Kildare County Council Outlines Achievements In 2023 Report

According to the report, housing targets were met.

Kildare County Council has published its Annual Report for 2023, detailing work and improvements carried out over the past year.

Kildare Climate Action Plan

In 2023, the Council adopted the Kildare Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. The plan sets measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, with a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Council facilities by 51% over the plan’s duration. The plan includes the Decarbonising Zone in Maynooth, intended as a testbed for climate action with successful outcomes to be shared with other communities.

Community Engagement and Support

A 10-day programme of events was held to celebrate St Brigid’s values, covering faith, biodiversity, arts, social justice, and education. These events were part of the Brigid 1500 programme, which aimed to highlight Kildare’s historic sites and engage local schools, artists, and community groups.

In 2023, the Council provided over 1,029 community grants, totalling €2,283,875.

Additionally, 139 community groups received LCDC community support funding amounting to €316,206.

Housing and Regeneration

According to the report, housing targets were met with 782 new social and affordable homes delivered by the Council and Approved Housing Bodies.

Furthermore, 1,250 households received social housing allocations, and 480 private households were approved for housing adaptation and aid grants.

The Council also reported that 199 households exited emergency accommodation, as per the Mid East Region Homeless Action Plan.

Transportation, Mobility, and Open Spaces

The Council maintained over 2,764km of road network in 2023 and opened the new Athy Distributor Road, a 3.4km stretch featuring walking and cycling infrastructure, new roundabouts, signalised junctions, and a steel bridge.

This development aimed to improve safety, reduce journey times, and enhance public transport accessibility in Athy.

Environmental Achievements

Council officials said they achieved high marks in the Environmental Protection Agency's Enforcement Performance Report, meeting all required standards for National Enforcement Priorities.

Corporate, People, and Cultural Services

Upgrades to the Council Chamber included enhancements to IT systems for hybrid meetings. A new framework for the Public Sector Duty Framework was finalised, ensuring compliance with Human Rights & Equality Commission guidance.

The Arts Service offered 19 Arts & Creative Ireland grants, bursaries, and commissions, totalling €156,250 in support of arts activities in the county.

Planning, Enterprise, and Economic Development

A new Heritage Conservation and Biodiversity unit was established, providing specialist advice and hosting events such as the County Kildare Heritage Seminar and Biodiversity Week.

The Athy Food, Drinks, and Agritech Hub secured over €5 million in funding to support the local food and drink sector and create employment opportunities.

The Local Enterprise Office partnered with Kildare Village to launch Gather, a showcase of local crafts and designs.

Business expansion and start-up grants totalling nearly €600,000 were awarded, with mentoring and training provided to numerous local businesses.

Innovation Initiatives

A dedicated Innovation Team was set up to promote new projects within the organisation.

Initiatives included training opportunities and a Call for Ideas initiative supported by a Local Innovation Fund.