Irish Bioenergy Association – 10th National Bioenergy Conference

BioEnergy  – Delivering for the Irish Economy

17th February 2010, Heritage Hotel and Conference Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois

What Can BioEnergy Deliver for the Irish Economy?

The Irish BioEnergy Association will explore this question with an expert panel of economists, policy makers and industry representatives. BioEnergy is a thriving industry across Europe, and one that Ireland has begun to embrace. In challenging times it is vital to exploit opportunities for job creation, fuel cost savings, enhancing Ireland’s trade balance and in increasing economic activity on the island.

- BioEnergy is expected to create 8,000 jobs by 2020

- 80% of what is spent on bioenergy stays within 50 miles of the customer. 80%+ of what is spent on fossil fuels leaves the country – over €6 Billion every year

It is well recognised that bioenergy holds the best potential to reduce Ireland’s dependency on fossil fuels for heating, as well as providing an excellent source of road fuels and renewable electricity. It is government policy to reduce Ireland’s dependence on imported fuel (85% of primary energy demand) and replace it with renewable sources of fuel. Bioenergy is an imbedded industry providing local jobs and ensuring revenue stays within the economy.

For further information, bookings or trade stands contact Teresa O’Brien 052 6126574.

For conference details, click here…….. www.irbea.org

The board of Laois Partnership has contracted Exodea Europe Consulting to host think tank workshops on the essential elements of vibrant rural communities and to develop a Model for Resilient Communities as an outcome of the project.

An innovative consultative process has been designed to provide the opportunities for four communities to identify the essential elements that would create vibrant rural places to live. Each of the four communities selected will receive a ‘community map’ and a report with recommendations for actions. It is hoped that Laois Partnership will grant aid some of the actions that have been recommended in the four reports.

The success of this project will depend on the quality of our consultation process and on the input of a cross-section of the community – including business, volunteers, social and tourism representatives.  The first stage of the consultation process will involve a meeting of key contacts in each area.

The first consultative meeting will take place in Portarlington Community Centre on Monday, 28^th June at 7.30pm. The second one will take place in St Anne’s Hall Ballylinan at 8pm on Tuesday 6^th July. Please contact 057-8661900 or orla@laoispartnership.ie to book your place.

Listen out for Laois Partnership Company who will be featuring on Jim O’Brien’s Fresh Ground Show on Midlands FM103 radio each Monday evening.  Representatives from the different Partner Companies in Laois, Offaly and Westmeath will be on hand to talk about a wide range of projects ranging from initiatives in renewable energy to job support and training initiatives.   Tune in at 7.00 p.m. each Monday until 5th July to hear more!  To tune in go to this website www.midlands103.com

Josie Sutton presenting FETAC award to Siobhan O'Shea

Over 100 students were presented with their FETAC awards by Laois Partnership Company last week. 124 students received 155 awards in total at the awards night in Portlaois on Wed 14th April. Recipients received the awards in 13 courses ranging from IT skills to horticulture in FETAC levels three to five.

To see all the photos from the night click here…..

To read the press release click here…..

For more information on FETAC courses scheduled to be delivered by Laois Partnership over the coming year click here….

MOUNTMELLICK ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP (MEG), in conjunction with LAOIS PARTNERSHIP,  presents the:

Community Sustainability Course. Download flyer here…….

• Understand the social, environmental and economic issues of peak oil and climate change.

• Develop a range of practical skills for appropriate community responses.

• Find ways to cut down on your energy costs

• Participate in group discussions and have your voice heard

• Participate in group discussions and have your voice heard.

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Our “Start your own Tourism Business Course” is now well underway and 12  participants are busy honing and shaping their business ideas. The group recently went on a field trip to the award winning Causey Farm in Kells, Co Meath.  This  family run business is successfully integrating  tourism and educational programs with mainstream farming and provided an informative and enjoyable day out for the group.

Aimed at leaders in youth clubs, foróige clubs, macra na feirme, camps, club’s etc., this certified course will take place on Friday 23^rd of April 7pm – 10pm, Saturday 24^th of April 10am – 3.30pm at the Portlaoise Parish Centre.

Places are limited to 20 and the cost of the course (subsidised by the LSP) is €25 per participant.

For further details/enrolment please contact: Laois Sports Partnership (057) 86 71248

or email: info@laoissports.ie.       Download course details here…..

For more details on community development initiatives click here………

Ray Dunne and Helen Gee

Bernadine Mulhall

OVER 80 potential entrepreneurs attended our workshop last Thursday night.
Laois Partnership chief executive Anne Goodwin opened the seminar by welcoming three Laois-based entrepreneurs: Ray Dunne (Quarrymount Free Range Meats), Helen Gee (G’s Jams) and Bernadine Mulhall (Coolanowle Country House).

She said: “We are delighted to open this rural business workshop with presentations from three entrepreneurs with such high national profiles. Ray, Helen and Bernadine are each examples of innovative farm diversification projects which we funded under the Leader+ programme, now known as the rural development programme.”                                                        

Peter Young, Paul McCarthy & Mark Clancy

Anne Goodwin and Paddy Buggy

RTÉ’s Higher Ground mentors Peter Young and Paul McCarthy gave their insights on the success factors when developing innovative rural business ideas. They have created an eight-series TV programme on the common and costly pitfalls associated with starting a business.

John & Katie Dunne, Orla Mulligan

Project officer Mark Clancy outlined the grants and other supports that are available from Laois Partnership, including details of two courses beginning next month for those looking to start or develop their own food or tourism enterprises.

If  this event has whetted your appetite then why not enrol on one of our upcoming training courses which will guide your through the process of establishing and developing a food or tourism business.

Food Business Startup Course - Starting 18th March 2010

Tourism Business Startup Course - Starting 8th March 2010

Laois Partnership will be running two new Training Programmes in March:  Food Enterprise Development and Tourism Enterprise Development.  Each training Programme will be run over 6 evening sessions and will also include site visits to Laois-based businesses who are successfully operating within these sectors.

Food Business Startup Course – Starting 18th March 2010 - Course Details – Course Application Form

Tourism Business Startup Course - Starting 8th March 2010 - Course Details - Course Application Form

To find out more details or to request an application form get in touch with  Laois Partnership – places are limited.

‘Converting your idea into a successful business’ is the theme of an upcoming Laois Partnership workshop designed to meet the needs of individuals thinking about setting up or developing an existing  business.

Paul McCarthy (Teagasc) and Peter Young (Irish Farmers’ Journal) from RTE’s Higher Ground programme will be on hand to share their unique insight and to give practical advice and encouragement to budding rural entrepreneurs.

Some successful local businesspeople will also speak about their experiences in starting out and staff from Laois Partnership will be there to outline the supports and grants that are available for new enterprises.

The evening event will take place at the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise on Thu 18th February at 7:30pm. Please get in touch with Laois Partnership on 057 8661900 to book a place.