Minister Gormley Officially Opens Limerick County Council Offices & Library Headquarters

The state of the art building accommodates six key local authority services, which were previously based at separate locations throughout County Limerick.

They include the Mid West National Road Design Office, Motor Taxation Office, Regional Waste Management Office, Environment Laboratory and new Limerick County Library Headquarters, which is complemented by one of Ireland’s most comprehensive local studies centres.

Speaking at today’s official opening ceremony, Councillor Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, welcomed the relocation of six separate services to one central location.

"Limerick County Council is acutely aware of the need to deliver a modern and comprehensive system of local government. Services must be accessible and responsive to the changing needs of the people they serve, as typified by what has occurred at Lissanalta House", he added.

One of the outstanding features of the new building designed by local architects Healy & Partners, is the promotion of modern energy design solutions. Numerous environmentally friendly installations have been incorporated including solar panels that provide 70% of domestic hot water to the building, high levels of fabric insulation that reduce energy consumption and natural ventilation to all offices.

Already, the building has won a National Award from Gypsum Industries for the innovative use of plasterboard in ceiling design. Meanwhile, the Council has confirmed that up to 15% of the buildings’ total electricity needs will be generated by a Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric power system, to be installed over the coming weeks.

Commenting on the new facility, Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager, stated, "Limerick County Council is committed to meeting the needs and expectations of citizens and the business community. By centralising six principal services, the Council has established a one-stop shop for its customers in these key service areas."

He continued, "County Limerick is now fortunate to have what must be one of the most modern and technically best-equipped library headquarters in the country. This 45,000 sq ft development is not only a significant moment for the Council, but a milestone in the delivery of public services in this county."

Supporting County Limerick’s 25 Branch Library network and 116 primary schools, the Library Headquarters also features a Limerick Studies department that provides access to the county’s historical and archival records.

"As our society modernises and develops, we acquire an increased sense of our past and where we came from", explained Damien Brady, Limerick County Librarian.

He added, "This reference library and research centre is dedicated to the collection of material on all aspects of County Limerick, something I am sure will attract and engage all members of the local community, as well as academics from near and far. The facility brings together the written local history and archival records of County Limerick, as well as being home to the Limerick Family Ancestry service. Much of the material available at the Limerick Studies department has also been digitised and published online"

Among the other offices located at Lissanalta House is the Mid-West National Road Design Office, whose function it is to design and supervise roads construction of new National Roads in Limerick County, Limerick City, North Tipperary and parts of Clare. It is currently overseeing the construction of the Nenagh-Limerick dual carriageway and the EUR500m Limerick Tunnel, one of the largest infrastructural projects in the State.

The Limerick County Enterprise Board supports a range of new and existing small businesses. The supports vary from providing an initial ‘First Stop Shop’ service for information, advice, training and mentoring to financial supports. The Regional Waste Management Office represents the four local authorities in Limerick City and County, Kerry and Clare. Among its functions is to co-ordinate the implementation of the Regional Waste Management plan.

The Motor Taxation Office is responsible for a wide range of activities and services such as issuing of vehicle and driving licenses. The Environmental Laboratory is the water-testing laboratory for County Limerick. It undertakes tests of drinking water, river water, sewage treatment plants and groundwater to the various E.U. Legislation Standards.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)