2024 Minutes

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo Local Community Development Committee Wednesday 23rd October 2024 at 9.30a.m. (Council Chamber, City Hall)


Members Present

  • Councillor Donal Gilroy (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Councillor Fergal Nealon (Chamber), Local Government, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Martin Lydon (Chamber), Local Government/CE, Sligo County Council
  • Mr Liam Kiely (Chamber), Local Government / LEO, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Aidan Doyle (Chamber), Business Interests, Sligo Chamber of Commerce
  • Mr. John Feerick (Chamber), Local Development Sector, Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG
  • Mr. John Kennedy (Chamber), State Agency, Dept. of Social Protection
  • Mr. Peter Egan (Chamber), State Agency, MSLETB
  • Mr. Billy Gallagher (Chamber), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Mr. Pat Fallon (Online), Trade Union Interests, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
  • Ms. Kathleen Henry (Online), Farming / Agriculture Interests, Farming / Agriculture Pillar
  • Mr. Pat Benson (Chamber), Community & Voluntary, PPN
  • Ms. Bernadette Maughan (Online), Social Inclusion, PPN
  • Mr. Amro Hamid (Chamber), Environment, PPN
  • Ms. Noelle O'Gara (Chamber), Social Inclusion, PPN
  • Ms. Cara O’Neill (Online), State Agency, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan HSE

Apologies /Absent

  • Councillor Nessa Cosgrove, Local Government, Sligo County Council

In Attendance

  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke (Chamber), Chief Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell (Chamber), Senior Executive Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Aisling Smyth (Chamber), Administrative Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Mary Boylan (Chamber), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Tracy Ferguson (Online), Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Timlin (Chamber), Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Geraldine Healy (Chamber), Clerical Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. June Murphy (Chamber), Programme Manager (SICAP), County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG

Councillor Donal Gilroy, Chairperson of Sligo LCDC +welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

1. Declarations of Interest

There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

2. Minutes of meeting 19th September 2024

Proposed by: Mr. John Feerick.
Seconded by: Mr. Billy Gallagher and agreed.

 

3. Matters Arising.

The Chair noted that attendance at meetings was to be revisited at this meeting and that it was the next item on the agenda.

 

4. To consider format of holding LCDC meetings

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting dated 19th September 2024, regarding suggestions on how the operation and efficiency of the LCDC meetings could be improved.  Ms. M. McConnell provided a brief overview of this report as discussed at last meeting and noted that the minutes of meeting 19th September reflect the discussion held during that meeting.

Discussion

Mr. B. Gallagher suggested that meeting reports / documentation be circulated as early as possible prior to meetings.  He was advised that every effort would be made to do so by staff.

 

5. SICAP

Reports circulated to members in advance of the meeting and outlined by Ms. J. Murphy.

a) Update on SICAP 2024 to date

Ms. Murphy gave a brief overview of the key highlights of the programme to date to include,

programme spend which was at 72% at the end of September, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Local Priority Target Groups (LPTGs).  She also provided an overview of other supports including to new arrivals, the Ukrainian community, small enterprises, families and children, and supports for men and women in the community,

Discussion

In response to a query from Ms’ N. O’Gara regarding the focus of SICAP on IPAS residents leading to the potential exclusion of local communities within urban and rural areas, Ms. J. Murphy and Mr. J. Feerick advised that 80% of funding and activities are integrated programmes with mixed attendance. Services are directed to where people are located and where the need is most prevalent.

In response to a query from Councillor F. Nealon regarding the capacity of services for New Arrivals, Ms. Murphy provided an overview of the process for dealing with New Arrivals.  DSP and HSE are first port of call for SLPC to provide first level of assessment and to work with other agencies to fill gaps in services where possible. She also advised that an additional New Arrivals budget had been available for 2024 with confirmation awaited for 2025 budget.

In response to a query from Mr. A. Hamid regarding the definition of New Arrivals, Ms Murphy confirmed that New Communities, Migrants, Ukrainian people, Temporary Protection Applicants and other people who have been in Sligo for several years are all taken into consideration. 

b) Verifications/Site visits Q4: 2024

Ms. J. Murphy suggested the following site visits for LCDC members:

  • Menowell Project in Tubbercurry – 13th November 2024
  • In conjunction with Kids Own Publishing the launch of a book in collaboration with Tusla with developed with New Arrivals children – November 2024, date to be confirmed.

c) 2025 Annual Planning Timeline

Ms. M. McConnell provided an overview.  The Timeline for the submission of Local Development Annual Plans has been extended by 4 weeks to 13th December to allow for the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) December, The Department will notify each LCDC and PI of the finalised 2025 SICAP and New Arrivals allocation following publication of the REV.

 

6. Review of the Membership of Sligo LCDC.

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. M. McConnell gave a brief overview of this report, advising members that as the last review of membership took place in 2021, it is now required per legislation, 3 years later to conduct a further review of LCDC membership. 

Ms. McConnell advised that representation from the Local Authority, State Agencies, the Local Development Company and the PPN had taken place organically during the past 3 years and were compliant. Also the Farming and Trade Union representatives would remain given they are under the 3 year rule.  She advised members that the Business Pillar representative required review as in excess of the 3 years but as Mr. Aidan Doyle has been nominated by the Pillar to continue this was agreed. She sought the approval of members for the review.

Proposed by: Mr. Billy Gallagher. 
Seconded by: Mr. P. Benson and agreed

 

7. To note update on PPN

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting.  Mr. P. Benson provided an overview of ongoing projects and events which Sligo PPN are currently involved in / working on, as follows:

  • Submission to the Sligo SPC Scheme based on feedback from members of the network.
  • Undertook a nomination process for community representatives to go forward for the board of Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.
  • Sligo PPN secretariat have made an approach to the new chair of the Sligo Community Safety Partnership regarding PPN representation on the new committee
  • In partnership with ATU Sligo the PPN are offering a new free Training and Mentor Programme to member groups on the use of social marketing to address emerging issues in the community sector.

 

8. To note update on the Sligo Healthy Ireland Programme Round 4

Report circulated to members in advance of the meeting. 

Discussion

In response to a query from Councillor F. Nealon regarding the availability of the Youth Mental Health Programme in Sligo Town. Ms. McGarry confirmed that the availability of suitable space is a challenge, in North Sligo and Sligo Town, while the programme is ongoing in Ballymote.  She also confirmed that in Round 3 of the Sligo HIF a Youth Mental Health programme was delivered by the West Sligo FRC in conjunction with CYPSC and she would investigate the possibility of the service being offered again in West Sligo. 

Ms C. O’Neill noted that she may be able to assist with sourcing accommodation in North Sligo – to discuss separately with Ms. McGarry.

Ms. B. Maughan advised that STSG may be able to assist with accommodation in Sligo Town.  To be discussed separately.

Ms. McGarry advised that the Stronger for Longer programme had been evaluated with final draft currently under review by partners involved in programme delivery.

Ms. McGarry also highlighted work currently underway on the development of new programmes, including programmes with Aremoja Women’s Group, Foróige, Sligo Traveller Support Group and Community Wellbeing in Caltragh.

 

9. To note update on the Sligo PEACEPLUS Plan

Report circulated to members in advance of meeting.  Ms. T. Ferguson advised members that SEUPB have approved PEACEPLUS funding of €3,603,7889.  Programme implementation should begin within the next 3 months.  Ms. Ferguson and Ms. A. Smyth thanked for their work on the programme, by the Chair.

 

10. Correspondence

Correspondence circulated in advance of the meeting and noted as read by members in advance. 

Discussion

Item 10.3. LCDC Networking Event in Athlone: Councillor D. Gilroy advised that he had attended this event with Ms. D. Clarke and Ms. M. McConnell, at which Ms. M. McConnell had given a presentation highlighting the work of Sligo LCDC.

Item 10.5. Rural Ideas Forum: Mr. B. Gallagher attended and agreed to forward the presentations from the event, for circulation to members.

Item 10.7. Migration Information Pack: Mr. P. Benson advised that this was a very informative and worthwhile pack.

 

11. Date for next LCDC/LAG meeting.

Wednesday 11th December 2024 – 9.30a.m.

 

12. Any Other Business

Ms. C. O’Neill informed members that the HSE and Cross Border Partners have submitted an application for PEACEPLUS funding to the value of €70m, for eight projects, 2 of which are targeted at Youth Mental Health and Early intervention supports for children.

In response to a query from Mr. A. Hamid regarding Mental Health programmes for the older population in 2025, Ms. C. O’Neill advised that the HSE have a range of programmes and direct services in place, for older people.  She agreed to compile information for circulation to members.

Ms. B. Maughan advised members that STSG had recently launched a Social Media Mental Health Awareness Campaign in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, alongside a series of interactive webinars.

Ms. N. O’Gara raised the subject of energy drinks currently on the market and targeted at young people and queried how this could be highlighted at national level.  She was directed by Ms. C. O’Neill to the HSE National Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme.  This is a task for the Food Safety Authority and HSE at national level, which Ms. O’Neill will bring to their attention.

 

Meeting concluded at 10.30 a.m.


Meeting Date 23/10/2024