Agendas 2025

Agenda of January Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held Monday, 13th January 2025 at 10 a.m.


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

7th January 2025

TO:      THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held

ON:      Monday, 13th January, 2025

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 Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 4th December, 2024. (Copy attached)
  2. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the disposal of 3 Dominick Street, Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  3. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the disposal of lands at Doonflinn Lower, Skreen (Report previously circulated).
  4. To consider the Chief Executive’s Report prepared pursuant to Section 179 of Part XI of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) on the proposed development of Sligo Gaol complex at Abbeyquarter North, Sligo (Copy attached).
  5. Appointments to Strategic Policy Committees.
  6. To note the Management Report for Q4 of 2024.

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To ask if this Local authority has received any communication from Government with regard to the draft Air Pollution Bill currently being finalised and if it has a view with regard to the search and seize powers contained in the bill and the possibility arising from of Local authority staff entering private dwellings and homes.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To request that the same state supports provided to disabled drivers in relation to the running of their ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles be extended to disabled drivers of electric vehicles on a like for like basis.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To request that all the disabled spaces in public car parks and on public streets in Sligo town and throughout the county be repainted as resources allow over the coming months.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “That this Council allocates a Council pitch to Coolera Strandhill GAA/LGFA/ Camogie club for use from April to September. Ideally the pitch should be inside the Coolera Strandhill area, or if not, then as close as possible to our area with adequate parking and toilet facilities.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “That this Council requests the NTA to provide a link bus service between Ransboro and Strandhill village, so that those living in the area can connect with existing bus routes (S2 and route 981).
    The 981 from Coolaney through town out to I.T/Hospital and St. Angela’s is the busiest local links in country, carrying over 3.1k passengers per week- extending the loop through Strandhill or providing a connecting service would not only be a huge benefit allowing the aging population in the Knocknarea peninsula to access GP and other services but also there are many school kids here with no school bus route to either Ransboro or Strandhill schools.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “Requesting an update from Sligo Co. Co. on the plan for efficient delivery of the increased cost of business grant.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council writes to the Minister for Education to grant students with learning disabilities extra time in second level state exams.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council writes to the Minister for Housing and put in place a stop on all no fault evictions.”

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To seek a progress report from the Department of Justice on the status of the new Sligo Garda Station that is to be built on the new site at Caltragh.“
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “Can Sligo County Council put in place a reporting mechanism on the Council website where members of the public, schools, or any person who wishes to report a fault can report the relevant details of all school signage throughout the school year, similar to the “report a broken streetlight” system. This will ensure that the repairs are reported, recorded and resolved.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “Noting its lack of inclusion in the recent Budget, can this Council seek to prioritise the plans for the coastal mobility route - a segregated cycle way between Strandhill and Rosses Point.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Health and Minister for Education to request the recruitment of essential health care professionals to staff St. Cecilia’s School (special school for children with disabilities) in addition to the teaching staff. 
    To request, in the first instance, a speech and language therapist to be recruited immediately to replace the position vacated by maternity leave. Furthermore, to request the recruitment of an occupational therapist is required to provide essential supports required for the students.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this Council request that the relevant departments work collaboratively to develop and produce a comprehensive guide or one-stop-shop resource for families in need of support services for loved ones suffering from dementia, autism, or any other physical or mental health challenges. This guide should include a detailed listing of available services, support options, and resources, including both public and private offerings, and be accessible to families in need of such assistance.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
    “That this council writes to the CEO of the ESB requesting a national survey of all power lines to access the risk of damage in storm and to take the necessary action to remove any trees that might cause damage.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “Under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR), double-tracking of Maynooth to Mullingar, and additional sections of double-track known as “passing loops” will facilitate both improved frequency and journey time on the Sligo Dublin rail line. At this time however, such works are not currently funded. Can this council write to the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Public Expenditure to have this important piece of infrastructure improved through necessary funding during the lifetime of the new government.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “Can we please get an update on the Active travel footpath projects for completion in 2025.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “Can this Council write to the Road Safety Authority to carry out a survey on the dangerous effects of LED lights on newer vehicles.  In the UK, the RAC carried out such a survey, which resulted in 85% of drivers feeling the new LED lights on vehicles are too bright and pose a potential hazard to oncoming motorists.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to request the new government to put in place a Passport office in Tubbercurry to cover the northwest west region, from Malin head to Galway from Belmullet to Cavan to complement the two existing Passport offices in Dublin and Cork.” 
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given that the incoming Taoiseach Micheal Martin has stated that planning permission must be available to applicants to build on their family lands. (A) I call to Sligo County Council to write to Micheal Martin to ask him to outline the process, guidelines and the timeframe that this policy will be implemented (B) to call on the Director of Services in planning to outline the options available to Micheal Martin to make the policy changes to the Ministers CDP in Sligo.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “That Sligo County Council will write to the New Minister for Finance who ever this will be to immediately scrap the means test for Carers and to acknowledge the work they do and the huge savings and contribution they make to the Irish state. “
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “Sligo County Council to write to the Minister of Health to direct HSE West and Northwest to return the Nurse led day services unit at St. John’s Hospital to its pre covid service of 5 days a week.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “For Sligo County Council to consider setting up a housing scheme through their Housing Disability Steering group to address the specific housing needs for people with a mental health condition and disabilities who have been discharged from hospital and require regular professional community mental health support.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the government to desist from increasing the V.A.T. of 9% to 13.5% on electricity costs that is planned to come into effect from May 2025. A copy of this motion to be forwarded to all local authorities within the state.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the government to abolish any plans of introducing further Carbon Taxes for the foreseeable future. A copy of this motion to be forwarded to all local authorities within the state.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to reinstate the Tenant in Situ scheme and increase the financial threshold limit in line with the current housing market prices in County Sligo. A copy of this motion to be forwarded to all local authorities within the state.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “Given the recent storm and the length of time it took for homes to be reconnected due to fallen trees on power-lines, that Sligo County Council request the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to carry out a review of the planting of trees so close to power lines. That the 10 metre corridor be reviewed with a view to increasing the corridor width and that a penalty system be introduced.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the meeting be provided with a report outlining the Councils proposals, if any, to increase shipping in the port of Sligo.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    "That the Council be provided with a full report regarding the settlement of a claim for judicial review for the decision to proceed with the Garavogue Bridge, which was referred to in the Statutory Audit Report from the Local Government Auditor and which indicates that the Council is obliged to pay legal costs of €125,000 in addition to the Council’s own costs.  The report to include the outcome of the judicial review and whether the Council is required to comply with the Bord Pleanala planning decision of June 2009 granting approval for the proposed Eastern Garavogue Bridge."
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the meeting be provided with a progress report regarding the provision of a Boardwalk to allow 24 hour safe access to the second beach at Rosses Point.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan:
    “I propose that Sligo County Council writes to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to suggest they review the corridor width guidelines, with a view to expanding the corridor width, for new forestry licences to prevent forestry plantations from damaging ESB power lines during storms, like we witnessed during recent Storm Darragh.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “That this Council writes to the Minister of Education to request access to public service pension schemes for school secretaries and caretakers.
    They are currently unable to join the public service pension scheme, despite being directly employed by the Department of Education.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
    “That this Council writes to the new Ministers of Finance and Transport upon appointment to highlight the urgency of the need to commence the complete N17 upgrade works between Collooney and Knock.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Health to provide the an update on capital projects in Sligo; the 42 medical block unit at Sligo University Hospital, the new primary care centre at Cleveragh, the final phase development of Nazareth House and the refurbishment of the old Markievicz House building on Barrack St in Sligo and that this motion be relayed to all four Dail Deputies for Sligo, Leitrim.”
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council write to all Party Leaders and Groupings relative to the formation of the next Government stating that this Council requests the absolute necessity to have of the upgrade of the N17, the N15 and the N59 included in any such programme for government.”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council give details of what facilities are available to Farmers and property holders for the disposal of waste oil and hazardous products in each of the Municipal districts and ensure that a collection system is in place available to all citizens for the disposal of such products.”
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council give details of the implementation dates for the introduction of the 60kph default speed limit on L Roads and what is the timeline for the consultation process and implementation of the update of the Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits) Bye Laws 2019 for all roads in the County.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “Considering that the consultants for “The Sligo Greenway” following the route selection process appears to have selected the unused railway corridor as the preferred route and informed several people who attended the public consultation that it would go on the existing railway line.
    Can the council confirm
    A. Has a written request been sent to Iarnród Eireann for permission to remove the unused railway line and place tarmac over it.
    B. If so when was this request sent to the board of Iarnród Eireann.
    C. Has Sligo County Council received permission from Iarnród Eireann to remove the railway infrastructure and if so when?
    D. Has a Licence to use the Railway been applied for or granted
    E. Have the consultants been informed that this council democratically voted on September 9th 2024 that the position of the council was to welcome the Greenway a safe distance from the railway line.”
  30. Votes of Sympathy.
  31. Votes of Congratulations.
  32. To approve the Conferences/Training events as circulated.
  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 received from the Office of the Minister for Transport dated 29th November, 2024 re. Winter Maintenance Plan,
    2. Letter dated 2nd December, 2024 from the Office of the Minister for Health re. bed levels to support Patient care in Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal,
    3. Letter dated 4th December, 2024 from the National Ambulance Service re. community paramedics,
    4. Letter (via e-mail) from Deputy Martin Kenny re. funding for climate resilience,
    5. Acknowledgement dated 9th December, 2024 from the office of the Minister for Finance re. V.A.T. rates,
    6. Letter, via e-mail, dated 10th December, 2024 from the Minister for Transport re. provision of a greenway linking Collooney with Bellaghy,
    7. Copy of resolution, dated 10th December, 2024, passed by the Members of Wexford County Council regarding the provision of affordable underwriting options for insurance cover,
    8. Acknowledgement from the office of the Minister for Education dated 10th December, 2024 in relation to the development of primary and post primary schools,
    9. Acknowledgement from the office of the Minister for Education dated 10th December, 2024 in relation to staffing in primary schools,
    10. Acknowledgement from the office of the Minister for Health dated 10th December, 2024 regarding queries to the Health Service Executive,
    11. Letter dated 11th December, 2024 from the office of the Minister for Justice re. consistency of sentencing in criminal matters,
    12. Letter dated 11th December, 2024 from the office of the Minister for Education regarding school buildings for County Sligo,
    13. Acknowledgement dated 16th December, 2024 from Mr. Kieran O’Donnell, T.D., Minister of State at the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief re. Regional Veterinary Lab at Doonally,
    14. Copy of resolution adopted by the Elected Members of Donegal County Council re. grant for rainwater harvesting and
    Copy of resolution adopted by the Elected Members of Donegal County Council re. restoration or creation of Town Councils.
  35. Matters arising from Minutes.
  36. Any other business.

Meeting Date 13/01/2025