Ever wondered what the EU has done for Laois?

• Laois’s infrastructure has improved greatly as a result of EU funding.
  Road projects in Laois that have benefited from EU funding include the M8/N8 at Portlaoise, Castletown and Culahill. The N8 at Durrow and Abbeyleix, the N7 at Castletown and Nenagh, the N80 and the N78 have also seen improvements thanks to EU support.
• EU support has helped improve the non-national road network in the county. Indeed, between 1994 and 1999 alone EU funding played a role in 25 non-national road projects in Laois.
• Upgrades to the Dublin, Cork and Limerick train lines, supported by EU funding, have benefited train users in Laois by increasing the capacity and frequency of trains passing through the county.
• EU funding has provided for civic amenity sites in Kyletalesha, Portlaoise and Portarlington as well as bring bank sites around the county.
• Water supply and sewage treatment schemes in Laois have also benefited from EU funding with projects in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Stradbally, Ballyroan, and Laois town receiving financial support from the EU.
• Tourism projects across Laois have also received EU support, with projects in Portlaoise, Abbeyleix and Emo benefiting.
• Village and urban renewal schemes, and the EU supported LEADER program, have boosted the quality of life of people across the county and have helped to diversify the rural economy.
• €10 million has also been invested in increasing childcare facilities and access throughout Laois.
• The European Social Fund has benefited Laois by investing in the county’s people through youth programs, adult education, employment initiatives and many more schemes.
• The Laois County Enterprise Board, which has benefited from EU funding, has helped start-up and growing businesses across the county.

Click here for the full Laois County Report.