eContact January 2005
Dáil na nÓg 2005
February 2nd 2005 sees the Sligo County Development Board hosting their third Comhairle na nOg in St Anne’s Youth Centre, Sligo.
The purpose of the Comhairle na nÓg is to select participants from local Secondary schools to go forward to represent Sligo at the national Dáil na nÓg which takes place on March 19th in Croke Park.
Dáil na nÓg meets once a year under the auspices of the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Children. The objectives of the Dáil are to:
- Provide a place where children, who are representative of the average Irish Child, can raise and debate issues of concern to them;
- Act as a tool for children's concerns to be fed into the development of public policy making;
- Provide a model for children's participation which can be developed at local level with links to the national Dáil;
- Support civic, social and personal development in children;
- Provide a centre for children to hear and learn about the experiences of other children growing up in Ireland.
The idea for Dáil na nÓg comes from the National Childrens Strategy. It provides for the achievement of the strategy’s first goal “that children will have a voice in matters which affect them and their views will be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity”.
At the previous Dáil na nÓg the four students who successfully represented Sligo were Blaithin Gallagher, Ursuline Convent, Aoife Cawley, Ursuline Convent, Noelle Carroll, Ursuline Convent and John Bell, Grammar School.
On February 2nd the participants will begin the day at the Council Chamber where they will be greeted by the Cathaoirleach Cllr. Margaret Gormley, before moving onto St Anne’s Youth Centre. There they will partake in workshops based on four topics: Sports, Drugs / Alcohol, New Communities and Education. The participants will then be asked to nominate candidates to be elected onto the Sligo representation for Dáil na nÓg. Those elected will attend Croke Park in March.
Local Authorities Corporate Plan Adopted
Sligo Local Authorities Corporate Plan 2005-2009 was adopted at the January County Council meeting. The plan replaces the 2001-2004 Plan. The document is currently available on the Intranet but it will soon be available in print form.
The Corporate Plan team wish to thank all who contributed in the consultation. Your input was critical in developing a strategic plan that will cover both authorities. The process of Operational Planning will now be put in place.
Branding Partnership Logo
Calling all those creative artistic souls. The Partnership Communications Sub Committee are holding a competition in each Local Authority, open to all staff, to commission a design based on the existing partnership logo with additional text or unique message giving due consideration to the deepening of the process.
It is hoped that there will be a good response form Sligo Local Authorities to the competition in designing the new Partnership logo. The winning logo at local level will receive €200 and will be forwarded on behalf of Sligo Local Authorities to the national competition, where they stand a chance of winning the overall prize of €500. Please note that local entries should be returned to Ian Duggan, Partnership Facilitator, by Monday 21st February.
Green Light for Sligo Local Authorities Housing Action Plan
The Minister for housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Noel Ahern, TD, has formally approved the Sligo Local Authorities ‘Social and Affordable Housing Action Plan’ 2004-2008. In issuing his approval, the Minister acknowledged ‘the significant effort and commitment shown by Local Authorities in preparing these plans.’ Minister Ahern added that the multi-annual approach to capital spending will allow Local Authorities to plan housing provision in a manner that achieves maximum value for money. ‘The action plans cover not only the provision of social rented accommodation by the Local Authority and voluntary and co-operative housing sector, but also affordable housing measures and programmes to regenerate the existing Local Authority stock. The action plan provides a blueprint for the targeting of resources in a manner which builds sustainable communities.’
The Sligo Local Authorities five year plan identifies a number of key objectives:
- Promote social inclusion by ensuring that social and affordable housing is well distributed throughout all residential areas rather than concentrated in a few locations.
- Reserve 20% of land zoned for residential development or a mix of residential and other uses to secure the implementation of the Housing Strategy as provided for under Part V of the Planning and Development Act (Amendment), Act, 2002.
- Ensure that the development of areas that are subject to an agreement under Part V are integrated with the rest of the development, so as to avoid undue social segregation.
- Ensure that the supply of housing units under the Housing Strategy reflects the current and emerging demographic characteristics and household sizes.
- Encourage social linkages between existing public and private housing areas through the provision of shared facilities and services and the opening up of access, where appropriate, between these areas.
- Ensure that the elderly, the disabled and those households least likely to own cars, have easy and convenient access to local facilities and to public transport.
Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer with Sligo Local Authorities, welcomed the Minister’s announcement: “Sligo Local Authorities are happy with having secured approval from the Minister in relation to the plan submitted. The plan sets out a programme of work in the Housing area for Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council for the coming 4 years or so. It covers all the main areas of housing assistance which the housing authorities can offer including direct construction and purchase of houses, activity of the Voluntary housing bodies, traveller accommodation, remedial and regeneration works, extensions, improvement works and the Affordable housing programmes.
The plan makes available to the local authorities a sum of €242 million to progress our programmes. Obviously this is an estimated figure and each element of the programmes will be assessed, prioritised and approved by the Department before funding is forthcoming.
Over 200 Litter Fines Issued in 2004
Litter is one of the most persistent environmental problems facing Sligo County Council. Since 2001 full time Litter Warden with Sligo County Council Aideen Feeney fights tirelessly against litter offenders in the protection of our environment.
There were 219 on-the-spot fines issued in 2004, six court cases processed and 11 court cases pending.
Under the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2004 the Litter Warden can issue an on the spot fine of €125 when she finds up to 2 bags illegally dumped. If this fine is ignored court proceedings will be initiated on the 3rd week. If 2 or more bags are found with evidence by Aideen then court proceeding will follow automatically.
Aideen is always grateful to the public for all the support in reporting claims
Partnership Committee Members
The Partnership Committee Members are as follows:-
| NAME | REPRESENT |
|---|---|
| Frankie Brannigan | IMPACT |
| Tommy Dunleavy | UCAAT |
| Pat Doyle | SIPTU-LAPO |
| Gordon Lyttle | AMICUS |
| Tom McGowan | SIPTU |
| Seán McHugh | IMPACT |
| Marie Leydon | Sligo Local Authorities |
| John O’Dwyer | Sligo County Council |
| Seamus O’Toole | Sligo County Council |
The Joint Chairs of the Partnership Committee are Marie Leydon, Management Chair and Frankie Brannigan, Union Chair.
The next meeting of the Partnership Committee will take place on Tuesday 8th February 2005.
Sligo Borough Council Working Group Members
| NAME | REPRESENT |
|---|---|
| Michael Carty | LAPO |
| Daniel Lehane | IMPACT |
| Gabriel Flannery | SIPTU |
| Gerry Cannon | Sligo Borough Council |
| John Moran | Sligo Borough Council |
The next meeting of the Borough Working Group will take place on Tuesday 1st February 2005.
Tubbercurry Bookworms
Tubbercurry Community Library facilitates the running of two adult book clubs. 12 Members of the Tubbercurry Active Retirement Association form one of the clubs and 10 other members of the library form the second club calling themselves ‘The Tubbercurry Bookworms’
The Tubbercurry Active Retirement Association Book Club formed in September 2003 and have met on a monthly basis since then. The initial meetings focused on reading tastes and habits and members recommended ‘good reads’ to others. Since May 2004 a number of interesting books have made it to the chosen book of the month, these include:
Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern
Star of the Sea by Joseph O’Connor
Politicians and Other Animals by Olivia O’Leary
Turning Turtle by Denise Deegan
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Tubbercurry Bookworms formed in August 2004 and were anxious to start reading the same book immediately. The books discussed at meetings so far include:
The Catalpa Tree by Denyse Devlin
A Special Relationship by Douglas Kennedy
Star of the Sea by Joseph O’Connor
Time in a Bottle by Denise Deegan
The Master by Colm Tobin
The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
Both clubs have indicated a number of books which they would like to read over the first few months of 2005. They include The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, The Sixth Lamentation by William Brodrick.
Copies of the books are available for loan from all four branch libraries in the county, Sligo Branch Library in Stephen Street, Tubbercurry Community Library, Ballymote Branch Library and Enniscrone Branch Library. So why not avail of the opportunity to read some of these books which include a Pulitzer Prize winning title, a Booker Prize short-list title and a number of best-selling titles from authors worth considering.
Townlands Prescribed as Urban Areas under Derelict Sites Act
The Derelict Sites (Urban Area) Regulations, 2004 prescribes certain townlands in county Sligo as urban areas for the purposes of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990. The counties affected are Cork, Limerick, Meath, Roscommon, Sligo, Dublin, Waterford and Westmeath.
The list of 54 townlands in county Sligo designated as urban areas under the Act are listed below.
The townlands Carrowhubbock South, Bunowna and Aderavoher, Curraghnagap and Castletown, Dromore (West) and Cloonascoffagh, Knockacullen, Carrownac1eigha and Coolaney, Tobercurry, Rathscanlon and Carrowntober, Gorteen, Rathmadder, Ballynaraw South, Cams and Lislea, Toorlestraun, Cloonacool, Bellaghy, Curry and Bunnacranagh, Drumbaun, Cloonshanbally, Kilnaharry and Kiltyteige, Monasterredan and Tawnymucklagh, Collooney and Ballysadare, Tiratick, Kilkilloge, Ballymote, Rathnakelliga, Stonepark, Bellanascarrow, Keenaghan, Carrownanty, Maghera and Carrowcawley, Cuiltylough, Carrowcashel, Ardcumber, Ardkeerin and Cooperhill Ballynashee and Straduff, Gortalough, Cloughoge Upper, Cleavry and Drumderry Ballinacarrow North and Ballinacarrow South.
Civil Defence on the Move
Sligo Civil Defence volunteers recently under a sponsored walk from its seven centres throughout the county culminating with a collection around the town for the re-building of regions affected by the Tsunami
The walk commenced at 10 am at the following centres:
Enniscrone, Cloonloo, Grange, Sooey where the volunteers made their way through all the towns and villages arriving Sligo town at 2pm.
The volunteers were clearly visible and were accompanied by Civil Defence vehicles.
Routes are as follows:
- Enniscrone- Easkey, Dromore - West, Skreen - Dromard - Beltra - Ballisodare - Kilmacowan - Knochnahur - Strandhill and back into Sligo Town via Strandhill road.
- Cloonloo - Ballymote - Tubbercurry - Achonry - Ballinacarrow - Collooney - Oakfield -Maugherboy - Church Hill to Sligo Town via Adelade Street
- Cliffoney - Grange - Drumcliffe - Rathcormac - Cregg - Rosses Point and into Sligo Town via Rosses Point Road and Cartron.
- Sooey commencing at Ballinafad - Geevagh - Riverstown - Ballygawley - Ballintogher - Holy Well road and to Sligo Town via Cleveragh Road.
In Sligo Town the volunteers collected at the main supermarkets throughout the day Marian Davis Civil Defence Officer wishes to thank the people of the county for their generous support on the day. Full details will be announced in next month e-contact "When needed we are there"
Ag foghlaim na gaeilge
“A nation without a language is but half a nation” Thomas Davis.
Since October last, a group of thirteen people from the County and Borough Councils are participating in the Cursá Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge. The course is organised by Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh. Our Tutor is Tomás Ó Moráin from Ballaghaderreen and there are weekly classes from 4.15 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. each Tuesday at County Hall.
Cúpla seachtain ó shin, glac grúpa óna rang páirt i deireach seachtaine sa Ghaeltacht. Is i Mín a Cladaigh, Contae Dún na nGall a bhíomar. Bhí ranganna sa Ghaeilge ar siúl gach lá agus san oiché bheimis ag damhsa, ag glac páirt i dtrá na gceist, díospóireachtaí agus imeachtaí eagsúla eile. Thuaigh muid ar turas go Oileán Thoraigh ar an Satharn - bhuail muid ar an rí Thoraigh Patsy Dan Rodgers. Bhain muid an taitneamh as ……agus d’foghlaim muid beagán gaeilge freisin.
The course extends over two years. It involves continuous assessment, a written exam agus agallamh sa Ghaeilge ag deireadh gach bliain. Tá cursá, thar deireadh seachtaine eile, eagraighartha i gConamara ar an 4-6 Feabhra. On completion, we should have neart gaeilge to enable us do business in ár céad teanga.
“Ní neart go cur le chéile”
The Late Padraig Flanagan
The sudden passing of Padraig (Pat) Flanagan, of Barnaribbon, Carney, was a major shock and many colleagues and friends in Sligo County Council.
Padraig had the distinction of being the longest serving member of staff of Sligo County Council; He joined the Council in 1959 as a Trainee Draughtsman at the age of 15, and would serve the next 45 years as a loyal and dedicated member of the Roads Department.
Padraig is succeeded by his sisters Ann, Catherine and Myra, and his brothers Brendan and John. The large attendance at his funeral and the moving homily delivered by Fr Michael Donnelly were a fitting testament to Padraig’s memory, as well as being a source of consolation to his bereaved family.
(A full appreciation will be featured in the next public issue of Contact - March 05).
Open Days held by Cathaoirleach and Mayor for Tsumani
Earlier this month the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Margaret Gormley hosted an ‘Open Day’ in Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, in aid of the Asian Disaster Fund.
Councillor Gormley was very pleased with the support of the general public. ‘I would like to thank all the people of Tubbercury and South Sligo who called in to contribute to our appeal. The people of Ireland have certainly responded very well to this disaster, and all the indications are that the amount of money generated by the various fundraisers will well exceed the €10 million committed to date by the Government. I Would like to thank all the people who gave generously of their time to support my Open Day in Tubbercurry, especially James Walsh and the staff of Teach Laighne, the Tubbercury Chamber of Commerce, and Tommy Marren of MidWest Radio who came along to lend his support.’
The Cathaoirleach confirmed that €760 had been raised in the open day, ‘to be divided among the main charitable agencies working to assist the survivors of the disaster to re-build their lives.’
Mayor Declan Bree, assisted by his sister Mrs Pauline Kerns marked the tsunami disaster by holding an open day on Thursday 13/01/2005 in the Mayors Parlour, City Hall.
The citizens of Sligo shared a cup of Fair Trade tea or coffee with the Mayor and made a financial contribution to the disaster fund in the prominently placed collection box.
The combination of a popular mayor, a central location and enormous sympathy for the survivors of the disaster resulted in a large turnout of an ever generous Sligo public to the mayor’s parlour to support the event.
The open day was a double success, in excess of €1,500 was raised for the disaster fund and the Fair Trade tea and coffee produced in the region affected by the flooding was again brought to the attention of the Sligo consumer.
Happenings
Find out what’s happening on the Sligo Arts scene.
3rd February
Barry’s, Grange
9pm
Chris Smithers
4th - 2nd March
Waterfront Gallery, Rosses Point
12:30pm-11pm
Two to Tango
9th - 5th March
Sligo Art Gallery
10am-5:30pm
Group Exhibition
10th - 28th February
The Cat & The Moon Gallery
11am-6pm
Print Group Show
10th February
Barry’s, Grange
9pm
John O’Dreams
11th February
Model & Niland
8:30pm
Craic in the Box
18th February
Model & Niland
8pm
Music for Friends
22nd - 24th February
Hawks Well
8pm
La Boheme
24th February
Barry’s, Grange
9pm
Gerry & Donal O’Connor - Best of Trad
25th Februay
Model & Niland
8:30pm
Bronagh Gallagher
26th February
Hawks Well
8pm
Shanley & Ivan Le Parr
County Hall, Riverside,
Sligo,
Co. Sligo.
GPS : Irish Grid 169896, 335864
Tel:071 9111111
Fax:071 9141119 Email:info@sligococo.ie
