Agendas 2025

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


Seirbhísí Corparáideacha/Corporate Services Section
Comhairle Chontae Shligigh/Sligo County Council
Áras an Chontae/County Hall
Cois Abhainn/Riverside
Sligeach F91 Y763/ Sligo F91 Y763

28th October, 2025

TO:      THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held

ON:      Monday, 3rd November, 2025

AT:      10.00 a.m.

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

You are requested to attend.

Sinead Branley
Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To note Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 2 (Climate and Infrastructure) meeting held on 1st July, 2025. (Copy attached)
  2. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 6th October, 2025. (Copy attached)
  3. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance in the form of the Capital Assistance Scheme Loan in the amount of €188,246 to CENA Culturally Appropriate Homes Company Limited by Guarantee in respect of No. 38 Rathbraughan Park, Sligo. (Report previously circulated)
  4. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of freehold interest in the dwelling house and lands located at Carrowmore, Co Sligo F91 Y099. (Report previously circulated) 
  5. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of the freehold interest in property at No. 39 Cairns Drive, Sligo to Colin and Gemma Smith. (Report previously circulated)
  6. To note the outcome of the public consultation on a proposed Sligo Business Improvement District (BID) to succeed the current Sligo BID and arrange the holding of a plebiscite. (Report to follow)
  7. To seek approval to borrowing a sum not exceeding €15m by way of temporary overdraft for the 12 months from 1st Jan 2026 to 31st Dec 2026. (Report attached)
  8. Update on Sligo County Council Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026 Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) Delivery Targets.
  9. Freedom of the County.
  10. To note the Monthly Management Report for October 2025. (Copy to follow)

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “We call on Sligo County Council to use all measures at their disposal to ensure that those struggling with the Cost of Living crises are shielded from any further increases in outgoings. Families and individuals are already facing rising costs from rent and housing costs to day to day groceries, goods and services. This is before we come into the winter months where people are stretched even further and sometimes have to decide between heating or eating.
    We further call on this council to engage with relevant ministers and request funding to develop initiatives at a local level, that will ensure the most vulnerable people in our communities are supported in the difficult months ahead.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister of Transport to address the need to increase the level of funding under the Safety Improvement Schemes as the allocation of €370.000 does not address the needs for the county.”

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “This local authority calls on Irish Government to take urgent action to prevent any further electricity price hikes.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “That Sligo County Council supports the immediate inclusion of Commercial Bus Operators (CBOs) in the Child Leap Card Scheme, which provides free bus travel for children under nine.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “That this Council calls on the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to immediately review the disproportionate level of State funding allocated to horse racing and greyhound racing compared to all other sports.
    That this Council notes:
    • In Budget 2025, the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund received €95 million, divided between Horse Racing Ireland (€76 million) and Greyhound Racing Ireland (€19 million).
    • This represents nearly three times the total annual allocation to all grassroots sports clubs nationwide through Sport Ireland, which stood at €36 million for the same period.
    • Over the past two decades, the Horse and Greyhound Fund has received more than €1.5 billion in Exchequer support — money largely benefiting private operators and gambling interests.
    • Meanwhile, local sports clubs, women’s teams, school sports facilities, community pitches, and inclusive participation programmes continue to struggle for basic funding and facility upgrades.
    Therefore, this Council calls for:
    1. A phased reduction of public subsidies to horse and greyhound racing over the next three years.
    2. The ring-fencing of savings to directly support community sports infrastructure, youth development, women’s sport, and disability inclusion.
    3. A national review of how sports funding is distributed, ensuring fairness, transparency, and measurable community benefit.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council arrange a meeting with Sligo Family Resource Centre Manager and Chairperson with a view to assisting the FRC to expand and find a purpose built location similar to the recently opened FRC Centre in Tubbercurry.
    Sligo County Council has proudly supported the work of Sligo FRC and by helping in this process will continue to champion the values they represent.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I ask Sligo County Council if our council has a dedicated EU officer like other counties have? Some other counties have such specific staff for many years, i.e. Donegal. If we do not have such a staff member, could our council possibly cluster with another council maybe to fill such a position. This person's role would specifically deal with accessing EU funding available and could benefit County Sligo.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council call on the Minister for Education to immediately release funding to progress the urgently needed school building projects at Gaelscoil Cnoc na Ré, Ursuline College, and Grange Post Primary School, all of which are facing serious delays and health and safety concerns, with the Ursuline project at risk of losing planning permission. 
    That this Council further requests that the Minister prioritise these Sligo schools and provide a clear timeline for the release of funding and commencement of construction.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council confirm if costs associated with storm Éowyn have been reimbursed, what amount is outstanding and that a letter is sent to Minister Browne and Minister O'Brien to ask when will these costs be reimbursed to Sligo County Council.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “Following correspondence from the HSE to this Local Authority (ref: REPDR/23/00789. 6th March 2023) and my follow-on motion in September 2024 which sought an update on a future strategy for the 105-acre Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park : that Sligo County Council advise on what, if any, communication they have had with the HSE on this project since that time and what plans are in place to work collaboratively together to ensure the potential of these lands are realised.
    That the CEO of the HSE and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture be contacted seeking an update also.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To request that the RZLT (Residential zoned land tax) that was paid by Sligo County Council in June be reimbursed to the Council as soon as possible as was agreed.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the Irish government to abolish the property tax on the family home.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “To ask the HSE for an update on the much-needed new Ambulance and Training Facility Base for Sligo; at what stage the appraisal at, when a design and planning application will be forthcoming. That this motion be relayed to the Chief Executive of the HSE, the Minister for Health and our 5 Oireachtas members.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given the large amount of farm machinery theft in the northwest that is then moved across the Border to Northern Ireland and machinery stolen in Northern Ireland moved across the border to the republic, and because the crime happens in a different jurisdiction the investigation breaks down. I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and the first minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, to device a collaboration between the two governments to ensure that a seamless investigation and recovery of stolen property will be achieved.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given the extraordinary increase in food and energy costs and families and our Senior citizens are really struggling with the cost of living, I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, T.D. rejecting his government's austerity budget.” 
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “Given the fact that Irish wholesale electricity prices have decreased significantly, dropping over 75% from their 2022 peak, can all relevant stakeholders and the Department be questioned as to why consumers are not seeing the reduction in electricity bills?”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
    “Can Sligo County Council initiate a project similar to that recently implemented by Galway City Council to transform fallen trees into ‘an enchanted route through the woods, thereby turning the devastation of future fallen trees into incredible art sculptures and carvings’’
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
    “The Mortgage to Rent Scheme is designed to assist homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage arrears. 
    This motion calls on Sligo County Council to request the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to remove the social housing income thresholds as a qualifying criterion for those wishing to avail of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
    “Following the recent publication of the EPA report on the environmental enforcement performance of local authorities in 2024, can the Chief Executive outline what actions are now in place, or planned, to improve the performance of this Council.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “To ask what progress has been made in regard to preparing draft Bye-Laws to regulate the operation of craft on the Garavogue River and Lough Gill.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that the Council at its plenary meeting in May 2021 decided to name the first section of the Western Distributor Road, from Ballydoogan to the new roundabout   “Derrydarragh Line”;  and the second section of the road from the roundabout to the Caltragh interchange as “Knockatoofil Line”; can the Council now be advised as to why the necessary placename signage has not yet been put in place.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “To ask why the public toilet in Rosses Point has been closed and what plans there are to have it re-opened.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council writes to the Minister for Culture and Arts, the Director of the Arts Council, and the CEO of Failte Ireland to ensure country music musicians and groups and comedians are supported like other artists and genres are and that a funding scheme is made accessible to support comedy and country music live events being held.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan:
    “I propose that Sligo County Council write to Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development, requesting funding for the purchase of large generators. These generators would be installed in Emergency Community Response Hubs in the South East and West Sligo areas, which have repeatedly experienced power outages during storms and are likely to be affected by future severe weather. The hubs would provide essential services such as power, phone charging, heating, and shower/wash facilities for residents who could be without electricity for up to three weeks.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan:
    “I propose that Sligo County Council increase its awareness campaign targeting landowners and occupiers to maintain hedges and trees along public roads to enhance public safety. This campaign could utilise a variety of channels including coloured newspaper adverts, social media, and local radio. For example, Donegal County Council successfully carried out a similar awareness campaign on Ocean FM.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    "There were more than 25,000 Bicycle reported stolen in the Republic of Ireland between 2019 and May 2024.  I am asking that this local authority calls on the Minister for Justice, Mr. Jim O’Callaghan & the Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly to bring forward the actual number of successful convictions for bicycle theft in the republic of Ireland during the same period.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council write to Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, T.D. to request that taking into account the expected future population increases and the rise in the number of incidents requiring additional Gardai that he consider the provision of an additional Garda training college to complement the Garda College Templemore in the training of new Gardai and continuous professional development of existing members. 
    And that Sligo be considered as a location for such a college to balance training across the regions.”
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council calls on the Minister for Justice to address the Garda staffing shortfall in the Sligo area due to planned retirements and existing staffing deficits.  We request:
    1. Increased Allocation of Garda Recruits to Sligo County to ensure adequate policing levels.
    2. Improved Pay and Conditions for Gardaí to make the service more attractive for recruitment and retention.
    This Council emphasises the need for urgent action to ensure public safety and maintain effective policing in the Sligo community.”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “That this Council calls on the Minister for Agriculture to:
    1. Increase funding for the Women Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) to enable more women to access grants for farm buildings, equipment, and technology.
    2. Introduce additional measures to encourage more women to take ownership of farms, including support for succession planning and recognition of women’s contributions.
    The Council notes that at a recent Sligo agricultural conference, there was a strong call for more opportunities for women farm owners and seeks the Minister’s response on what steps are being taken to facilitate this.”
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor B. Gallagher:
    “Dissatisfaction with School Bus Service in County Sligo
    That this Council expresses its dissatisfaction with the current school transport service in County Sligo. 
    Ongoing reports from parents, students, and schools regarding unreliability, insufficient capacity, and lack of timely communication in the operation of the service. 
    The Department of Education and Bus Éireann to urgently review the provision of school transport services in County Sligo.
    Additional routes and capacity to be provided where demand exceeds supply.
    A clear and transparent communication system to be established for parents and schools regarding eligibility, routes, and delays.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor B. Gallagher:
    “That Sligo County Council calls on the Roads Department to ensure that no obstruction is allowed along regional and national routes to a sufficient height to allow safe passage for buses, lorries, and other high vehicles.
    This issue is causing damage to vehicles, restricting visibility, and creating safety risks for road users.
    Proper clearance is particularly important on routes regularly used by public transport and commercial vehicles.”
  30. Votes of sympathy.
  31. Votes of congratulations.
  32. To approve the Conference/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:
    a) Letter dated 26th September, 2025 from Ms. Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager re. Sligo University Hospital,
    b) Letter dated 30th September, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. housing grants,
    c) Letter received on 30th September, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration re. Armed Support Unit for Sligo,
    d) Resolution agreed by Limerick City and County Council re. compensation for losses due to ash dieback disease,
    e) Letter dated 29th September, 2025 from Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken re. an A.S.U. (Armed Support Unit) base for Sligo,
    f) Acknowledgement of Vote of Sympathy from the family of the late Maura Bell, R.I.P.,
    g) E-mail from Dr. Cora Stack with Research Policy Paper entitled ‘Arbitration First: A Novel Model for Peace, Fair Resolution and Justice’,
    h) Resolution agreed by Wexford County Council re. the situation along public roads due to ash die-back,
    i) Letter dated 3rd October, 2025 from Dr. Úna May, Sport Ireland Chief Executive re. establishment of a High Performance Pathway income,
    j) E-mail from Ms. Maria Walsh, M.E.P. in reply to resolution relating to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP),
    k) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from Deputy Martin Kenny re. Sligo Primary Care Centres,
    l) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from Deputy Martin Kenny re. M. S. Community workers,
    m) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from Deputy Martin Kenny re.digitised health records,
    n) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from the office of Minister James Browne re. income thresholds for social housing,
    o) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from the office of Minister James Browne re. the Tenant in situ scheme,
    p) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from the office of Minister James Browne re. funding for upkeep of playgrounds and parks,
    q) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from the office of Ms. Helen McEntee, T.D., Minister for Education and Youth re. S.N.A. guidelines,
    r) Letter dated 9th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Mr. Michael Moynihan, T.D. re. N.C.S.E. guidance for S.N.A. reviews – 2025/26 School year,
    s) Acknowledgement dated 9th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Mr. James Lawless, T.D., re. craft-trade apprenticeships,
    t) Copy of resolution agreed by Monaghan County Council re. Nursing Homes and Care facilities for the elderly,
    u) Letter dated 9th October, 2025 from Senator Nessa Cosgrove re. digitalisation of health records,
    v) Letter dated 9th October, 2025 from Senator Nessa Cosgrove re. redesignation of schools,
    w) Acknowledgement dated 10th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health responding to resolutions from October Meeting of Sligo County Council re. i) Primary Care centres in Sligo and ii) Sale of nicotine pouches,
    x) Acknowledgement dated 13th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health, Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D. re. digitised health records,
    y) Acknowledgement dated 13th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health, Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D. re. mental health and wellbeing,
    z) Acknowledgement dated 13th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health, Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D. re. Cervical smear tests,
    aa) Letter dated 13th October, 2025 from Senator Nessa Cosgrove re. delivery of An Garda Síochána Armed Support Base in County Sligo,
    bb) Letter dated 13th October, 2025 from Senator Nessa Cosgrove re. Primary Care Centres in County Sligo,
    cc) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. Post Office network,
    dd) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. Section 39 Workers,
    ee) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. Protection of Retail Workers Act,
    ff) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. Tax Saver Scheme,
    gg) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. Tenant in situ Scheme,
    hh) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. Right to housing in the Constitution,
    ii) Acknowledgement from the office of the Taoiseach dated 13th October, 2025 re. voting rights in Presidential elections,
    jj) Acknowledgement from the office of the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. dated 13th October, 2025 re. M.S. Ireland Community Worker,
    kk) Acknowledgement from the office of the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. dated 13th October, 2025 re. digitised health records in healthcare facilities in Sligo,
    ll) Acknowledgement from the office of the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. dated 13th October, 2025 re. request for an update on Sligo Primary Care Centres,
    mm) Acknowledgement from the office of the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. dated 13th October, 2025 re. increasing pressures on mental health and wellbeing,
    nn) Letter, via e-mail, dated 16th October, 2025 from the office of Mr. Martin Heydon, T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. Teagasc,
    oo) Acknowledgement dated 16th October, 2025 from the office of Ms. Mary Butler, T.D., Minister for Mental Health re. funding for an Early Intervention Youth Mental Health Centre for Sligo-Leitrim,
    pp) Copy of resolution agreed by Galway City Council re. extension of free fares to commercial Bus operators for ‘under-9s’,
    qq) Letter, via e-mail, dated 16th October, 2025 from the office of Mr. Martin Heydon, T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. CAP,
    rr) Letter, via e-mail, dated 16th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. annual allocation for the upkeep of playgrounds and parks under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (U.R.D.F.),
    ss) Letter, via e-mail, dated 16th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. Social Housing Second-hand Acquisitions Programme 2025,
    tt) Letter dated 17th October, 2025 from Ms. Mary Butler, T.D., Minister for Mental Health re. funding for an Early Intervention Youth Mental Health Centre for Sligo-Leitrim,
    uu) Letter dated 17th October, 2025 from Mr. Tony Canavan, Executive Chairperson (Regional Health Forum West) re. hospital shuttle bus, parking spaces and plans for the main entrance of Sligo University Hospital,
    vv) Acknowledgement received on 20th October, 2025 from Sligo-Leitrim Divisional office of An Garda Síochána re. junction of Abbey Street-Castle Street in Sligo town,
    ww) Letter, via e-mail, dated 20th October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health, Ms. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D. re. nicotine pouches,
    xx) Resolution agreed by Wexford County Council re. the EDIT campaign (End Discrimination of Inheritance Tax),
    yy) Resolution agreed by Wexford County Council re. incorporation of ‘Stout’s Law’ into the Dog Breeding Establishment Act,
    zz) Letter, via e-mail, dated 22nd October, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. income thresholds for social housing,
    aaa) Notification from Ms. Sarah Wetherald, Network Manager of Sligo P.P. N. re. Migration and Global Citizenship workshop,
    bbb) Letter from Mr. Finbarr Filan, Chair of Sligo B.I.D. (Business Improvement District) and
    ccc) Letter dated 24th October, 2025 from the office of Mr. Tony Canavan, Executive Chairperson (Regional Health Forum West) re. digitised health records.

  35. Matters arising from Minutes.
  36. Any other business.

Meeting Date 03/11/2025