Agendas 2024

Agenda of July Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held Monday, 8th July 2024 at 10 a.m.


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

2nd July 2024

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:   Monday, 8th July 2024

AT:   10.00 a.m.

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

You are requested to attend.

Sinéad Branley
Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To confirm minutes of Meetings of SPC 2 Group (Environment & Infrastructure) held on (a) Monday, 12th December 2023 and (b) 6th March 2024 (Copies attached).
  2. To confirm minutes of Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on Monday, 11th March 2024 (Copy attached). 
  3. To confirm minutes of Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on Monday, 25th March 2024 (Copy attached). 
  4. To confirm minutes of Meeting of Sligo Borough District held on 25th March 2024 (Copy attached).
  5. To confirm minutes of Meeting of Sligo County Council Audit Committee held on 26th March 2024 (Copy attached).
  6. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Monday, 13th May, 2024 (Copy attached).
  7. To confirm Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 21st June, 2024 (Copy attached).
  8. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance in the form of the Capital Assistance Scheme Loan in the amount of €286,494 to Focus Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee in respect of No. 47 Yeats Heights, Ballinode, Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  9. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the lease of office accommodation at Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo to Health Service Executive, Dept. of Social Protection, Tusla, and North Connaught & Ulster Citizens Information Service (Report previously circulated).
  10. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of the dwelling at Toomour, Keash, Ballymote, Co Sligo to Bernadette Mullen (Report previously circulated).
  11. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance in the form of the Capital Assistance Scheme Loan in the amount of €161,661 to Focus Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee in respect of Apartment No 20 Springvale, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  12. To note Award of funding under THRIVE Strand 1 ERDF Funding (Sligo Gaol)  (Report attached).
  13. To authorise pursuant to Section 153(2) of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, the Chief Executive to act for and on behalf of the Council in High Court judicial review proceedings entitled Conor McEniff and McEniffs (Bundoran) Limited v Sligo County Council (High Court Record Number 2024/0752JR) and further resolve that, to the extent necessary, this authorisation shall apply to all actions taken to date by the Chief Executive in those Proceedings (Report attached).
  14. Appointment to Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.
  15. Appointments to The Model.
  16. To appoint 2 Members or 2 Retired Members to Sligo County Council’s Audit Committee.
  17. To approve Annual Report of the L.C.D.C. (Reports attached). 
  18. Report on appointments to Internal Committees from Municipal District Annual General Meetings (Report attached).
  19. To approve delegation to attend the 73rd Allgäu Festival Week in Kempten, Germany (Report to follow).
  20. To note the Quarterly Management Report for Q2 2024 (Report to follow).

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council call on the Government to establish a victims of crime compensation fund in the interests of Justice.”

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the Minister for Agriculture and the Department of An Taoiseach to stop funding horse and greyhound racing and instead fund dog rescue centres and feral cat groups.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council once again write to Minister Roderic O’Gorman calling for Justice and Redress for all Survivors of Mother and Baby homes and also ask for a meeting regarding the Mother and Baby redress scheme and shocking treatment of survivors.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That we write to the Ministers of Sport and Finance requesting a strategic review of funding for national and international athletes and coaches and ask for a significant increase in funding for our athletes competing and performing so well on the international stage.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council Procedures Committee consider Section 74 of the Local Government Act, 2001 this motion to confer on Christopher O’Donnell the Honorary Freedom of the administrative area of County Sligo as a distinguished person in recognition of his success as the first Sligo Athlete to win a Gold medal in the European Athletics Championship, which he achieved on June 7th 2024 in Rome as part of the Irish 4 x 400m Mixed Relay Team.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update report on what infrastructure NTA are providing across the county regarding bus stops and shelters with more routes coming available.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update report from the Department of Housing on the inclusion of Sligo in the Defective Concrete Blocks scheme.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority provides a number of Disabled parking bays throughout this county, that would accommodate minibuses that carry wheelchair users.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council seek an update from the Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for OPW on the review of the decision not to build a new Garda Headquarters in Sligo and that an update be provided on this very serious matter.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council seek an update on the timeline for a new Tourism Strategy for County Sligo and an outline of the process around same given the current Tourism Strategy is now out of date 2018-2023.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “To ask Sligo County Council when the much needed speed limit review will take place in county Sligo, when it will begin, outline of the process and associated timelines involved and when any such changes will be implemented.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “Recognising the severe shortage of houses to rent in the private sector, this local authority calls on the Government to introduce another eviction ban to alleviate the threat of more people being made homeless.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To request that Sligo County Council contact the Minister for Justice requesting details on what she is doing to ensure consistency of sentencing in criminal matters.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Government and the HSE regarding the Chronic Pain Service in Sligo University Hospital and require the following answers to queries re. Sligo University Hospital pain management:
    1.  When did Sligo University Hospital management first become aware that Consultants intended to leave? 
    2. What reasons did the consultants put forward for their decision? 
    3. What steps have been taken to address issues identified? 
    4. What steps have been taken to ensure fast restoration of service?”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council Executive would take immediate steps to formulate a process to produce an Electoral Register that is accurate and up to date.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council buys the old cash and carry in Ballytivnan and put in modular homes as a matter of urgency to deal with the lack of emergency accommodation.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to investigate the option of employing Beach Rangers similar to Mayo Co. Co.
    These staff monitor the activities at our beaches. They prevent pet owners from allowing their dogs to run free.
    They also monitor the parking and keep the road clear in case emergency services need to attend the beach.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
    “To ask the Director of Services for Housing for the following information:
    What amount of funding was received from the Department for the Housing Adaptation Grants in 2023 and 2024.
    How many applications were received during those years and how much of the funding has been committed.”

  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “To ask Sligo Co. Co. for a report on the organisation of the Gran Fondo 2024
    (a) What lessons have been learned from the mistakes of this year's event?
    (b) Possibility of forming committee to oversee future mass participation cycling events which would include representation from all of the local cycling clubs.”

  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this council write to the Minister for Transport, Minister for Public Expenditure and TII to request that the upgrade of the N15 be added to the National Development Plan during the mid-term review.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a report (a) indicating the beaches in the county which are wheelchair accessible (b)  indicating the proposals which the Council has to provide wheelchair access to beaches which are currently inaccessible.” 
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting: (a) that domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a significant national social problem;  (b) that the majority of violence, abuse and coercive control of women is perpetrated by men;  (c) that everyday sexism, harassment and misogyny remain systemic across Irish society; (d) that the National Women’s Council (NWC) says unduly lenient sentencing in gender-based violence cases exposes the implementation deficits in the government’s Zero Tolerance Strategy on violence against women in key areas; This Council calls on the Government to provide the necessary full resources to Cuan, (the new statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence) in order to adequately fund frontline services; to carry out all of its functions to the highest standard; and to ensure a future where women can live a life free from violence.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the Irish Government to apply a stronger more effective windfall tax to help to reduce the exorbitant electricity prices that are costing the Irish household in the region of €700 more per year, than their European counterparts.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor N. Cosgrove:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the President of the Atlantic Technical University Dr Orla Flynn, regarding extending the use of the ATU sporting facilities to local clubs and sporting organisations”. 
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Finance Jack Chambers TD and the Minister for Housing Darragh O Brien TD, to increase the level of grant funding for older people from €8,000.00 to 16,000.00 and for people with disabilities from €30,000 to €45,000.00 which will require a 25% increase of overall funding in this years Governments budget, to cover the increased  building costs.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, to seek immediate action on providing application forms for Sligo's home owners who are affected by Pyrite, and to provide Council staff to ensure those applications are dealt with in a timely fashion.”
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Social Protection seeking the removal of the means test for Carer’s Allowance. Carers provide an invaluable service that keeps pressure off hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities.”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennnan:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to write to Minister Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth urging him to be aware of the potential effect of new childminding regulations on rural Ireland. It is important that the concerns of childminders and parents in rural Ireland are taken into account as part of the consultation process.”
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “To call on the Minister of Health to direct the HSE to prioritise the lifting of the recruitment embargo at Sligo University Hospital and the Community and Mental services (CHO 1) as a matter of urgency.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that Sligo County Library no longer provides access to the Irish newspaper archive, this meeting calls for a report on library services, the report to include (1) what other services, if any, have ceased or been curtailed (2) what new services are being proposed (3)  the number of people using the library services in each branch (4)  when is it expected that funding for the proposed new Central Library for Sligo will be approved.”
  30. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “Following the meeting held with TII on May 23rd 2024, that Sligo County Council report to members on what actions have been taken to advance the issues discussed and to now request an urgent meeting with Minister James Lawless, T.D., Minister of State for International and Road Transport and Logistics at the Minister’s Office or any other suitable location to discuss the urgent need for resources for the N15 National Primary Route. This request was previously sent to his predecessor Minister Chambers.
    And that Sligo County Council send a strong representative group of Members, Management and Officials to convey how serious the regression of the route in National Planning is having on County Sligo and the ability of the county to prosper successfully.”
  31. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council begin a targeted approach to bring the electoral register up to date by writing to each registered voter who did not cast their vote at the recent local elections on June 7th , 2024. So that they can update if they are still a registered voter in County Sligo.
    Many voters listed on the register have either moved away from the address at which they are registered or are deceased, and this can be upsetting to family members when election material is sent to an address for these people, there are also several voters listed multiple times at various addresses or with a previous name and this needs to be corrected.”
  32. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “While I compliment Sligo County Council on the recent Bulky Waste and Mattress amnesty event held in Youngs Quarry Ballisodare. Owing to the large volumes of people calling to the facility on that day.  Can another similar be held before the year end.”
  33. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “Can Sligo County Council provide funding for an initiative that uses old photographs and music to trigger memories among dementia patients in nursing homes similar to this project working in other counties. Specially designed Music And Memories boxes are being used by hundreds of nursing home residents in a pilot programme by Libraries in some other counties. Funded by some councils, 10 different “memory tool kits” contain 20 old photographs of the city from the 1950s-1970s, 15 CDs featuring music residents would be likely to have listened to in their youth, as well as dementia-friendly books and a jigsaw. These are designed to provoke and spark memories because people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s have a problem staying in the present.”
  34. Votes of Sympathy.
  35. Votes of Congratulations.
  36. To approve the Conferences/Training events as circulated.
  37. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  38. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 9th May, 2024 from Senator Robbie Gallagher, Government Chief Seanad Whip thanking Elected Representatives for their assistance,
    2. Letter (via e-mail) dated 14th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Justice re. resourcing for road safety education and awareness campaigns,
    3. Copy of resolution agreed by the Members of Fingal County Council re. a call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty,
    4. Letter dated 15th May, 2024 from Monaghan County Council relating to the Free Education Scheme,
    5. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Wicklow County Council re. funding for employment of a full time Road Safety Officer in every local authority,
    6. Reply (via e-mail) dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Education, Ms. Norma Foley, T.D. in relation to the allocation of Special Education Teacher (SET) hours,
    7. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. reform of the Insurance Industry,
    8. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. final phase of capital programme at Nazareth House, Sligo,
    9. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. re. risk assessment and security review of the Emergency Department in Sligo University Hospital,
    10. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. re. Nazareth House,
    11. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Green Paper on Disability Reform,
    12. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Mother and Baby Homes Redress Scheme,
    13. Acknowledgements dated 15th and 21st May, 2024 from the Office of Public Works re. securing of all archaeological sites in Sligo,
    14. Acknowledgement from the Office of the Taoiseach dated 15th May, 2024 re. temporary waiver of development levies,
    15. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. securing of all archaeological sites in Sligo,
    16. Acknowledgement dated 15th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Health provision of a new Renal Dialysis Unit for Sligo University Hospital,
    17. Letter (via e-mail) dated 16th May, 2024 from the National Transport Authority re. review of bus services travelling from all the main villages to Sligo town,
    18. Letter (via e-mail) dated 16th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Transport re. the N17 Knock to Collooney project,
    19. Letter dated 20th May, 2024 from the Regional Executive Officer of the H.S.E. re. risk assessment and security review in the Emergency Department of Sligo University Hospital,
    20. Acknowledgement dated 21st May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. setting of a date for the holding of a Referendum to enshrine the right to housing in the Constitution,
    21. Acknowledgement dated 21st May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. temporary waiver of development levies and the refund of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges,
    22. Acknowledgement dated 21st May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. inclusion of affordable houses in any housing scheme build on local authority lands in the county,
    23. Letter dated 22nd May, 2024 from the Head of Service Disability in response to resolution regarding lack of hydrotherapy pool in Sligo and Leitrim for service users,
    24. Letter (via e-mail) dated 22nd May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Housing for All Action Plan,
    25. Letter (via e-mail) dated 22nd May, 2024 from the Head of Service Disability re. lack of hydrotherapy pool in Sligo and Leitrim for service users,
    26. Letter dated 22nd May, 2024 from the Office of the Executive Chairperson of Regional Health Forum West in relation to Nazareth House, Sligo,
    27. Acknowledgement dated 27th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth re. disability reform, Acknowledgement dated 27th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth re. disability reform,
    28. Acknowledgement dated 27th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth re. redress scheme,
    29. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of Minister of State, James Browne T.D. re. the Gambling Regulations Bill,
    30. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth re. Early learning and School aged care,
    31. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. provision of cost rental and affordable housing,
    32. Acknowledgement dated 29th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. recoupment of V.A.T. by first time builders,
    33. Acknowledgement dated 29th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. zoning of land for housing,
    34. Acknowledgement dated 29th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Cost Rental Tenant in situ Scheme,
    35. Acknowledgement dated 29th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Health re. lowering the age for Bowel cancer screening,
    36. Letter received on 30th May, 2024 from AXA Insurance re. Banks cited for boycott,
    37. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. zoning of land for housing,
    38. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Ash die back Scheme,
    39. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. introduction of Universal Healthcare System,
    40. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Housing Progress Report,
    41. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Carbon Tax,
    42. Acknowledgement dated 28th May, 2024 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. introduction of all night drinking in Pubs and Clubs,
    43. Acknowledgement dated 4th June, 2024 from the Office of Minister of State, James Browne, T.D., re. the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022,
    44. Reply dated 4th June, 2024 from the Office of Minister Roderic O’Gorman, T.D. regarding the parameters of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme,
    45. Letter dated 5th June, 2024 from the Office of the National Director (Capital and Estates) H.S.E. re. Capital Programme at Nazareth House,
    46. Letter (via e-mail) dated 6th June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. affordable housing in County Sligo,
    47. Reply (via e-mail) dated 10th June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister of State, Mr. Ossian Smyth, T.D. re. telecommunications wires and poles,
    48. Reply (via e-mail) dated 12th June, 2024 from the Office of Minister Roderic O’Gorman, T.D. re. Core funding financial reporting requirements in the Earlier Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum,
    49. Copy of resolution adopted by the Members of Limerick City and County Council re. allowing taxpayers a one week break from payment of taxes,
    50. Acknowledgement dated 14th June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. cost of radon gas remediation works,
    51. Acknowledgement dated 24th May, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth re. in relation to the allocation of Special Education Teacher (SET) hours,
    52. Letter (via e-mail) dated 17th June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Finance re. cash transactions,
    53. Letter (via e-mail) dated 17th June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Disabilities regarding the lack of a hydrotherapy pool for service users in Sligo and Leitrim,
    54. Letter (via e-mail) dated 18th June, 2024 from Mr. Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions re. boycott,
    55. Letter (via e-mail) from the Office of the Minister for Health in reply to request for a national independent maternity commission inquiry,
    56. Letter (via e-mail) dated 21st June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. zoning of land for housing,
    57. Letter (via e-mail) dated 21st June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Tenant in Situ Scheme,
    58. Letter dated 21st June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Transport re. electric bus fleet in Athlone,
    59. Letter (via e-mail) dated 25th from Transport Infrastructure Ireland re. travel deficiencies in villages throughout Sligo,
    60. Reply (via e-mail) dated 26th June, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Referendum to enshrine the right to housing in the Constitution,
    61. Reply from the Office of the Minister for Health (via e-mail) dated 28th June, 2024 relating to BowelScreen.
  39. Matters arising from Minutes. 
  40. Any other business.

 


Meeting Date 08/07/2024