Agendas 2025

Agenda of March Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held Monday, 3rd March 2025 at 10 a.m.


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

25th February, 2025

TO:      THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held

ON:      Monday, 3rd March, 2025

AT:      10.00 a.m.

IN:       Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.

You are requested to attend.

Jennifer Burns
Acting Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 10th February, 2025 (Copy attached)
  2. Co-option of Member to vacant seat arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  3. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on the Hawk’s Well Theatre arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  4. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on Northwest Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  5. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on ATU Sligo Drug & Alcohol (REACT) Committee arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  6. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on SPC 4 Placemaking arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  7. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on Sligo County Council’s Disability Consultative Committee arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  8. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on Sligo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  9. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on Sligo Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC) arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  10. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on the Culture Team arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  11. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on Northwest Homelessness Consultative Forum arising from the election of Councillor Nessa Cosgrove to Seanad Éireann.
  12. To consider and agree draft Festival & Events Strategy for County Sligo 2025-2029 (Draft Strategy and Report attached) 
  13. To seek the approval of the Council to the raising of a loan of €4M in respect of the Public Lighting Energy Retrofit Scheme in Sligo. (Report to follow)
  14. To note the Monthly Management Report for February 2025 (Copy attached).

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council gives an update on all medium to large scale schemes expected to progress in 2025 and associated timeline for same.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “In light of the recent storm and red weather warning, the length of time it took for power to be restored to homes, water to return, access to be restored; Sligo County Council now requests that a full review be carried out by the authorities of 1. The preparedness of the agencies (ESB, EIR, Local Authorities, Coillte) for the storm and its aftermath, 2. How the agencies managed and coordinated activities 3. The learning from the event and 4. A report be commissioned to review our critical energy infrastructure in order to improve and safeguard it.
    That this motion be relayed to the Minister, Secretary General at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the CEO of the ESB.” 
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the RSA and the Minister for Transport to ask that a regular competency test be but in place for all drivers to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. Vehicles have required regular safety checks for many years, and it is now time for drivers to be regularly checked.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “Can Sligo County Council confirm if planning permission is required to cut down individual trees on private land and if so, what is the process of receiving such permission.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “Can Sligo County Council confirm if there is any planning permission or building regulation that bans chimneys from new dwellings.”

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to provide an update report on SLNCR Greenway from Collooney to Enniskillen.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this Council requests the relevant government departments, including the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority (NTA), and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), to commission a feasibility study on the development of a new rail line between Collooney and Charlestown along the proposed new N17 route.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I ask Sligo County Council to establish a Vacant Home Matchmaker Scheme similar to other counties. 
    The Matchmaker Scheme helps connect owners of vacant properties and potential buyers. The aim is to match vacant property homeowners who would like to sell their property with people who may want to purchase a vacant property.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “That Sligo County Council support the Sligo Greenway project on whatever route is decided as a result of public consultation and the TII process as has been agreed by Sligo County Council over the past decade.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update report on what level of funding is available to address boundary fence and walls in estate taken over or owned by the local authority who is responsible for carrying out this work as at present there is no clear indication who is responsible for this.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this Council writes to the Department of Transport and Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) requesting that a structural survey be conducted on the derelict roof at Sligo’s Seán Mac Diarmada Train Station. Furthermore, we urge that, based on the survey’s findings, the necessary funding be committed to facilitate the roof’s restoration, ensuring the preservation of this vital transport hub and historical landmark for the benefit of passengers, staff, and the wider community.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Forestry Michael Healy-Rae, T.D., and to the Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD, to address the crisis that has hit Irish farmers and small private forestry owners that have suffered catastrophic losses due to storm Darragh and Eowyn. Immediate action is required to ensure that those forests are cleared and restored to ensure Ireland continue to achieve climate action planation goals. The action required are. 1. Suspend all biomass imports. 2. A base floor price set. 3. All timber sold by volume price. 4. Suspend all clear-fell licence requirements. 5. As most forests affected are not at maturity, transport, harvesting and replanting needs substantial subsidisation. 6. 4 million tons of timber have to be taken out on to the road network in the Northwest. Government must provide funding to all local authorities to repair the damage this will cause to the road network.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “That this Council support the proposal that Planning rules on cabins and modular homes in back gardens should be relaxed as part of efforts to tackle the housing crisis.
    As it stands, extensions of up to 40sq/m to a home can be built without planning permission. However, approval must be sought if structures of the same size are not attached to the home itself.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to suspend all enforcement action on cabins and modular homes on family property until the government bring in guidelines on exceptions on those developments, and that this Council write to Minister John Cummins T.D. to increase the exemption size from 40 sq. meters to 60 sq. meters for such exceptions.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to hold a special meeting requesting that the ESB, Eir, Coillte, & Uisce Éireann send a representative to address the concerns of this region affected by Storm Éowyn and to outline what emergency process they have now put in place and that Sligo County Council seek funding from the government for emergency hubs in the county.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council call on the Minister for Justice to immediately prohibit the use of counselling and therapy notes in all cases of gender-based violence. Survivors must be able to seek support without fear that their private records will be used against them. Protecting their confidentiality is essential for ensuring justice and safety.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council give details of how, based on the movement of the County Veterinary Inspector to the Department of Agriculture, who will be responsible for issues regarding Wild Animals, Birds and Sea Creatures found dead within the Area of the Authority on either public or private property and how these will be dealt with and what out of hours service will be available to members of the public who may find dead, distressed or diseased creatures.
    That the members are also given details of what veterinary support will be given to the Dog Warden service within the county.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council report on what impact the extension of rent pressure zones within the county will have on tenants within the added areas who are in existing long term rental properties. What effect it will have on existing short term (Airbnb) holiday rentals and any planned short term (Airbnb) rental properties.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council develop planning requirements for conversion of domestic dwellings to small scale HSE/Healthcare Residential units. These units are in reality a place of work where the HSE operates its services/business.
    These premises would have in the region of 10 times the amount of traffic per day as a domestic dwelling causing increased traffic on roads not designed for such traffic numbers. The constant heavy traffic of delivery and service vehicles on unsuitable roads. The control of waste products where all these premises should not only have large commercial Domestic, Recycling and composting bins but would also have a requirement for clinical waste disposal.
    The extra cost of upgrading the roads where these premises exist is having a major impact on the condition of roads and traffic numbers.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update on the textile banks throughout the county.
    Where is Sligo County Council on the current tenant with the textile company and 
    Is that company still going to continue the service as there are major changes coming in the textile industry.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government to fulfil their promise of free HRT for all.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council writes to the Minister for Health asking that they make the treatment called Pluvicto available to all patients with prostate cancer.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government to
    1. Publicly commit to fast-tracking and passing the Bereaved Partners Pension Bill within the first six months of the new Dáil.
    2. Ensure the Bill includes all cohabiting partners, with or without children, and provides backdated payments to eligible families.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a progress report on the planned Sligo SLNCR Greenway, linking Sligo with Enniskillen.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “To ask what progress, if any, has been made in regard to the provision of mooring facilities at Inishmurray Island.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “Sligo County Council to write to the ESB and request that they set up a Councillors’ direct representative line so that Councillors can contact a local ESB agent to answer their queries on behalf of their constituents particularly during power outages. Similar to the representative phone line and email Uisce Éireann and NBI provide.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Agriculture to request the setting up of a grant scheme to support storm damaged farm buildings as the humanitarian aid grant does not cover losses farmer have incurred.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “To ask the Council executive why there is no parks division with a specific budget to maintain parks and housing estates for the towns and villages in the two Municipal districts of Sligo Drumcliffe and Ballymote Tubbercurry similar to the Parks division that maintains Sligo Strandhill Municipal district.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
    “To ask this County Council how many new houses were granted planning in 2024, and how many commencement notices were received in the same year by this local authority. Are there any grounds for confidence that this local authority will see any significant improvement in relation to the supply of new homes in this county for 2025 and if so for what reasons.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
    “As the minimum wage has increased to €13.50 per hour since January 1st, the Government should increase the wage threshold of apprentices from €7.41per hour to €10 for a 39-hour week.
    Therefore, I call on the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to review the rates, to keep young apprentices in this economy instead of going abroad once qualified. Newly qualified apprentices should work within the Irish economy for a mandatory 2 years to kickstart our construction industry.”
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “Noting that a home is a moral human right, this local authority calls on the Government to start the process to have the right to housing enshrined in the constitution.  A copy of this motion to be sent to all local authorities within the state.”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, and the Irish Government to bring in legislation to ensure that every child with additional needs has a place in their local Primary and secondary school. A copy of this motion to be sent to all local authorities within the state.”
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Cognisant of the exceptional and proud tradition members of our defence forces have played serving abroad as peacekeepers under the auspices of the U.N., this Council calls on the Government to ensure that all overseas operations will continue to be conducted in line with Ireland’s position of military neutrality and will be subject to the triple lock of U.N., Government and Dáil Eireann approval.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the Government to have an “Irish Unity week” in the Republic of Ireland’s Oireachtas which would see MLAs and Northern Ireland senior politicians contributing to debates.”
  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. E-mail dated 10th February, 2025 from Mrs. Alexina Warren acknowledging Vote of Sympathy from the Members on the death of her husband, Alec,
    2. Letter (via e-mail) from the Office of the Minister for Finance re. State supports for disabled drivers,
    3. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Resolutions agreed concerning the processing of ACRES applications, Forestry plantations and Storm Éowyn,
    4. Copy of resolution passed by the Elected Members of South Dublin County Council regarding a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty,
    5. Letter dated 5th February, 2025 from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) re. LED lighting systems,
    6. Acknowledgement from the office of the Minister for Health regarding resolutions agreed at the February Ordinary meeting,
    7. Acknowledgement dated 17th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Transport re. request for additional funding for Sligo County Council,
    8. Acknowledgement dated 17th February, 2025 from the office of Minister Healy-Rae at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. Storm Éowyn,
    9. Acknowledgement dated 17th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Transport re. meeting with the National Transport Authority,
    10. Acknowledgement dated 17th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. Storm Éowyn,
    11. Acknowledgement dated 17th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Justice re. retail theft,
    12. Acknowledgement dated 17th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Finance re. home adaption grants,
    13. Resolution agreed by the Elected Members of Roscommon County Council re. incentives for landowners to move trees from roadside,
    14. Resolution agreed by the Elected Members of Roscommon County Council re. GOV NE system for emergency frontline services,
    15. Resolution agreed by the Elected Members of Roscommon County Council re. extra time at second level examinations for students with learning difficulties,
    16. Resolution agreed by the Elected Members of Roscommon County Council re. damage to power lines from tree falls,
    17. Acknowledgement from the office of the Minister for Education re. granting students with disabilities extra time in second level State examinations,
    18. Letter dated 17th February, 2025 from Services for Older Persons (HSE) re. Nurse led day services at St. John’s Hospital,
    19. Letter, via e-mail, dated 18th from the Office of the Minister for Health re. nationwide Surgical Hubs,
    20. Acknowledgement dated 18th February, 2025 from EIR regarding Storm Éowyn,
    21. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. V.A.T. on electricity costs,
    22. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. carbon taxes,
    23. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Planning applications,
    24. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. eviction ban,
    25. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. penalties for sale of e-liquids, vape kits or nicotine containing products,
    26. Acknowledgement dated 14th February, 2025 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. provision of Surgical Hub for Sligo and northwest,
    27. Letter dated 18th February, 2025 (by e-mail) from the office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding ACRES applications,
    28. Acknowledgement (by e-mail) dated 18th February, 2025 from EIR re. Storm Éowyn,
    29. Letter, via e-mail, dated 18th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Education re. public service pension for School Secretaries and Caretakers,
    30. Letter dated 17th February, 2025 from the Office of the Executive Officer of the H.S.E. re. campaign regarding dangers of vaping,
    31. Acknowledgement from the Office of the Taoiseach dated 17th February, 2025 re. Storm Éowyn,
    32. Copy of resolution adopted by the Members of Limerick City and County Council expressing appreciation to Council staff and staff of other agencies and volunteers during Storm Éowyn,
    33. Copy of resolution adopted by the Members of Limerick City and County Council re. grant aid for older people to purchase generators for power outages,
    34. Copy of resolution adopted by the Members of Limerick City and County Council re. installation of generators by Uisce Éireann,
    35. Acknowledgement dated 19th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Tenant in situ scheme,
    36. Acknowledgement dated 19th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Housing adaption grants,
    37. Acknowledgement dated 19th February, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. request to address Sligo County Council,
    38. Letter dated 18th February, 2025 from Minister Healy-Rae at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning the impact of recent storms,
    39. Acknowledgement dated 19th February, 2025 from the Office of the Tánaiste re. resolutions from the February Ordinary meeting,
    40. Acknowledgement dated 20th February, 2025 from the Office of the Minister for Health re. task force in the event of electricity outages,
    41. Acknowledgement dated 24th February, 2025 from the Office of the Minister of State for Health re. inclusion of mental health in the 999/112 telephone service and
    42. Acknowledgement dated 25th February, 2025 from the Office of the Planning Regulator.
  35. Matters arising from Minutes.
  36. Any other business.

Meeting Date 03/03/2025