Offaly County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied) — Chapter 9: Social Inclusion Community and Cultural Development

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 293 Chapter 9: Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development 9.1 Aim To promote settlements and communities where people can live and work, with access to a range of quality community and cultural facilities which are a vital component in increasing social inclusion and contributing to the quality of life for all. This chapter is prepared in the context of the following documents: International Context • UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities National Context • Project Ireland 2040 The National Planning Framework 2018 • Our Communities: A Framework Policy for Local and Community Development in Ireland, 2015 • National Physical Activity Plan 2018 • Realising our Rural Potential, the Governments Action Plan for Rural Development, 2017 • Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities • Culture 2025 – A Framework Policy to 2025, DAHRRGA, 2016 • Better Outcomes, Brighter Future – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 • Healthy Ireland - A Framework for Improved Health and Well Being, 2013-2025 • Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy, National Children’s Office, 2019 • The Provision of Schools and the Planning System: A Code of Practice for Planning Authorities, DEHLG, 2008 • Childcare Facility Guidelines for Planning Authorities, DEHLG, 2001 • Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative Survey, Department of Health, 2016 • National Positive Ageing Strategy, Department of Health, 2013 • National Strategy for Traveller and Roma Integration 2017-2021 • National Disability Authorities Strategic Plan 2019-2021

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 294 • Great Outdoors - A Guide for Accessibility 2018 • National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2018-2021 • Get Ireland Active, National Physical Activity Plan 2016 • Europe 2020 Strategy • National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2018-2021 • World Health Organisation, Promoting Physical Activity and Active Living in Urban Areas – The Role of Local Governments 2006 • National Anti-Poverty Strategy Regional Context • Eastern and Midland Regional, Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019 Local Context • Offaly Local Economic and Community Plan, 2016-2021 • Offaly Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme 2018-2022 • Age Friendly Strategy for Offaly 2018-2021 • Healthy Offaly Plan 2018-2020 • Offaly County Council and Offaly Local Development Company’s Joint Playground Policy 2009-2013 • Offaly Sports Partnership Strategic Plan 2016-2020 • Offaly Culture and Creative Strategy 2018-2022 • Connecting People, Connecting Places; A Strategy for Walking and Cycling, 2015 • Offaly Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2015 • Offaly Heritage Plan 2017-2022 • County Offaly Arts Strategy 2018-2022 • Offaly Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 to 2022 • Draft Offaly County Library Development Plan 2018 to 2022 • Offaly County Council Accessibility Project 2020

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 295 9.2 Context In general, the purpose of the County Development Plan in relation to community, social and cultural development is to include appropriate policies and objectives which relate to the allocation and reservation of land, development management standards and provision of specific social, community and cultural facilities within the county. Place is intrinsic to achieving good quality of life; the quality of our immediate environments, our ability to access services and amenities, such as education and healthcare, shops and parks. The leisure and social interactions available to us all combine to make a real difference to people lives. The term ‘community services’ / ‘social infrastructure’ potentially covers a very broad range of infrastructure and service provision to meet the needs of Offaly’s residents. The emphasis in the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), is placed on childcare and educational facilities, including the services such as pre-schools, Naionraí (Irish language playgroups), day-care services, crèches, preschools, Montessori schools, playgroups, childminding, after-school groups, primary, secondary and special needs schools. Other community facilities / social infrastructure includes places of worship, burial grounds, hospital, garda stations and health centres, facilities for older people and persons with disabilities, libraries and community halls. A collaborative approach by all stakeholders i.e. state, local authority, voluntary and community groups and the private sector on the identification and provision of community facilities is required on an on-going basis to ensure that appropriate facilities are provided, when necessary. The Council plays an integral role in facilitating and supporting these identified needs. 9.3 Social Inclusion Social inclusion ensures that all sections of the population can access high quality public services, education, amenities, employment and housing in an equal manner without discrimination and/or physical barriers. This Plan contains measures aimed at tackling poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion and its implementation will make a positive contribution to communities in the county. Social infrastructure plays an important role in developing strong and inclusive communities. The Council will work to support the implementation of the Offaly Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which aims to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment through local engagement and partnership between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. 9.4 Voluntary and Community Groups Offaly County Council recognises the essential contribution that voluntary groups, community groups and sporting groups make to the quality of life that residents in the county enjoy. The Offaly Public Participation Network (PPN) which comprises community and voluntary groups from across the county, is one of the main links through which the local authority connects with the

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 296 community, voluntary and environmental sectors. It provides the opportunity to create greater synergies between local government and community development placing community development at the heart of local government. The Offaly Public Participation Network will assist the work of the Council regarding the needs of the community and the Council will actively engage with the Network when implementing the objectives of this Plan. The Department of Rural and Community Development’s CLÁR programme provides funding for smallscale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline. CLÁR aims to support sustainable development in identified areas by attracting people to live and work there. The funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identified priorities. Offaly Council will continue to consult and work with local communities in accessing available funding for CLÁR projects. Figure 9.1 Water Sports on the Grand Canal in Daingean 9.5 Community Facilities The term ‘community facilities’ covers a variety of amenities which are responsive to and meet the needs of individual communities. The Council will seek to ensure that an appropriate range of community facilities is provided in all communities taking account of the county’s young and growing older population and growth targets identified in the Core Strategy of this County Development Plan. In order to prevent the loss of community facilities, the Council will discourage their change of use to non-community uses.

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 297 9.6 Educational Services Central Government, through the Department of Education and Skills, is responsible for the delivery of quality educational facilities and services. The Planning Authority’s role in education provision is in ensuring that adequate serviceable land is available in appropriate locations to meet current and envisaged future requirements beyond the Plan period. Optimally, schools need to be located along sustainable transport corridors (i.e. walking, cycling, public transport). 9.7 Other Education/Skills Training/Third Level A number of post second level courses are available within Offaly which provide additional education and training, further equipping candidates for the workforce, for example Offaly Local Development Company courses, Offaly Outreach Education Project, Education Training Board, Adult Education Centre and Solas. The Council will encourage groups and providers to examine mechanisms to increase the availability of all existing community educational facilities and training resources to a wider section of the population. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region 2019-31 states that by 2031 there will be a significant increase in the number of people in the 15-24 years’ age cohort which will lead to greater demand for third level education. The Council considers that Offaly has the potential to accommodate multiple campuses based on its sectoral strengths in areas such as food, energy, biodiversity, pharma and medtech, engineering and advanced manufacturing. Tullamore can provide complementary third level outreach educational facilities supporting the Midland Regional Hospital and its continued development as a Teaching/University Hospital. There also exists an opportunity to develop a centre in the county for exploring/evaluating new technologies in energy provision with Research and Development components based on the expertise available in the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT), University of Limerick (UL) and Maynooth University nexus. 9.8 Dual Use of Community Facilities The DoEHLG Guidelines on Childcare Facilities (2001) recommend the use of school premises to cater for after-school care and schools are encouraged to examine how they can help address the demand for such activities. The dual use of educational facilities, where it does not conflict with the delivery of the educational service (i.e. outside school hours and during school holidays) can contribute to meeting the wider needs of the community by helping to satisfy demand for a variety of activities. Where new schools or other community facilities are proposed, opportunities will be sought to ensure that they are designed in such a way as to facilitate dual use.

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 298 9.9 Co-Working Hubs The development of co-working hubs in the form of digital, remote working, co-working or creative spaces has the potential to stimulate local economies and offer people more flexible work options in turn reversing or reducing commuting levels from our towns and villages. The Council will support the establishment of co-working hubs as either standalone facilities themselves or ancillary to public buildings, libraries and community centres in our towns and villages as appropriate. Chapter 5 Economic Development Strategy addresses remote working and co-working hubs further. 9.10 Childcare The National Anti-Poverty Strategy1 states that the provision of childcare is essential to enable parents to participate in the workforce and to obtain an income that provides an acceptable standard of living for them and their children. Quality childcare can also make a significant contribution to child development in the early years of a child’s life. Increasing numbers of people in the workforce and changing lifestyles has increased the demand for childcare facilities within our communities. The Council continues to have regard to national guidelines notably ‘Childcare Facilities: Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ 2001. At a local level, the Offaly County Childcare Committee (inter-agency) has the following stated aims: • To develop a co-ordinated strategy for childcare provision in the county; • To increase the supply of childcare services and facilities; • To support and develop local networks of providers; • To update the baseline data provided in the National Childcare Census; • To develop an information strategy concerning the provision of childcare in the county; and • To establish and maintain effective links with the appropriate structures i.e. Local Area Partnerships, Health Service Executive (HSE) etc. Offaly County Council’s role in relation to childcare facilities is in implementing national guidelines and local policies and in encouraging and supporting adequate measures which are consistent with the size and scale of development proposals. 9.11 Play Facilities for Children The Council recognises the need to maximise opportunities for play facilities for children both within the natural and built environment. The Council has adopted a joint playground policy with Offaly Local Development Committee (OLDC), ‘Joint Playground Policy 2009-2013’ as extended. It is based on a partnership approach between the Council, OLDC and local communities. 1 This may be updated if and when the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2018-2021 is adopted.

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 299 Figure 9.2 Lloyd Town Park and Playground Tullamore 9.12 Youth The Council recognises the role of Comhairle Na nÓg, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), in giving children and young people the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies. It is recognised that a multi-agency approach is necessary in meeting the needs of the youth within the county. Such needs include recreational opportunities, including both formal and informal activities i.e. ‘youth cafes’, sports facilities and casual areas where young people can engage with each other. 9.13 People with Disabilities Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.2 For persons with mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, it is important to ensure facilities such as quiet rooms and sensory gardens are incorporated into development proposals where appropriate and that the needs of this group are taken into consideration in the selection of building materials. For people with mobility impairments, ensuring level/ramped access to buildings, dished kerbs and the provision of appropriate parking and toilet facilities are important. For people with visual impairments, tactile paving that can be felt underfoot and audible signals at pedestrian crossings are necessary. 2 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 1.

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 300 The Irish Wheelchair Association and Sport Ireland’s ‘Great Outdoors - A Guide for Accessibility’ (2018) provides guidance on accessible design to make specific outdoor environments more available and accessible for people with a disability including trails/greenways, public parks / playgrounds and the built environment in the great outdoors. Figure 9.3 Quiet Room 9.14 Older People Offaly County Council recognises that the county has an ageing population. In 2016, Offaly had a slightly higher than average proportion of older adults with 13.6% of the population in the county aged 65 or over compared to the national average of 13.4%. The Planning Authority supports the ‘Offaly Age Friendly County Strategy 2018-2021. In this Strategy, the Offaly Age Friendly Alliance sets out the goals and priorities for 2018-2021 and describes how it aims to help Offaly to become a great county within which to grow old. The Strategy focuses on the following eight high level strategic goals to bring about a positive and enabling environment for Offaly’s ageing population: Theme One: Outdoors Spaces and Buildings Theme Two: Housing Theme Three: Social Participation Theme Four: Transport Theme Five: Respect and Social Inclusion Theme Six: Civic Participation and Employment Theme Seven: Communication and Information Theme Eight: Community Support and Health Services

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   Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 301 Figure 9.4 Birr Castle Gardens 9.15 Universal Design One of the Strategic Priorities of the National Disability Authority Strategic Plan 2019-2021 is to continue to build awareness and adoption of the concept of Universal Design, maximizing independence and participation for all. The Council will promote Universal Design and Lifetime Housing in all new developments. This type of housing allows for the future adaption of units as needs present throughout the life cycle of the occupier/owner. It is a proactive step in addressing the housing needs of people with a disability, older people and the diversity of the family unit as well as increasing the value and sustainability of buildings in the long-term. The provision of housing for older people allows for the option of downsizing, thereby releasing larger houses to the market to meet the needs of young families. The Council will support the provision of appropriate housing accommodation for people with disabilities and older people. Such facilities should be integrated wherever possible into established areas in towns and villages, where residents can avail of reasonable access to local services by walking. 9.16 Sport / Recreation / Open Space Offaly Sports Partnership is an inter-agency group which is a sub structure of Offaly County Council, hosted by the Council and core funded by the Irish Sports Council. Its remit involves the achievement

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    Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 Chapter 9 Social Inclusion, Community and Cultural Development Page 302 of sustained local increases in participation levels in sport, physical activity and active living in Offaly in line with the national participation objectives of the Irish Sports Council. The Planning Authority has a role in protecting existing sport / recreation and open space areas and ensuring that adequate land is zoned for development to accommodate sporting and recreational facilities, both active and passive. Figure 9.5 Start line of running event in O’ Connell Square, Edenderry where significant public realm works were carried out in 2017 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. 9.17 Health and Well Being The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) is the largest hospital in the midlands, serving a population within Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath in addition to increasing numbers from surrounding counties. The MRHT provides acute care hospital services including a 24-hour emergency department, a trauma centre and it is the regional centre for Orthopaedics, Otolaryngology, Oncology, Haematology, Nephrology and Rheumatology. The places in which we live, work and play can affect both our physical and mental well-being. Communities that are designed in a way that supports physical activity encourage residents to make healthy choices and live healthier lives. The provision of public health care services for County Offaly is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE is rebalancing its approach with a shift from secondary care to primary care provision. The primary care model has a stronger emphasis on working with communities and individuals to improve their health and well-being. Building on the national ‘Health Strategy Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You’, the primary care model aims to ensure everyone has ready access to a broad spectrum of care services through a local primary care team. Primary Care Centres are emerging in the county in recent years and will continue to be facilitated on suitably zoned lands where appropriate, to allow communities access to multidisciplinary health care in easily accessible

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