elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 7: Social and Community Facilities
the period 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2008 and was adopted at the Council Meeting of the 21st
March 2005.
Roscommon County Council's Social Inclusion Unit is being developed in partnership with all sections of
the local authority. Its role will be to support and facilitate Social Inclusion activities and policies across
the entire range of local authority activities.
In line with a commitment in the National Partnership Agreement, the Programme for Prosperity and
Fairness (2000), social inclusion units were established on a pilot basis in seven local authorities - Cork,
Limerick and Waterford City Councils, and Louth, Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and South Dublin
County Councils for the period 2001 - 2005. These pilot units were placed on a permanent basis in 2006.
The National Partnership Agreement, 'Towards 2016' brought with it from the previous Agreement,
Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the social inclusion unit programme. On the 20th July, 2007,
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley announced the
extension of the social inclusion unit programme to nine more local authorities - Cavan, Donegal, Fingal,
Galway City and County, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon and South Tipperary.
By establishing a Social Inclusion Unit, Roscommon County Council aims to broaden the role of the
Council in tacking social exclusion and poverty in County Roscommon and to more fully integrate it into
the entire work of the organisation.
7.11 SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES STRATEGY
The Social and Community Facilities Strategy for Elphin aims to promote a wide range of existing and
new community facilities; including health, education, arts, culture and recreation to cater for the needs of
the growing population. The main policies and objectives for Social and Community Facilities are
outlined below.
Policies in relation to Social and Community Facilities
Policy 90
Policy 91
Policy 92
Policy 93
Policy 94
Policy 95
Consolidate the existing community facilities in Elphin and co-operate with the Statutory
Bodies responsible for the provision of additional social and community services and
facilities.
Facilitate social inclusion and access for all to community facilities.
Roscommon County Council endorses the need for the local community to plan and
provide a range of services and supports to enable Senior Citizens to maintain the optimal
level of health, independence and dignity.
Co-operate with the Health Service Executive and other statutory and voluntary agencies in
the provision of health, community, social facilities and services for the aged population.
Support local sports and community groups in the development of facilities through the
reservation of suitable land and the provision of funding where available and appropriate.
Facilitate the conversion of existing buildings to appropriate community uses, provided
that proposals do not adversely impact upon road safety and/or residential amenities.
Objectives in relation to Community Facilities
Objective 83
Objective 84
Objective 85
Facilitate the provision of a public playground in the Elphin.
Further extend and maintain the footpath network around the town in order to increase
pedestrian safety.
Ensure that new community facilities provide adequate off-street car parking.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 69