workshop please register at the relevant link as follows: 

• 7th July Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, 10:30am - 4:30pm: Registration Athlone

Variation No. 1 to the Carlow County Development Plan 2022 - 2028

Carlow County Council has officially made a Variation (a change) to the Carlow County Development Plan 2022–2028. The decision was made on Monday, 10th March 2025, and the change took effect immediately. The Variation was approved exactly as proposed, with no modifications.

Full details

Public Consultation to inform the Review of the Disability Act 2005

This consultation will review the Disability Act, including recent changes to the Assessment of Need process and possible reforms to support disability rights. Submissions close 9th September 2026 at 5pm.

Full details and how to make a submission can be fund here

National Drugs Strategy 2026 -2029 

This report presents the findings from the public consultation on the draft National 
Drugs Strategy 2026 - 2029, which sets out an integrated, equitable and evidence-based 
response to drug and harmful alcohol use. 

Read the report here

Carlow PPN invites all stakeholders to explore our self-paced, online training, developed with Social Justice Ireland and offered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Training Days for Event Organisers

The 2026 National Heritage Week Learning and Networking events are now open for registration.

Join online training sessions throughout May to hear from heritage experts, gain ideas, and connect with other organisers. These free events will help you plan activities for National Heritage Week 2026, taking place from 15th -23rd August.

Register here

Grá Carlow

Love Carlow is delighted to unveil the next evolution of its brand. Grá Carlow - championing Carlow businesses throughout the county. Supporting local, promoting local, shopping local.

Discover here

€426,000 App to Tackle Alcohol Use

Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has announced €426,000 for a two-year HSE-led project to develop an online tool to help people reduce alcohol and drug use.

Read more here

Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition 2026 Winners

Ireland’s Best Kept Town is an all-island competition in which some of the best villages and towns participating in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition compete against their counterparts in Northern Ireland’s Best Kept competition.

Minister Dara Calleary, congratulated the winners of the all-island,  Ireland’s Best Kept Town Competition. Read more here

Home Support Bill Passed

This Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025 updates the 2007 Health Act to require all home support providers in Ireland to register with HIQA for the first time.

It gives inspectors the power to oversee services, makes it illegal to operate without registration, and ensures providers are regularly checked to meet required standards.

Read the full report here