Corporate Services

The Corporate Service Directorate is responsible for delivering a wide range of services to the general public, elected members and staff. The directorate is responsible for co-ordinating the various meetings of the council, preparing the register of electors, administering the Higher Education Grants Scheme, and providing information and communication services.

HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS

Sligo County Council assisted 502 students under the current Higher Education Grants Scheme. There were 152 new applicants and 350 continuing students. The scheme is administered by the Council on behalf of the Department of Education and Science.

In the academic year 2007/2008, Sligo County Council allocated almost €228,000 in Social Maintenance Grant assistance. A total of €2.24 million was allocated by Sligo County Council to students in maintenance and fees.

While the Minister for Education and Science has indicated that the administration of the scheme will be the responsibility of the VEC’s in future years, formal confirmation to this effect has not been issued and provision for the administration of the scheme in the next academic year has been included in this year’s estimates.

ELECTIONS

A high quality Register of Electors is essential for the successful operation of the electoral system and of the democratic process itself. Sligo County Council prepares the Register of Electors annually and as always a major effort was made to achieve the highest possible degree of accuracy and comprehensiveness in compiling the Register. The Draft Register of Electors was printed on the 1st November, 2007. There were 49,638 electors registered on the 2008/2009 Draft Register.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Sligo County Council’s Human Resource Department is responsible for the delivery of all aspects of the Human Resource function for Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council. Its main functions include Recruitment, Staff Training and Development, Staff Welfare, Industrial Relations, Performance Management and Development, Superannuation and Equality and Diversity.

The general aim of the Councils Recruitment policy is to attract and retain competent staff, with the qualifications and experience necessary to provide an efficient and effective service to the community. During 2007, the Human Resource Department conducted competitions for 67 posts for which interviews were held spanning 74 days. This involved processing a total of 1264 applications, and interviewing 767 applicants.

The Human Resources department promotes equality between staff by ensuring that employees are treated in an equitable manner. Sligo Local Authorities recognise the right of all employees to be treated with dignity and are committed to ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe working environment.

Training Courses provided in 2007

2007 was a very busy year for the Training and Development Department. The following training programmes were arranged under the 2007 Training and Development Programme. The courses were identified through various channels i.e the PDP process, the Health and Safety Advisor and the Organisational needs of Sligo Local Authorities:

• Presentation Skills
• Training Programme on Procurement Rules
• Supervising Safely in Construction
• Manual Handling
• First Aid
• Chairing Meetings
• Confined Space Entry
• Return to Learning
• Time Management
• Equality and Diversity Training
• Grievance and Disciplinary Training
• Quick Start Management
• Disability Awareness Training and Disability Equality Training
• Personal Effectiveness Programme for Staff Officers, Professional, Technical and Analogous Grades
• Occupational Safety and Health
• SafePass
• Freedom of Information
• Dealing with Difficult and Challenging Customers
• Managing Yourself and Your Workload
• Agresso/Refresher Training
• Irish Language Courses
• Budget Management
• Advanced Word
• Advanced Excel
• E.C.D.L.
• Technical Report Writing
• Gas Installers Safety Programme
• Media Skills Training
• Accessibility Training for Engineers and Architects

In addition to the above The Training and Development Office supported 6 applications under the Staff Education Scheme:

• 15 staff were approved to attend the Certificate in Local Government Studies.
• 13 staff were approved to attend the Diploma in Local Government Studies
• 5 staff were approved to attend the Certificate in Management Studies

The Training and Development Office, took a particular interest in organising training programmes for outdoor staff.

Courses were identified through the P.D.P. process as well as Health and Safety requirements:

• ECDL Training
• Supervisory Skills Development
• Retirement Planning
• Ride on Roller
• Abrasive Wheels
• Location of Underground Services
• Safe Pass
• Return to Learning
• Confined Space Entry
• Signing Lighting and Guarding
• Manual Handling
• Supervising safely

The Training and Development Office also advertised many courses as well as supporting attendance by various staff members at numerous relevant Training Courses and Seminars at various locations throughout the country.