Kilkenny Local Authorities adopts a pro-active and flexible approach in meeting the challenges of providing accommodation for those in need and assisting other who can afford it, by obtaining their own accommodation.

Kilkenny Local Authorities actively promotes all housing schemes available in the interest of providing housing accommodation, social integration and putting in place measures to sustain communities.

Affordable Housing

Fifteen houses were sold as Affordable units throughout the County at the following locations:

A total of €1,827,800 was paid out on 12 Affordable Housing Loans.

Capital Investment Programme

An allocation of €17.5 million was received from the Department in 2009. This allocation was provided to Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council for the provision of Social Housing.

22 New houses were completed by Kilkenny Local Authorities at: Fr Albert Place, Kilkenny City (12), Ossory Park, Kilkenny City (8) and Turfmarket, Graiguenamanagh (2)

Houses at Fr. Albert Place.

91 New houses/apartments were provided through Part V/Purchases at:

There were 94 casual vacancies during 2009

Approx 88 Houses are under construction at 31/12/2009 through the local authority's own construction programme and Part V developments.

Estate Management & Community Development

• Liaison with Community Committees delivery of training and increase of committees to 73.
• Promotion of affiliation to Community and Voluntary Forum and Group Insurance Scheme.
• €129,000 approximately allocated to estate management grant funding, supply of gardening equipment, landscaping projects, plants and gardening materials, minor refurbishment on estates, installation of fencing.
• Participation by 5 Estate cluster groups from Graiguenamanagh in National Pride of Place Competition.
• Development of Community Gardens at Newpark Close and Hebron Park to provide training in conjunction with County Kilkenny Leader Partnership.
• Hebron Park Community House - The Happe House opened in April 2009, offering a varied number of supports to the community - mother/toddler group, information service, drug counselling etc.
• Sustainable Communities Fund scheme expenditure of €47,861 - Pre-Development support for residents at St. Catherine's Halting Site, Wetlands and Equality and Diversity training and seminars for staff of City and County Council.

Hebron Park Community House

Homeless Assistance

Kilkenny Homeless Action Team (KHAT), an interagency team comprising of statutory and non-governmental agency representatives meets weekly to discuss and agree service provision to homeless persons presenting to any of the participating organizations. The representative agencies are: Kilkenny Local Authorities; HSE South Kilkenny Womens Refuge; Good Shepherd Centre and Focus Ireland.

The new National Homeless Strategy - The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013 published in 2008 has provided the framework in relation to policy and service development. "An implementation Plan - Priority Actions" document was received in 2009. The Housing Act, 2009 places a statutory obligation on local authorities to have a Homeless Action Plan in place This will be on a regional basis and Waterford City has been designated as the lead authority for the South East. The Regional Homeless Forum will provide an Action Plan for adoption in 2010 by all participating local authorities.

Housing Adaptation Grants

Seven (7) Disabled Person Grants were paid out to disabled people to assist them in undertaking necessary renovation works to meet their needs in their homes. Total expenditure was €107,942 - This Scheme is now closed.

Two (2) Essential Repair Grants were paid to elderly people to assist them with essential repairs in their homes. Total expenditure was €6,400. This Scheme is now closed.

Nine (9) Mobility Aids Grants were paid out in 2009 to assist people with stairlifts and minor bathroom modifications. Total expenditure was €40,025.

Thirty three (33) Housing Aid for the Elderly grants were paid out to assist people with emergency roof repairs and electrical works. Total expenditure was €223,288.

Thirty six (36) Housing Adaptation Grants were paid out in 2009 to assist people with adaptations and extensions to their properties. Total expenditure was €590,947.

Three (3) new house grants were paid in 2009 to assist families who were building new houses to suit the needs of a disabled person. Total expenditure was €39,900.

Housing Loans

1 Home Choice Loan was paid out in 2009.

2 Shared Ownership loans and 2 Annuity loans were paid out in 2009.

2 House Improvement loan was paid out in 2009.

A total of €855,450 was paid out on Housing Loans.

Housing Support Services

Kilkenny Local Authorities engages the services of Focus Ireland to provide an Outreach/Tenancy Sustainment service. This service will be provided to clients leaving the Homeless services and moving to independent living. It will also be available to tenants who are at risk of losing their tenancy due to a number of reasons. The service is 90% funded by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government. The service continued throughout 2009.

Private Rented Sector

Under the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 registration of tenancies in private rented accommodation is now being operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). All Landlords must register each tenant in their respective rented accommodation at a cost of €70 per tenancy.

Kilkenny County Council has responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations under the Housing Acts relating to rent books and standards of private rented accommodation. The Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations, 2008, came into effect on 1^st February, 2009. The Council carried out 141 inspections on private rented accommodation during 2009.

Kilkenny County Council administers the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). This scheme applies to people who are in receipt of rent supplement usually for more that 18 months and who are in need of long term housing. The Council assessed 172 people for the Scheme in 2009 and transferred 106 tenancies to RAS during 2009.

Long Term Leasing Initiative was introduced by the Government during 2009. This initiative will provide accommodation for approved social applicants from the private sector. Housing units will be leased for a maximum period of 20 years from Developers or individuals by the Local Authority or Voluntary Housing Association. The responsibility for the appointment of tenants and for management of the units will the local authority's or the Housing Association.

Travellers

The Annual Count of Traveller Families was carried out on 27^th November 2009. The total number of Traveller families in the functional area of Kilkenny Local Authorities is 137. There has been an increase of 33% in the number of traveller families living in Co. Kilkenny since 2004, and a significant number of families living in the private rented sector.

11 offers of local authority accommodation were made during 2009 and only 4 families accepted the accommodation.

The Traveller Accommodation Programme 2009-2013 was adopted by Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council in the first quarter of 2009. The Programme outlined the key strategies for the provision of accommodation over the next 5 years within the County. Standard housing continues to be the preferred option for many young traveller families. Support is provided in the transition to permanent accommodation.

Kilkenny Local Authorities continue to support a number of additional services to the Traveller Community, and in 2009 we continued to improve facilities at St. Catherine's Halting Site such as the refurbishment of the service units on the individual bays; the afterschools/creche facility and the provision of a designated play area for the pre-school children.

Voluntary Housing Scheme

Thirteen units of accommodation were completed in 2009 by Voluntary Housing Associations at Danesfort - (6) and Kilkenny City - S.O.S. (7).

Image shows Voluntary Housing at St. Fiacre's Place, Kilkenny

Housing Highlights

• 220 units of accommodation were provided by Kilkenny Local Authorities for social housing applicants.
• 17 Housing loans were advanced in 2009.
• 90 Housing grants were paid in 2009.

Affordable Housing

• 10 houses were sold as affordable at Parcnagowan, Waterford Road , Kilkenny.
• A total of €1,127,000 was advanced for loans on these houses.

Community Development / Tennant Participation

• Refurbishment work at Newpark Close including external cleaning works at Newpark Resource Centre and painting of boundary wall facing onto green area.
• Annual clean up of some local authority estates which included provision of bin tags, black sacks, paper pickers and bulky waste collection.
• Pre-development work with the Travelling Community in relation to recycling.
• Pre-Tenancy Course held with all new tenants of Council dwellings before occupation.
• Ongoing consultation with Residents Associations.
• Assistance provided for official opening of playground at Garringreen.

Grants

• 47 Disabled Persons Grants were paid out to disabled persons to assist them in undertaking necessary renovation works. Total Expenditure: €571,000.
• 15 Essential Repairs Grants were paid to elderly persons to assist them with essential repairs to their dwelling: Total Expenditure €42,600.

Homeless Assistance

• A total of €273,468.95 was expended on accommodation for homeless persons.
• Funding was provided to;
  • The Good Shepherd Centre which provides accommodation for homeless men.
  • The Women's Refuge Centre for support and accommodation to women and children rendered homeless as a result of domestic violence.

Housing and Accommodation

Kilkenny County Council adopts a pro-active and flexible approach in meeting the challenge of providing accommodation for those in need and assisting others who can afford it, to obtain their own accommodation.

Kilkenny County Council actively promotes all schemes available in the interest of providing housing accommodation to its customers.

Housing Construction / Acquistion Programme

• 36 New houses were completed and allocated at: Glenmore (10), Bennettsbridge (10), Moneenroe (8), Johnstown (4), Freshford (2) and Rurals (2).
• 104 houses (part of the Housing Construction Programme and Part V) were under construction at 31 st December 2005 .
• There were 39 casual vacancies during 2005.
• Kilkenny County Council purchased properties on the open market for allocation - 10 sales were finalised at end of 2005. These properties are all occupied.
• 2 rural cottages were constructed and allocated to families on housing waiting list.
• Renovation works were undertaken on 1 private dwelling under the Improvement Works in Lieu of Housing Scheme (Florence Terrace).
• 2 local authority houses were extended under the Extensions Programme (Dangan Terrace & Sheepstown).

Housing Loans

• 17 Shared Ownership loans and 6 annuity loans were paid in 2005.
• 8 house improvement loans were paid out in 2005.
• 11 tenants purchased their homes under the Tenant Purchase Scheme with 5 availing of loans from Kilkenny County Council.
• A total of €3,160,000 was paid out on housing loans.

Private Rented Sector

Under the new Residential Tenancies Act 2004 Registration of tenancies in private rented accommodation is now being operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). All Landlords must register each tenant in their respective rented accommodation at a cost of €70 per tenancy - renewable only if there is a change of tenant.

Kilkenny County Council will continue to have responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations under the Housing Acts relating to rent books and standards of private rental accommodation.

Kilkenny County Council recouped €5,291 from the Department of Environment for 2005 and recoupment in the future will be based on the number of registrations with the PRTB relating to the Council functional area.

Voluntary Housing Scheme

• 4 projects were completed under The Capital Assistance Scheme, consisting of; 14 units at St. Mary's Kilkenny, 8 units at Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny, 5 units in Hugginstown, and 2 units in Ferrybank.
• 1 project is under construction at Callan and a further 2 projects received approval to proceed at Ballyhale and Moneenroe.
• Total expenditure in 2005 was €2,400,000.

Housing Highlights

• 87 new families were housed by Kilkenny County Council.
• 46 housing loans were advanced in 2005 which included home improvement loans.
• 62 housing grants were paid in 2005.

Houses Constructed at Ard Aoibheann, Inistioge

Kilkenny County Council actively promotes all schemes available in the interest of providing housing accommodation to it's customers.

Affordable Housing

• The affordable housing scheme at St. Kierans Crescent was completed in 2003. The overall project consisted of 83 houses and the final 15 houses were sold in 2003.
• A housing scheme commenced in Graignamanagh in 2003 of four dwellings which will be sold as affordable.

Grants

• 47 Disabled Persons Grants were paid out to disabled persons to assist them in undertaking necessary renovation works.
• 31 essential repairs grants were paid to elderly persons to assist them with essential repairs to their dwelling.
• Annual clean up of twelve local authority estates which included provision of bin tags, sacks etc.
• A pilot project promoting bulky items collection was carried out in Bishop Birch Place and Newpark Close. This project is essential to good estate management.
• Resident groups in Callan were assisted with tree planting.
• An Estate Management Training Day was held in Hebron Park and Bishop Birch Place to inform residents of the role of Kilkenny County Council.
• A Community Centre is planned for Bishop Birch Place and the drawing were agreed with residents.
• Landscaping and cleaning works were carried out in Newtown Terrace, Thomastown, Church Avenue/Kilkenny Road, Castlecomer; Brndaon Park/Woodland Estate, Graignamanagh; Edmund Rice Estate/Collins Park, Callan. Emerald Gardens & St. Marys Avenue, Urlingford were also supported in the purchase of a lawnmower.
• Management Training was commenced in Castlegardens, Ballyragget and Fr. Raftice Place, Moneenroe.

Homeless Assistance

• A total of €274,040 was expended on accommodation for homeless persons.
• A total of €792,236 was paid and recouped in full for the accommodation of Asylum Seekers.
• The Good Shepherd Centre which is funded by the Council provided accommodation for homeless men during the year and the Womens Refuge Centre provided support and accommodation to women and children rendered homeless as a result of domestic violence.

Housing Construction / Acquistion Programme

• Schemes were completed and allocated at: Mooncoin (11), Slieverue (10), Johnstown (6) and Coon (3).
• There was 47 casual vacancies during 2003.
• One house was purchased on the open market for allocation.
• 99 houses were commenced on site under the Housing Construction Programme of which 74 remain under construction at 31st December, 2003.
• 4 Rural cottages were constructed and allocated to families on the housing waiting list.
• Renovation works were undertaken on 4 private dwellings under the Improvement Works in Lieu of Housing Scheme.
• 5 local authority houses were extended under the Extensions Programme.

Housing Loans

• In 2003, 52 Shared Ownership loans were paid while 9 annuity loans were paid.
• A total of 13 house improvement loans were paid out during 2003.
• 20 tenants purchased their homes under the Tenant Purchase Scheme with loans from Kilkenny County Council.
• A total of €10.5 million expenditure was incurred in loans of which €1.6 million was in respect of affordable housing.

Housing-Service Indicators

• 11 houses vacant at 31st December, 2003.
• 47 casual vacancies during 2003.
• 14 houses available for letting after minor repairs.
• Average time taken to relet a dwelling: 9 days.
• 33 houses required major improvements eg. heating, replacement of windows & doors and redecoration. Average time taken to relet a dwelling: 5 months.

Private Rented Sector

• A total of 302 dwellings were registered with the Council as being privately rented and were entered in the register which is available for public inspection.
• The annual registration fee is €50.79 and a total of €15,328 was collected.

Voluntary Housing Scheme

• 2 projects consisting of 15 units of accommodation for the disabled were completed at Callan (7) and Kilkenny (8). Total expenditure incurred in 2003 for this sector was €1,800,000 (including projects under construction in 2003).
• A scheme of 18 family type units by Cluid Voluntary Housing Association was completed in Callan. This Scheme was officially opened in October, 2003.

Housing Highlights

• 351 families assisted by the Housing Department under the various options of the Plan for Social Housing.
• 81 housing loans advanced.
• 78 housing grants were paid.
• 3 travelling families housed.
• 53 tenants purchased their dwelling under Tenant Purchase Scheme.

Affordable Housing

Forty two [42] houses were sold as Affordable units throughout the County at the following locations:

A total of €2,073,825 was paid out on 12 Affordable Housing Loans.

Affordable Housing at Kingscourt, Callan

Capital Investment Programme

An allocation of €21 million was received from the Department in 2008. This is the highest allocation ever received by Kilkenny County Council for the provision of Social Housing.

71 New houses were completed by Kilkenny County Council at:

39 New houses/apartments were provided through Part V at:

Approx 128 Houses are under construction at 31/12/2008 through the Council's own construction programme and Part V developments.

There were 52 casual vacancies during 2008.

Estate Management & Community Development

• Liaison with Community Committees (123 hours), delivery of training and increase of committees to 69.
• Expenditure of Estate Enhancement Funding, Estate Management Budget on RAPID designated estates and local authority estates across the City and County, and liaison on expenditure of Local Authority grant funding.
• Local Authority Tidy Estates Competition.
• 3nd Annual Estate Management Conference held on November, 20th, 2008. Theme of conference, Interculturalism & Diversity.
• Promotion of affiliation to Community and Voluntary Forum and Group Insurance Scheme.
• €126,000 approximately allocated to estate management grant funding, supply of gardening equipment, landscaping projects, plants and gardening materials, minor refurbishment on estates, installation of fencing.
• Extension of Hebron Park Community House - The Happe House is due to be completed in 2009.
• Under Sustainable Communities Fund scheme expenditure of €49,798  for community committee training, Pre-Development support for residents at St. Catherine's Halting Site, Wetlands and Equality and Diversity training and seminars for staff of City and County Council.
• Tenancy Support - Sudanese Families resettled under UNHCR Refugees Programme.

Homeless Assistance

Kilkenny Homeless Action Team (KHAT), an interagency team comprising of statutory and non-governmental agency representatives meets weekly to discuss and agree service provision to homeless persons presenting to any of the participating organizations. The representative agencies are: Kilkenny Local Authorities, HSE South, Kilkenny Womens Refuge, Good Shepherd Centre and Focus Ireland.

Presentations by the HAT have been made to the County Development Board and to the medical staff of the Dept. of Psychiatry in 2008.

The publication of the new National Homeless Strategy - "The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013" in August 2008 will bring further challenges to homeless service provision in Kilkenny, with KHAT, the Homeless Services Providers Group and The Homeless Forum working together in relation to policy and service development.

In 2008 a total of 169 individuals/families were offered assistance by Kilkenny Local Authorities Homeless Services.

Housing Adaptation Grants

Forty three (43) Disabled Person Grants were paid out to disabled people to assist them in undertaking necessary renovation works to meet their needs in their homes. Total expenditure was €534,525

Thirteen (13) Essential Repair Grants were paid to elderly people to assist them with essential repairs in their homes. Total expenditure was €36,971.

A new Housing Adaptation Scheme was introduced by the Department from 1st November 2007.

Three(3) Mobility Aids Grants were paid out in 2008. Total expenditure was €11,146.

Thirty one (31) Housing Aid for the Elderly grants were paid out. Total expenditure was €236,442.

Ten (10) Housing Adaptation Grants were paid out in 2008. Total expenditure was €124,061.00.

Housing and Accommodation

Kilkenny County Council adopts a pro-active and flexible approach in meeting the challenges of providing accommodation for those in need and assisting other who can afford it, by obtaining their own accommodation.

Kilkenny County Council actively promotes all housing schemes available in the interest of providing housing accommodation, social integration and putting in place measures to sustain communities.

Housing Loans

6 Shared Ownership loans and four Annuity loans were paid out in 2008.

4 House Improvement loan was paid out in 2008.

8 tenants purchased their homes under the Tenant Purchase Scheme with one availing of a loan from Kilkenny County Council.

A total of €1,242,751 was paid out on Housing Loans.

Housing Support Services

Kilkenny County Council engages the services of Focus Ireland to provide an Outreach/Tenancy Sustainment service. This service will be provided to clients leaving the Homeless services and moving to independent living. It will also be available to tenants who are at risk of losing their tenancy due to a number of reasons. The service is 90% funded by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government. The service commenced in the summer of 2007 and continued throughout 2008.

Private Rented Sector

Under the Private Residential Tenancies Act 2004 registration of tenancies in private rented accommodation is now being operated by the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB). All Landlords must register each tenant in their respective rented accommodation at a cost of €70 per tenancy.

Kilkenny County Council has responsibility for the enforcement of the Regulations under the Housing Acts relating to rent books and standards of private rented accommodation. The Council carried out 57 inspections on private rented accommodation during 2008.

Kilkenny County Council administers the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS).  This scheme applies to people who are in receipt of rent supplement usually for more that 18 months and who are in need of long term housing. The Council assessed 132 people for the Scheme in 2008 and transferred 84 tenancies to RAS during 2008.

Travellers

The Annual Count of Traveller Families carried out in November 2008 indicates that the total number of Traveller families in the functional area of Kilkenny Local Authorities is 122.

"The Traveller Accommodation Programme 2005 - 2008" completed it's timeframe in December 2008, with significant progress made in achieving the targets set out in the programme - 35 families to be provided with permanent accommodation. From a total of 40 offers of accommodation made to Traveller families within the lifetime of the programme, 26 families were provided with permanent accommodation.

17 families were offered assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Scheme (Rent Allowance for Private Rented Accommodation), while 7 families were assisted with a loan under Section 25 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 for the purchase of a caravan.

"The Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme 2009-2013" was prepared during 2008 and will be submitted to the Members for adoption in 2009.

Kilkenny Local Authorities continue to support a number of additional services to the Traveller Community, and in 2008 facilities were improved on St. Catherine's Halting Site to include refurbishment of the service units on the individual bays; the afterschools / creche facility and the provision of a designated play area for the pre-school children.

Voluntary Housing Scheme

Thirty four [34] units of accommodation were completed in 2008 by Voluntary Housing Associations at Callan (7) and Kilkenny City (27).

Two projects are under construction at the 31/12/2008 at the following locations;

• Danesfort - Danesfort Voluntary Housing - 6 units
• Kilkenny City - SOS - 7 units

Moneenroe Voluntary Housing

Housing Highlights

• 162 Families were housed by Kilkenny County Council in 2008.
• 27 Housing loans were advanced in 2008.
• 100 Housing grants were paid in 2008.

Social Housing at Polerone Green, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny

The Housing function incorporates a wide range of services for applicants and tenants in both Kilkenny City & County to facilitate and support the provision of independent and supported accommodation. This is achieved by offering a variety of 'social housing supports' by the Housing Authorities, Voluntary and private sector.

The Core Housing Services being delivered under Shared County Council / Borough Council arrangements are;

Housing Policy

The Housing SPC met on four occasions to deal with policy changes some of which related to the commencement of section 20 Housing [Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.

This resulted in a standardised approach nationally to housing assessment. It introduced the concept of social housing supports and a common application form.

Rental Accommodation Scheme [RAS] & Leasing

• Allocation of €2.4m expended in full.
• 153 applicants accommodated under RAS in 2011
• 530 RAS interviews arranged in 2011
• A total of 5 units were secured under leasing in Kilkenny during 2011

Voluntary Housing Programme

• €1.4ml allocation in 2011 to construct 15 units at Nuncio Road by S.O.S.
• €263,500 additional allocation to provide 2 additional units by KASHMA.
• The following units were completed in 2011 under the 'Special Call' programme;

Homeless Services

The Good Shepherd Centre, Amber Women's Refuge and FOCUS Ireland provided sheltered accommodation and support services for the homeless.

Social Housing Investment Programme [SHIP]

Kilkenny Local Authorities secured 3.5ml and successfully expended its allocation on the completion of 31 units and Community Centre in Ossory Park along with the commencement of works on 27 units in Rosehill, Kells Road.

An additional allocation €1m was secured at year end to acquire 7 units of accommodation into stock.

Referrals to KLA

• 171 Homeless Referrals
• 33 Potentially Homeless Referrals
• 76 Housing Welfare Referrals
• Kilkenny Homeless Action Team (KHAT), an interagency team comprising of statutory and non-governmental agency representatives met weekly.

Traveller Accommodation Programme

• Traveller Accommodation Programme 2009 - 2013 reviewed
• 11 units of accommodation provided to Traveller families
• The total number of Traveller families in the local authority area on the date of the national count was 155, no increase on the previous year.
• Suitable lands were identified to advance the Horse project in 2011.

Maintaining Housing Stock

• Both Housing Maintenance crews were amalgamated in March 2011 - Shared Services
• Budget expended in full on combined stock of 2,166 houses
• Void Management - 26 long term void units completed in 2011
• 30 units completed under the 'improvement works/retrofit/energy' programme
• On average 3.5% housing stock is vacant at any one time

Assessment of Needs

• 3,118 applicants on Housing List
• 63% of applicants want to live in Kilkenny City & Environs
• 90% of applicants seeking social housing supports for financial reasons
• 1,186 Housing Need Assessment Appointments were made for applicants in 2011
• 30 casual vacancies
• 72 new lettings with 122 additional lettings under RAS
• 20 Offers of transfer of accommodation were made in 2011

Housing Loans

• 56 applications for loans made in 2011 totaling €2,517,800
• House prices dropped between 42% and 50%
• 13 Annuity Loans issued to value of b1,613,200
• 2 houses sold under the Affordable Housing Scheme
• 4 Reconstruction Loans issued valued at €117,600
• 101 Applications received under Tenant Purchase Scheme
• All loans vetted by the Housing & Sustainable Communities Agency and in house team

Housing Grants

• €1.8ml allocation expended in full with further allocation of €642,249 received in late 2011 to deal with increasing number of allocations.
• 409 applications approved in 2011
• 373 applications paid out totaling €2,633,939, €526,783 [20%] paid by Council with the balance grant aided from Department
• Panel of contractors set up to assist elderly
• 3 meetings held by Housing Action Group set up under the Age Friendly County Programme

Community & Estate Management Services

• €10,000 support for Local Authority Tidy Estates Competition. Estate Management Grants totaled €30,000. Grant aid the supply of gardening equipment, landscaping projects, plants and gardening materials, minor refurbishment on estates, installation of fencing
• Kilkenny County Council supported 80 community and estate management committees in 2011.
• Ossory Park Residents Association set up following completion of 32 units and Community facilities
• 83, Newpark Close designated as a community facility for the Newpark Residents
• Consultation with Newpark Residents and Family Resource Centre for the demolition of units and provision of recreational/amenity space in Newpark Close
• Completion of regeneration works in Newpark Close
• Completion of Remembrance Gardens in Hebron Park and Newpark Close funded by FAS Local Training Initiative
• Provision of outdoor gym facilities/equipment at the Butts, Kilkenny funded by Sports Capital monies
• Over 100 complaints dealt with by the Anti Social Behaviour Officer
• Promotion of affiliation to Community and Voluntary Forum and Group Insurance Scheme
• Sustainable Communities Fund scheme - Pre-Development support for residents at St. Catherine's Halting Site, Wetlands

Private Rented Accommodation

• The Council carried out 390 rental standard inspections on private rented accommodation during 2011