Welcome to County Sligo

County Sligo is located in the province of Connaught, in the northwest of Ireland and has a population of 65,535.  Sligo Town is the largest town in the county and there are a number of smaller towns such as Ballymote, Tubbercurry, Strandhill, Collooney, Ballisadare and Enniscrone.  The county is flanked to the west by almost 200 kilometres of scenic Atlantic coastline, with beaches such as Enniscrone, Strandhill, Mullaghmore and Rosses Point. Sligo has a rich culture and music heritage and is also noted for Benbulben Mountain, one of Ireland's most distinctive natural landmarks.

Sligo Ukrainian Community Response Forum 

A Ukrainian Community Response Forum has been established in Sligo to enable the various organisations and agencies at local level, to work together in the delivery of services for Ukrainian refugees relocating to Sligo.  The role of the Forum is to coordinate the Sligo response in the provision of local supports required by refugees, including liaising with local service providers, identifying service gaps and solutions and encouraging collaboration among service providers, in Sligo.

It is intended that the information contained on this page will be a useful resource for Ukrainian people, agencies and members of the public who are seeking information on services and help available in Sligo.

The following organisations are represented on the Ukrainian Community Response Forum in Sligo:

• Sligo County Council (Chair of Forum and Co-ordination) 
• Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG
• Department of Social Protection
• HSE
• Citizens Information Centre
• Tusla / CYPSC
• Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB
• Sligo Volunteer Centre
• Sligo County Childcare Committee
• An Garda Síochána
• Public Participation Network

See below for an overview of services provided by each organisation and a link to their website:

Accommodation

At National level, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) are taking the lead in terms of coordinating the response to the Ukrainian crisis by Government Departments and National Agencies.

The Irish Government is providing accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). Ukrainian arrivals seeking accommodation should contact IPAS by email at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie 

The IPAS Customer Service team deals with all queries and complaints from residents and may be contacted at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie

The IPAS Complaints Procedure is clearly set out in the link below:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e0f1a-international-protection-accommodation-service-ipas-complaints-procedure/

The Irish Red Cross is coordinating a register of private accommodation for refugees.    

Information for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine due to vacate student accommodation

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth is working with other Government Departments, Local Authorities and accommodation providers to make this move out of temporary student accommodation as easy and efficient as possible.

SLIGO LEADER PARTNERSHIP CLG		DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
The Local Development Company, SLPCo will play an active role in an on the ground response intermediary at a local level providing linkages with other key stakeholders who can develop and deliver the appropriate supports required to respond to the needs of Ukrainian people arriving in the County.  SLPCo will work with stakeholders to develop and maintain an overview of programmes supporting refugees from Ukraine across the county, to help identify gaps, and emerging needs and to plan responses, as appropriate. Sligo Leader - Coming to Ireland from Ukraine Sligo Leader -  Facebook  Ukraine Welcome Event -15th June (PDF) - 1,262 kbs		Getting public services when you arrive in Ireland To get government public services you will need a Personal Public Services Number (PPSN). Your PPSN is a unique reference number that helps you get social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland. All adults and children will need their own PPSN.  To get a PPSN, you should go to your local office. Here our staff will help you to get a PPSN. You can also apply for income supports at your local office. Here our staff will help you with your applications.  You will also be able to apply for income supports for yourself and any adult or child dependants you have.    Social Welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine   DSP Supports for those arriving from Ukraine - Newsletter Vol 2 (PDF) - 228 kbs

 

HSE		CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTRE
Ukrainian nationals arriving in Ireland will be able to get health care services from the HSE, including access to GPs, community care and hospital or emergency care.  www.hse.ie/Ukraine  Медичні послуги для українців, які прибувають до Ірландії Медицинские услуги для украинцев, прибывающих в Ирландию		Citizens Information is a free, confidential and independent service providing information, advice and advocacy services on all your rights and entitlements on eg social welfare, heath, housing, employment, money and tax etc.  North Connacht and Ulster Citizens Information Service, Sligo is located at Unit 3 & 4, Bridgewater House, Rockwood Parade, Sligo, F91 Y9YY Telephone: 0818 076 390, email: sligo@citinfo.ie    Citizens Information - Supports for Ukrainians  Citizens Information - Temporary Protection Directive

   

TUSLA		CYPSC
Tusla - The Child and Family Agency is a dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. Agency services include a range of universal and targeted services as follows:    Child protection and welfare services; Educational welfare services; Alternative care; Family and locally-based community support; Early years services; Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services.   Tusla - Child & Family agency		CYPSC are county-level committees that bring together the main statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children and young people. They provide a forum for joint planning and co-ordination of activity to ensure that children, young people and their families receive improved and accessible services. Where there is need for targeted support, the following will apply: Child Protection – Where there is a Child Protection concern, Children First guidance must be followed, and Tusla’s usual referral pathways utilised. To discuss or report a concern, contact Duty Social Work Teams Individuals and families who require targeted support will be directed through existing pathways to the relevant services.  In relation to local support services, families will be directed to the Child and Family Support Networks for additional advice and support. NPC Helpline for Ukrainian parents National Parents Council have a new helpline officer that speaks Ukrainian and Russian to assist with queries regarding pre-school or school going age education. This service is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday by phone 01 887 4473 or by email helpline@npc.ie
		Child and Family Support Networks   Supporting Children and Parents

   

MAYO SLIGO LEITRIM ETB		SLIGO VOLUNTEER CENTRE
Advice and Guidance You can meet with a professional Educational Guidance Counsellor or Guidance Information Officer in a confidential setting to discuss your education and training needs. Our services are free of charge. MSLETB Guidance Services English Language Classes Our Adult Basic Education Service offers English classes to speakers of other languages. All adult learners are assessed and placed according to their level of English on entry. Classes are free of charge. MSLETB Services for Speakers of Other Languages		Sligo Volunteer Centre assist groups to develop and structure volunteer programmes. We can assist in developing Volunteer Roles and then recruit volunteers to fill the role. We have a database of approximately 2,500 people with a wide variety of skills who have expressed interest in volunteering all around the County. We can advise on everything from scheduling and rostering volunteers to screening and Garda Vetting.   Sligo Volunteer Centre - Community Response
Ukraine Community - Educational Needs form  Допомога в навчанні та освіті. Помощь в обучении и воспитании.		SLIGO COUNTY CHILDCARE COMMITTEE  Support and assistance  with accessing Early Learning and Care/School Aged Childcare, Parent and Toddler groups and Parental Supports.  Sligo County Childcare - Supporting parents & families

   

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA		PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK
These Statutory Instruments have been introduced to enable Ukrainian refugees to drive in Ireland.  This order provides for a driving licence issued by the Licensing Authority of Ukraine to be exchanged for an Irish driving licence to drive a car (category B) for a period of 12 months.  Please note vehicles originating from Ukraine and entering Ireland are required to have Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) insurance.  Exchange of Ukraine Driving Licence to Irish Driving Licence - Statutory Instrument (PDF) - 123 kbs		Sligo PPN is the county network for community and voluntary organisations. While the main aim of the PPN is to support the community sector to actively take part in local policy and decision making, the network also promotes the activities of member groups, supports their development through information and training as well as connecting individuals to local community activities.   Sligo PPN
An Garda Síochána

General Queries

For general queries not addressed by any of the services / agencies above, please contact Sligo County Council at communityresponse@sligococo.ie 

 

Other Useful Information

Introductory Information on Sexual Assault Services - English (PDF) - 215 kbs Introductory Information on Sexual Assault Services - Ukrainian (PDF) - 188 kbs   Introductory Information on Sexual Assault Services - Russian (PDF) - 281 kbs     Sexual Assault Trauma Unit introductory video  National Learning Network - Choose Your Path (PDF) - 4,111 kbs Transfers Infographic - 549 kbs		БЕЗПЕЧНЕ ТА ПРИЄМНЕ К АТАННЯ НА ЧОВНІ (Safe and Enjoyable Boating) (PDF) - 221 kbs БЕЗПЕЧНЕ ПЛАВАННЯ (Safe Swimming) (PDF) - 314 kbs    КУПАННЯ В МОРІ (Swimming in the Sea) (PDF) - 1,806 kbs   БЕЗПЕКА У Б АСЕЙНІ (Water Safety in the Pool) (PDF) - 256 kbs БЕЗПЕКА Н А ВНУТРІШНІХ ВОДОЙМИЩАХ (Water Safety on Inland Waterways) (PDF) - 316 kbs   БЕЗПЕКА Н А ВОДІ У ФЕРМЕРСЬКИХ ГОСПОДАРСТВАХ (Water Safety on the Farm) (PDF) - 243 kbs

Things to do in Sligo

Public libraries are free of charge.  Information on the full range of services available in Sligo Libraries is available on their website:

Sligo has over sixty trails to choose from and on the Sligo Walks website you will find information on a wide variety of routes with information on the grade of walk, terrain, length and local knowledge about each walk.  Our walking trails are accessible for families and make for a great day out with easy-going terrains.  For the more dedicated walker, there are longer trails like the Sligo Way or the Miners’ Way and Historical Trail which can be completed either in sections or over a few days. 

Sligo offers an enviable pace of life that blends modern living with a pristine natural environment.  Against the backdrop of Benbulben, Knocknarea, the Ox Mountains and the Wild Atlantic Way, Sligo has a vibrant urban centre.  Everything from beaches, mountains and urban life are almost within touching distance.  Exciting job opportunities, quality educational institutions and unlimited recreational choices combine to make Sligo an ideal setting in which to LIVE, INVEST or VISIT.