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While good progress has been made in restoring some of our systems, services around the country are continuing to see significant impacts and disruptions. Although essential services are continuing, our systems are not functioning as usual and patients may experience delays and in some cases cancellations. People can check updates on services that are affected on the HSE website service updates page.

Healthlink, which provides an interface between the HSE and the GP community, has had some functionality restored and GPs can now send information to the HSE on their vaccination progress, and other important services.

Medical card services have been significantly disrupted and our processes are slower as a result. As it’s not possible to register medical card applications online at the moment, we are asking people to send in postal applications. While we are processing emergency cards as quickly as possible, applications for non- emergency cards have been impacted. Call 1890 252 919 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) if you have any medical card queries. You can find more information here.

Visit HSE website service updates page for regularly updated information about service changes and follow our updates in the news and on HSE social media channels.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
For updates and information on each of the vaccine allocation groups, and when and where they’ll be invited for their vaccine, please visit www.hse.ie/rollout.

Register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Read the user guide for help with registering online.
If you cannot register online, you can call the COVID-19 helpline at Freephone: 1800 700 700 to register by phone.

The groups currently being vaccinated against COVID-19 are:
• people aged 65 years and older who live in long-term care facilities (Group 1)
• frontline healthcare workers (Group 2)
• people aged 70 and older living in the community (Group 3)
• people aged 16 to 69 who are at very high risk (Group 4)
• people aged 65 to 69, including those at high risk (Groups 5 and 6)
• people aged 16 to 64 who are at high risk (Group 7)

We are also vaccinating:
• pregnant women over 14 weeks – you can find more information here
• socially vulnerable adults
• people aged 40-69 who have registered for their vaccine.

Vaccine registration opened for people aged 35-39 from Sunday, 20th June
In order to help manage the vaccine registration process, we are asking people to register on a specific day:
• 20th June for 39 year olds
• 21st June for 38 year olds
• 22nd June for 37 year olds
• 23rd June for 36 year olds
• 24th June for 35 year olds

Pharmacies now offering Janssen vaccine
Many pharmacies are now offering the Janssen single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 50 or over who haven’t been vaccinated yet. Find a pharmacy to book your vaccine appointment here.

AstraZeneca vaccine second dose
The AstraZeneca vaccine is a two dose vaccine. Please attend for your second AstraZeneca dose when invited. This gives increased and longer lasting protection against COVID-19 including the Delta variant now circulating widely in the UK.

Anyone who received a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine should get their second dose 8 to 12 weeks after the first dose. If more than 12 weeks has passed since your first dose and you have not received your second dose, you can phone HSELive on 1800 700 700. You can read more here.

After you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you are vaccine protected
When your vaccine has had time to work, you can do some things that were not recommended before you were vaccinated. You can find more information here.

Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Information
We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:
• Check hse.ie/covid19vaccine for information about the vaccine, information on this page is updated regularly
• Find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on getting the COVID-19 vaccine is updated regularly here
• Details on COVID-19 vaccines administered are available here
• Read the full COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy
• Read the National Immunisation Advisory Committee Chapter about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine information for health professionals

Public Health Information
As always, for the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

Local communities and businesses urged to apply to additional €2.2m Transitional LEADER Programme
Operated by Longford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and its partners Longford
Community Resources (LCRL) and Longford County Council
Press Release
14 May 2021

The team behind the delivery of the LEADER Programme in Longford is encouraging local communities and businesses to consider applying for support from the additional €2.2 million fund for the County under the Transitional LEADER Programme for the period of 2021-2022. 
The LEADER programme is a funding mechanism that develops and supports private enterprises and community groups to improve quality of life and economic activity in rural areas. In Longford, the LEADER Programme is delivered by Longford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and its partners: Longford Community Resources (LCRL) and Longford County Council. 
A key focus of the Transitional LEADER Programme will be responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and building capacity within communities that have not received LEADER funding to date. The programme also:
– supports job creation
– fosters and encourages entrepreneurship
– supports projects that address the climate agenda, digital transformation and that encourage rural communities to build on their existing strengths and assets 
Commenting on the allocation of the LEADER funding, CEO of Longford Community Resources, Adrian Greene said; “LEADER will give our local communities and enterprises an opportunity to respond to the emerging challenges for their areas and will support measures that provide employment and job creation throughout County Longford.” 

At the end of 2020, Longford has fully committed its LEADER budget for the 2014-2020 programme with 119 projects approved to a value in excess of €5.7m and an overall investment of €9.3m in the County. Cllr Colm Murray, Chairperson of Longford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) – the Local Action Group responsible for approving projects, thanked everyone who was involved in the successful delivery of the programme. “On behalf of Longford LCDC, I am delighted that the LEADER Programme has been so successful in Longford. I would like to pay tribute to everyone who worked so hard to make the programme a success, particularly the members of the LCDC, the Independent Evaluation Committee, the members and staff of the financial partner Longford County Council and the members and staff of the implementing partner, Longford Community Resources Clg (LCRL)”. 

The 119 projects allocated LEADER funding since 2014 cover a wide variety of activity including enterprise,
job creation, tourism accommodation and amenities, community enhancement and environmental projects. 

Case Study – Abbeyview B&B, Abbeyshrule
Susan Egan of Abbeyview B&B, Abbeyshrule, successfully applied for and received LEADER funding to establish her bed and breakfast business on the outskirts of Abbeyshrule village. Susan, her husband and children have been living in the old barracks in Abbeyshrule, which is her family home. It was built in the mid1800’s for the son of a local mill owner George Eldon Coates. Susan recognised the niche market for an animal friendly B&B as the property, adjacent to the Royal Canal, is located in one of the counties recognised tourism destinations, the village of Abbeyshrule and is ideally located for cyclists, walkers and other tourists.

 

Susan approached LCRL with her project idea and began the process of applying to Longford LCDC for LEADER funding which culminated in a three double-bedroom bed and breakfast in a farmhouse environment. Visitors are welcome to have their pets along to stay in their rooms or alternatively be housed in a boarding kennel facility located on site. 

Susan commented “I believe that our business would not be the success it is today without the funding we received through this programme and the assistance of LCRL. We would not have been in a financial position to develop our B&B to the standard it now has without the funding, the connections and shared platform of knowledge that LCRL afforded us.” Susan is now in the process of expanding her accommodation offering with the addition of three self-contained Shepherd Huts with one being fully wheelchair accessible. She will be seeking LEADER funding to bring the project to fruition. 

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon acknowledged the role of everyone involved in the 119 successful projects over the life of the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme. “Longford County Council is delighted to be the financial partner for the LEADER Programme and we welcome this significant investment of €5.7m which is a great boost for communities and businesses throughout the county. It is particularly pleasing to note that almost 80% or €4.6m of the funding has been allocated to projects put forward by our local community and voluntary groups.” 

Case Study – Longford Gymnastics Club
One such group is Longford Gymnastics Club, the grassroots of which commenced in October 2017. It started initially through a Facebook post asking parents if there was a need or desire for a gymnastics club in Longford. The response to that post was overwhelmingly in favour, as people from County Longford have no option but to travel outside of the county to take part in gymnastic classes. Even then, that’s only if they are lucky enough to get a place. A committee was formed, and an online registration form launched to gauge how many classes the group would need to cater for. Over 900 children registered to take part in classes and the committee started fundraising for the project. The aims and objectives of the group are to foster, encourage and provide training/coaching for those with a keen interest in gymnastics in County Longford. 

At the outset, Longford Sports and Leisure Centre very kindly donated some equipment and Longford Sports
Partnership provided an allocation of €450 for coach training. The committee also decided to explore available funding opportunities identifying LEADER as the one that suited most. The group approached LCRL to make an application for funding towards conversion and renovation costs to make their warehouse premises suitable as a gymnastics training facility and for the purchase of gymnastic equipment. Longford Gymnastics Club was successful in its application to Longford LCDC and received grant aid of €91,395.21 towards the project. 

Barbara Smyth, Chairperson of Longford Gymnastics Club, said; “Longford Gymnastics Club was an aspiration and dream for us for two years. The funding received from Longford LCDC through the LEADER programme made that a reality, for us and the children of Longford, who absolutely love the sport of gymnastics. The guidance and mentoring we received from LCRL was simply amazing. They prepared us in every possible way to help us succeed with such an ambitious project. We will be forever grateful.” 

With the LEADER Programme 2014/2020 coming to an end and all of Longford’s funding allocated, the announcement of a Transitional Programme to provide funding for local communities and businesses until the commencement of the new LEADER Programme in 2023 has been broadly welcomed particularly in these challenging times. 

The Chairperson of Longford Community Resources, Pat O’Rourke, welcomed the additional funding commenting; “I wish to encourage local communities and businesses to make contact with Longford Community Resources to find out what LEADER has to offer. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups. The funding available will ensure that more vital locally-led projects in areas like climate 3 change, digital transformation, remote working and enterprise development can be progressed in rural communities throughout County Longford.”

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The vaccination programme continues to be rolled out nationwide. 

Over the coming weeks and months, everyone in Ireland who is eligible will be able to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine from the HSE. The vaccine is bringing hope to our communities, reducing infections, illness and deaths among people who are vaccinated. Over 1.6 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in Ireland and the more people who get vaccinated, the better it will be….for us all.

For updates and information on each of the vaccine allocation groups, and when and where they’ll be invited for their vaccine, please visit www.hse.ie/rollout.

Who can register today
We’re inviting people aged 56 to register today (Friday, 7th May).

If you’re aged 57-69 and you haven’t registered yet, please register for your COVID-19 vaccine online or on the phone.

Register online to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Read the user guide for help with registering online.
If you cannot register online, you can call the COVID-19 helpline at 1850 24 1850 to register by phone.

Who can register next
If you are aged:
• 55 – register on Saturday 8th May, or any time after.
• People aged 50 to 54 will be invited to register from Sunday 9th May.

We’re asking people to register on specific days to help us manage the demand. This will make it easier for everyone to register.

Groups currently being vaccinated
The groups currently being vaccinated against COVID-19 are:
• people aged 65 years and older who live in long-term care facilities (Group 1)
• frontline healthcare workers (Group 2)
• people aged 70 and older living in the community (Group 3)
• people aged 16 to 69 who are at very high risk (Group 4: 234,000 people at very high risk of severe COVID-19 due to an underlying condition have now received a first dose)
• people aged 65 to 69, including those at high risk (Groups 5 and 6)
• people aged 16 to 64 who are at high risk (Group 7)
You can read more about these vaccine allocation groups in the “Vaccination progress updates” section available here.

Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Information
We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the path information on the vaccine:
• Check hse.ie/covid19vaccine for information about the vaccine 
• Find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on getting the COVID-19 vaccine is updated regularly here

A video on the COVID-19 vaccination centres, and what to expect on the day of your vaccine, is available here.

How COVID-19 Vaccines Work video
A video on how COVID-19 Vaccines Work is available here.

 

Applications have opened for a €10 million fund designed to support community and voluntary groups, charities and social enterprises, which have suffered as a result of the pandemic.
 
The Covid Stability Fund 2021 was launched jointly today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Charities and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD.
 
The Fund is targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic. Priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received State support since the onset of the Pandemic.
 
Examples of the organisations that can apply include those that provide:
• Family supports and supports for the elderly
• Domestic Abuse and addiction services
• Mental health and disability supports
• Education supports in disadvantaged communities
• Community centres that provide social services
 
All of the application details can be found at https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/covid-19-cv-stability-fund-2021/
 

Separately, the Department intends to launch the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme over the coming days. That programme may be more relevant to smaller community groups and it is recommended that they monitor the Department’s website or stay in touch with their Local Community Development Committee, who will be administering the programme in their area, for further details.

A series of health & wellbeing podcasts have been produced for County Longford, this follows the similar launches in the neighbouring counties of Laois, Offaly & Westmeath. These podcasts capture a wide range of diverse and interesting conversations with a range of professional staff working across the Statutory and Community & Voluntary sector in the Midlands. Guests include John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison and Author. These through-provoking conversations give fascinating insights into the experience and knowledge gained by these staff working across communities.

An example of topics includes: It Takes a Village – the role communities can play in supporting the development of young people, Building a Brighter Future, Women in Farming, Building Resilience, Parenting, Men’s Health, The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Families & Children and Youth Mental Health. The podcasts are available on all main podcast apps, such as Podbean, Google Podcast and Spotify.

The podcasts have been created through a collaborative partnership with HSE Health Promotion & Improvement (Midlands Louth Meath CH0 8), HSE Resource Office of Suicide Prevention (Laois Offaly), Offaly Local Development Company, Laois Partnership Company, Westmeath Community Development and Longford Community Resources.

 For Longford Talks Podcasts, please visit: https://lcrl.ie/longford-talks/
 For Offaly Talks, please visit: https://www.offalyldc.ie/offaly-talks-podcasts
 For Laois Connects Podcasts, please visit: https://laoispartnership.ie/laois-connects-podcasts
 For Westmeath Talks Podcasts, please visit: https://www.westcd.ie/index.php/westmeath-talks

Commenting on the podcasts, Adrian Greene, CEO of Longford Community Resources, noted “This is a wonderful initiative and we are very grateful to Anthony O’Prey, HSE Health Promotion Officer (Mental Health Promotion) and his colleagues for this. Anthony approached us back in October after the successful launch of the podcasts in the neighbouring counties and we were delighted to get involved. Staff from our SICAP, Youth Service, Volunteer Centre and Rural Social Scheme projects all took part and were delighted to get the opportunity to share their insights and experience of working with communities and individuals in Longford. We hope that people will access and benefit from listening to the Longford Talks podcasts over the coming months.”

Applications are now open in relation to the 2021 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. If you are a community group and are interested in submitting an application in relation to Measure 1 (Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing), please contact Longford Community Resources at 043-3345555. Grant aid of 90% is available under Measure 1 to a maximum of €20,000.
 
This Scheme is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and supported by Fáilte Ireland. To date, ORIS has allocated funding of almost €68 million for 973 projects around the country.

Public Health Measures
Ireland continues at level 5 restrictions. You can find more information here.

Where to find COVID-19 Vaccination Information
We encourage everyone to read about the COVID-19 vaccine and to get their information from a factual, trusted source – here are the links to the pages with information on the vaccine:

• Check hse.ie/covid19vaccine for information about the vaccine, information on this page is updated regularly
• Find the vaccine information materials at www.hse.ie/covid19vaccinematerials
• Details on getting the COVID-19 vaccine is updated regularly here
• Details on COVID-19 vaccines administered are available here
• Read the full COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Strategy
• Read the National Immunisation Advisory Committee Chapter about COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine information for health professionals 

Public Health Information
For the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

You can find the COVID-19 A-Z information here from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Please also check the Healthy Ireland site here with further resources and information on the Keep Well campaign.

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

Longford Community Resources, a member of the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) has welcomed the announcement by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development and Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, of an increased allocation of €70 million nationally in 2021 and 2022 for the LEADER Programme. The ILDN represents the 35 Local Development Companies who deliver the LEADER Programme nationally.

 

Welcoming the announcement, Adrian Greene, CEO of Longford Community Resources said; “Longford Community Resources and the ILDN have been calling recently for the Government to utilise funding available from the EU for Rural Development, for the purposes of LEADER. As the implementers of the LEADER Programme in County Longford we are greatly encouraged by today’s announcement of an increased allocation of €70 million nationally to the end of 2022.”

 

“The LEADER Programme offers the ideal vehicle for the delivery of development funding to rural areas in the most effective manner. The allocation of this increased funding will deliver critical stimulus to rural areas to help drive the post Covid recovery. Furthermore, the funding announced today will ensure that more vital projects in County Longford focused on climate change, digital transformation, remote working and enterprise development can be progressed in our rural communities to meet the expectations of the EU in terms of the requirements of its recovery funding criteria.”

Below is a list of training that will be held during the month of March for small businesses. This training is organised by Longford’s Local Enterprise Office.

• Digital marketing plan for your business. The course takes place online over 3 hours on Thursday, 4^th March, 2021 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. You can register now at the following link – https://bit.ly/3cYjsKN

 

• How to advertise on Facebook and Instagram. The course takes place online over 3 hours on Thursday, 11^th March, 2021 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. You can register now at the following link – https://bit.ly/3tKStIt

 

• A Beginner’s Guide to Using Instagram to Market Your Business.  The course takes place online over 3 hours on Thursday, 18^th March, 2021 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. You can register now at the following link – https://bit.ly/3qhjOQA

 

• How to create marketing videos on a budget to promote your business.  The course takes place online over 3 hours on Thursday, 25^th March, 2021 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. You can register now at the following link – https://bit.ly/2Z5VXXZ

 

The trainer will be Evan Mangan from The Marketing Crowd. There will be limited availability so early booking is advisable.