Agendas 2022

Agenda of February Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday, 7th February 2022 at 10 am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside


Sligo County Council
Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 911 1111

1st February 2022

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday, 7th February 2022

AT:  10.00 a.m.

IN:  Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.

You are requested to attend.

Kevin Colreavy 
Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To note the minutes of Meeting of Ballymote/Tubbercurry Municipal District held on 15th November 2021. (Copy attached).
  2. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 17th January 2022 (Copy attached).
  3. To elect a Chair to Strategic Policy Committee on Environment & Infrastructure Policy (SPC 2) following resignation of Councillor Dónal Gilroy.
  4. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of the property at 36 Maugheraboy Estate, Sligo to Ronan McAllister (Report previously circulated).
  5. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of land at Magheraboy, Sligo, Co. Sligo to Kingsbridge Private Hospital (Report previously circulated).
  6. “To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of land at Derrydarragh or Oakfield, Sligo, Co. Sligo to Paul and Sharon O’Donnell (Report previously circulated).
  7. To note report of Ethics Registrar under Section 174 (b) of the Local Government Act, 2001 (Copy attached).
  8. Presentation by Comhairle na Nóg.
  9. Report on the Sligo Brand Project.
  10. To note the Monthly Management Report for December 2021 / January 2022 (Copy attached).

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan and Councillor M. Clarke: 
    “To call on Sligo County Council to activate Section 34 6 of the Planning Act so that the development of surfing accommodation on former IDA lands at Easkey, Co Sligo can be considered for planning.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to Irish Water for an update report on the Groundwater Investigation Programme to identify alternative sources of water in North Sligo area that will meet with demands of customers during periods of prolonged dry weather and a permanent supply into the future.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Agriculture for a commitment to undertake the building of the new regional vet laboratory in Sligo and a time frame when this will happen.” 
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Fox:
    “Recognising the future of offshore wind energy in Ireland what steps have been taken by this council to develop infrastructure at Sligo Harbour to prepare for growth in advance of the development of wind farms off the west coast of Ireland.”

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To ask that a delegation from Sligo County Council seek a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to:
    1. discuss the recent announcement about the closure of BBraun in Collooney, 
    2. to discuss and engage with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland with a view to working towards finding alternative sources of employment in the Collooney area
    3. to investigate the possibility of expanding the research capability at BBraun, Sligo.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To ask for an update on the Sligo Docklands Master Plan as to what plans are in place for the buildings and lands that are council owned to develop said lands into accommodation and commercial projects.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this council ask the Minister for Education the outcome of the Review of the DEIS Scheme. She has stated that hundreds of schools in disadvantaged areas will be included and yet the criteria for inclusion has not been released.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That the Members of Sligo County Council

    On foot of the new live tender for the Irish Coast Guard aviation service being amended to specify the number of bases "to reflect the existing configuration," namely four bases at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford:

    And noting that the Sligo Search and Rescue Base is the busiest base in the country again in 2021
    • Unequivocally supports the retention of a full-time air sea rescue service at Sligo Airport as currently provided by the crew of Rescue 118
    • Calls on the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD to ensure that Sligo Airport is put on a equal financial footing with other airports providing this service and supported with the capital investment needed in line with funding given to the other airports in the existing configuration.
    • Believe that any restricting or reducing of the service would negatively affect safety at sea, in the mountains and the overall safety of coastal communities on the Northern and western seaboard

    That this motion be relayed to Leitrim County Council, Mayo County Council, Roscommon County Council, Galway County Council, Derry County Council, Donegal County Council, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D, the Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Hildegard Naughton.
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    ”Following on from the Motion agreed unanimously by this Council (May 2021) requesting that Minister McEntee reconsider her departments decision not to have a specific offence of Stalking.

    This Motion now calls for Sligo County Council to write to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD. Together with the four TDs for Sligo Leitrim in support of the introduction of legislation to make 'Stalking' a standalone criminal offence in Irish law and supports the passage of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Stalking) Bill 2021 introduced by Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers in Seanad Éireann.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “On foot of the new live tender for the Irish Coast Guard aviation service being amended to specify the number of bases "to reflect the existing configuration," namely four bases at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford:

    And noting that the Sligo Search and Rescue Base is the busiest base in the country again in 2021:

    That the members of Sligo County Council 
    • unequivocally supports the retention of a full-time air sea rescue service at Sligo Airport as currently provided by the crew of Rescue 118.
    • calls on the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. to ensure Sligo Airport is put on a level playing field and supported with the capital investment needed in line with funding given to other airports
    • That this motion be relayed to Leitrim County Council, Mayo County Council, Roscommon County Council, Galway County Council, Derry County Council, Donegal County Council, the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D, the Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Hildegard Naughton.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council consider an Active Travel Route along the ‘Old Dublin Road’ linking Carraroe, Ballisodare and Collooney and that an application be made under the Active Travel Programme for a feasibility study to assess the same.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to put in place an estate Enhancement scheme for Marren Park Ballymote to include the upgrade of Footpaths and Green area. The majority of residents living in this estate of 60+ houses are retirees and some of the properties are in the ownership of Sligo County Council.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “Following on from my notice of motion in November 2020 seeking Sligo County Council to explore the provision of an outdoor skate park in Sligo, that the Council now be provided with an update with a view to the Local Authority making an application for funding to the Regional Sports Capital Programme in 2022.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Fox:
    “That the housing section of this council provide a report of the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Fox:
    “That the meeting be provided with a progress report relating to the development of the Eastern Garavogue Bridge and approach roads scheme.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke, Councillor P. Taylor, Councillor J. Queenan, Councillor D. Mulvey and Councillor M. Baker:
    “Given that building materials and labour has gone up by than 60% we call on Sligo County Council to increase accordingly the maximum grant from €8,000 to €15,000 and from €30,000 to €45,000 for housing adaption grant for people with a disability.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to set up a committee regarding Pyrite in homes in Co Sligo.  The committee would comprise of chair vice chair council officials and representatives from each party.  Donegal has a committee in place for mica, it is important that we follow suit.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update report on safe access across the N4 in Collooney under the Active travel.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update on progress on development of a County Wide Text Alert system as discussed at Co Sligo JPC meeting of September 24th 2021 and if so is there a timeline?”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
    “To call on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to increase the maximum grant under the older persons grant scheme by 30% to reflect building inflation and also to increase the overall allocation to the county a pro rata amount.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government to give Irish children born in England and brought back for adoption or put into orphanages to be given redress and also help in finding their birth certificates.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council review the junction at Markievicz Road/Connaughton Road due to recent traffic accidents and, if possible to put a railing up to protect footpath users .”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government to provide a substantial amount of funding for domestic violence agencies and the need for education in schools about violence against women and bring forward more specific laws for cyber flashing and call to introduce the legalisation of pepper spray for self defence.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That Sligo Council commends RTE on its recent “Crime and Confessions” television series, and further the Council calls for a full public inquiry into the miscarriages of justice outlined in the series.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the meeting be provided with a report on homeless services and emergency accommodation in the county, the report to include:
    1. details of emergency accommodation (including details of refuges for women and children) in the county;
    2. the number of persons who sought and were provided with emergency accommodation in 2021;
    3. if there are plans to expand the homeless services in the current year.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That we call on the Government and the Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, to allocate the necessary funding to the National Transport Authority so as to allow for the introduction of the new S3 bus service in Sligo town.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
    “This Council contacts the Dept of Foreign Affairs regarding the delays experienced by those who are looking to renew their passports.  A number of those with more complex passport applications are waiting up on 40 days for their passport to be processed.  While online applications are quicker, those that cannot be processed online are delayed.  I have a number of constituents who are waiting on their passport to travel to take up employment.  I want this Council to ask the Minister to employ more staff to deal with the backlog and the new applications.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services is it the Council's intention to apply for funding re piers and harbours under 35 million which was announced by Government recently.”  
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services for Housing to indicate how many social housing units will be constructed or acquired under Part 5 in the next 24 months.”
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly welcoming the implementation of the out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy for Ireland.”  
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Baker:
    “Frontline health care workers will receive a special, once-off tax free payment of €1,000 in recognition of their work in dangerous and challenging conditions during the pandemic.  The government has set up a panel to look at others who may qualify for it.  There are so many home support workers in our county who deserve that payment and who worked tirelessly during the pandemic. They kept these people safe in an uncertain time and continue to do so. There was no PPE for them in many cases. These home support workers are saving money for the Government, they are saving hospital beds for others and are selfless. I call on my Council colleagues to support me in writing to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to include home support workers in the €1,000 recognition payment.”
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “To request that Sligo County Council write to the FF Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to confirm a definite completion date for the National Children's Hospital.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That the Members of Sligo County Council

    Be provided with a report on how many of the 45 Reserved Functions to be Performed by Municipal District Members under the Local Government Act 2001 – As amended by the Local Government Act 2014 SCHEDULE 14A - PART 1 Subject to Section 131A(4), have been assigned to Municipal Districts.

    And also to report on how many of the 24 Reserved Functions that can be performed by either Municipal District or at Plenary level as listed in Schedule 14A – Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2001 – As amended by the Local Government Act 2014.

    And to offer an explanation as to why these are not dealt with at Municipal District Level.”
  30. Votes of Sympathy.
  31. Votes of Congratulations.
  32. Conferences/Training.
  33. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  34. Correspondence:
    1. Acknowledgement letter dated 7th January 2021 from the Office of An Taoiseach in relation to funding to roads per kilometre.
    2. Email dated 17th January 2022 and letter attached thereto from the Office of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage in relation to social housing targets and the Government’s housing strategy.
    3. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Leitrim County Council regarding grants for Community Wastewater Connection Networks in the new Multi Annual Rural Wate Programme 2022 – 2024.
    4. E-mail dated 24th January 2022 from the from the NTA regarding letter to NTA dated 19th January 2022, following January 2022 Ordinary meeting in relation to request for meeting with NTA to discuss bus services in Sligo.
    5. Letter dated 19th January 2022 from the Office of The Minister for Planning and Local Government in response to letter issue to the Department dated 6th December 2021 following Statutory Budget meeting of SCC held on 22nd November 2021, regarding increase in LPT allocation from €10.2m to €13m under LPT 2023.
    6. Acknowledgement email dated 26th January 2022 from the Office of the Minister for Health regarding patient debt collection.
    7. Acknowledgement letter dated 26th January 2022 from the Office of Mr. Paul Reid, CEO, HSE regarding update on the National Review of Cardiac Services in Ireland.
    8. Acknowledgement letter dated 26th January 2022 from the Office of Mr. Paul Reid, CEO, HSE regarding end to practice of pursuing patients with private commercial debt collection agencies, review of exemptions to inpatient charge and review of practice of withdrawing medical cards from terminally ill patients.
    9. Acknowledgement email dated 28th January 2022 from the Office of the Minister of State for Skills and Further Education regarding a call for greater investment in the apprenticeship system.
    10. Acknowledgement letter dated 27th January 2022 from the Office of An Taoiseach regarding introduction of a Vacant Homes Tax.
    11. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Galway County Council regarding the campaign of Epilepsy Ireland to address issues that impact of people with epilepsy and their families in Ireland today.
  35. Matters arising from Minutes.
  36. Any other business.

 


Meeting Date 07/02/2022