Agendas 2025

Agenda of the December Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday 1st December, 2025 at 10am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 9111111

25th November, 2025

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held

ON:  Monday, 1st December, 2025

AT:  10.00 a.m.

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

You are requested to attend.

Sinéad Branley
Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To note Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee (S.P.C.) 3 (Live Invest Visit) meetings held on a) 25th February, 2025, b) 22nd May, 2025 and c) 17th September, 2025. (Copies attached)
  2. To note Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee (S.P.C.) 4 (Placemaking) meeting held on 17th June, 2025. (Copy attached)
  3. To note minutes of Twinning Committee meetings dated a) 26th June 2025, and b) 1st September 2025. (Copies attached)
  4. To note Minutes of Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on a) 8th September 2025 and b) 6th October 2025 (Copies attached)
  5. To note Minutes of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District meetings: a) Meeting held on15th September, 2025 and b) Budget meeting held on 20th October, 2025. (Copies attached)
  6. To note Minutes of Borough of Sligo Municipal District meetings:  a) Meeting held on 15th September 2025 and b) Budget Meeting held on 20th October 2025. (Copies attached)
  7. To note Minutes of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District meetings:   a) Meeting held on 29th September, 2025 and  b) Budget Meeting held on 20th October, 2025. (Copies attached)
  8. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 3rd November, 2025. (Copy attached)
  9. To confirm Minutes of Sligo County Council’s Statutory Budget Meeting held on 17th November, 2025. (Copy attached)
  10. To note
    1. Report of Sligo County Council Audit Committee on the Statutory Audit Report of year ended 31st December 2024 and
    2. Minutes of Audit Committee held on 10th June 2025.  (Copies attached)
  11. To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Millview Park”, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo. (Copy attached)
  12. To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Meadowbrook Estate”, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. (Copy attached)
  13. To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Cluain Sí”, Collooney, Co. Sligo. (Copy attached)
  14. To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as “The Meadows”, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. (Copy attached)
  15. Pursuant to Section 14 of Statutory Instrument 166/2007 nominate a Member or Members to attend the opening of the ballot box following the holding of a plebiscite to determine the level of support for a proposed Sligo Business Improvement District (BID).
  16. To consider the Chief Executive’s Report prepared on foot of the publication of the Section 28 Planning Guidelines - ‘NPF Implementation – Housing Growth Requirements. (Copy to follow)
  17. NOAC Local Authority Performance Indicator Report 2024. (Report to follow)
  18. Update from Corporate Policy Group regarding Council Meetings.
  19. To consider requests for Civic receptions.
  20. To agree a schedule of Meeting Dates for 2026.
  21. To consider setting a date for a meeting with E.S.B. Networks.
  22. To note the Monthly Management Report for November 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.”
  3. 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.”
  4. 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.”
  5. 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.”
  6. 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?”

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “Can the Council please outline its plans for lifeguard recruitment this year, taking into account the challenges experienced last season where beaches had no lifeguard available at various times.  What are the Council’s plans to support lifeguard recruitment and retention for the 2026 summer season, do they intend to fully sponsor lifeguard training and is there an intention to review remuneration to ensure this is an attractive option for summer work for young people? Can the Council please advise on timelines for applications and training.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to write to Minister Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to ask what can be done about the speed of energy retrofitting homes under the warmer home scheme and calls that the SEAI needs to act on the timelines surrounding retrofitting when applying for the grant especially for our elderly and most vulnerable.

    The current delay between application and survey completion is adding to frustration by homeowners in fuel poverty.

    Figures from the S.E.A.I. show applicants are now being advised that it may take up to 14 months just to have a survey carried out, with overall completion times extending beyond two years.  People are struggling with high energy costs – most of whom are elderly, living alone and in receipt of the fuel allowance.  To ask them to wait over two years for basic insulation or heating upgrades is simply unacceptable, the impacts of energy poverty extend beyond just financial burdens – it also takes a toll on health and overall wellbeing of people.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to write to Irish Rail to provide an evening train out of Dublin between 5.05 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. services, or to put additional carriages on the 5.05 p.m. service.

    The evening service departs Dublin at 5.05 p.m., arriving in Sligo at 8.23 p.m. which is usually packed to capacity with many commuters left standing which is unfair and not safe.  The next train departs Dublin Connolly at 7.32 p.m. and arrives in Sligo at 10.37 p.m.

    This means if workers/students miss the 5.05 p.m. service they have to sit and wait two and a half hours for the next train and with so many commuters who cannot get accommodation in Dublin using the service, this is unacceptable from Irish Rail.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I ask Sligo County Council to give an update on long awaited improvement works needed at Lugawarry along the N59 following yet another recent R.T.A. 

    Residents and road users face daily dangers along this section of road, which is extremely busy, yet T.I.I. seem to have forgotten about it.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillors A. Gibbons and T. Healy:
    “That this Council recognises that:
    the reunification of Ireland is an objective of Bunreacht na hÉireann; and,
    there is a growing national discussion around constitutional change with people from diverse backgrounds now exploring the possibility of Irish unity;
    notes that:
    the Good Friday Agreement 1998 provides the democratic and peaceful means to achieve reunification through the provision of unity referendums;
    the significant Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement report "Perspectives on Constitutional Change: Finance and Economics", recommends the establishment of Citizen Assemblies and other relevant forums, a designated Joint Oireachtas Committee and a Government Department to take responsibility for planning and preparing for constitutional change, received cross-party support;
    and will write to the Office of An Taoiseach, seeking the Irish Government to plan and prepare for Irish unity, through the following actions:
    establish an all-island representative Citizens' Assembly or Assemblies, to allow for informed debate, and a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Irish Unity to enable careful planning;
    produce and publish a plan towards Irish unity in conjunction with civic society and key stakeholders;
    engage with northern protestant and unionist opinion about the future of Ireland; and
    work to secure a date for the referendums on unity provided for in the Good Friday Agreement.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this Council write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Department of Transport to seek;
    1. A full update on the status of the N15 (Sligo to the Leitrim border) in the National Development Plan (NDP), including clarification on its inclusion, current progress, and any indicative timelines for advancement.
    2. A detailed progress report on the planned safety improvement works/ road realignment on the N16 between Barroe and Rathbraughan, outlining the current stage of the project, expected delivery timelines, and any factors that may be causing delays.
    3. An update on the N17 project, specifically seeking confirmation of its current stage within the planning and design process and when the works are expected to proceed to tender.
    That this motion be sent to the 4 Sligo Leitrim T.D.s“
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “Sligo County Council call on the government to take a clear stand against the Mercosur Trade Agreement at the EU Council meeting as this agreement is damaging to the EU Agriculture sector and in particular to the Irish beef and poultry sectors as well as been harmful to the environment on a global scale and damaging to the health of consumers.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, T.D. to reconsider the government's position on energy credits for so many families that are in food and heat poverty.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    I call on Sligo County Council to write to The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, T.D. to call on his government to reject Mercosur.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
    “That this Council opposes the exclusion of trade in services in the Occupied Territories Bill and writes to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, calling on her to include a ban on trade in services in the Government's proposed OTB with immediate effect.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
    “A recent report by the ESRI highlighted that 80% of Short Term Lets (STL) listed on Airbnb in Sligo are Entire Property Listings. This accounted for 428 entire units being listed in Sligo which was a 30% increase between 2019-2023.

    The Residential Tenancies Act 2019 requires STL hosts in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) to apply for change of use planning permission where a) they rent out their own principal private residence (PPR) for more than 90 days per year or b) they let out any non-PPR property i.e. any second property that is not their main residence as a STL for any length of time” (ESRI 2025). As the entire country is now designated a RPZ can Sligo County Council confirm:
    A)     How many of the listed Short Term Lets in Sligo have applied for planning permission to legally change the use of these properties and
    B)     What actions are being taken or are planned by Sligo County Council against illegal short term lets.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
    “Following reports of vandalism and suspicious behaviour, this motion requests that Sligo County Council, in association with partners such as Coillte, consider the installation of CCTV cameras in all of the car parks of County Sligo’s Forest Walks to ensure a safe experience for all residents and tourists visiting our outdoor amenities.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given that the N59 Corhownagh to Lugnadeffa realignment is shovel ready for five years and that no funding has being received in recent years and given that the N17 only received one million in 2025 to progress the project, I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin T.D., to commit to providing funding for the N59 and to give assurance that N17 will receive the funding to be completed  not like the N59.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    “The Ursuline College Sligo building project was approved in principle 11 years ago and was given the go-ahead under former Minister Norma Foley in 2021, yet it remains stalled at Stage 2B with no progression to tender. The school—serving over 750 students and is operating in ageing and inadequate facilities that no longer meet the educational or infrastructural standards required.

    Therefore, I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Education and Youth to direct the Department to immediately release the required capital funding and allow the project to proceed to tender without further delay.

    Furthermore, to write to all Sligo–Leitrim TDs and junior ministers, asking them to urgently seek a meeting with the Minister to expedite this long-overdue project.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
    That Sligo County Council:

    Writes to the Minister for Health, H.S.E. C.E.O., Tony Canavan and Hospital Manager Grainne McCann requesting that the new 42-bed healthcare block in Sligo be named after Linda Kearns MacWhinney.

    Notes that she was a Sligo-born nurse, revolutionary, and senator who advanced nursing, social care, and public service, and whose contributions are often overlooked.

    Requests that the correspondence highlight the importance of recognising women who shaped health and inspire future generations.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council call on the NTA to meet with members again to discuss various issues with bus services in Sligo.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan:
    “I propose that Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Hayden and Minister of State, Michael Healy Rae, to engage with ESB Networks to develop a solution allowing ESB personnel safe and timely access to repair power lines and maintain required corridor widths in forestry plantations. I further request that ESB personnel be authorised to access forestry lands in cases where landowners cannot be contacted. Addressing this issue would significantly reduce power outages and speed up repair times.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan: 
    “a) I propose that Sligo County Council write to ESB requesting that they provide a dedicated direct contact line for elected members to report and receive updates on faults and outages in local areas, similar to the system provided by Uisce Éireann. Local representatives receive a large volume of calls during power outages, and timely information would ensure that communities are not left without updates during power outages.
    b) I ask Sligo County Council to reply to a letter received by Mr. Kevin Staunton, Area Manager for E.S.B. networks, dated 07th November, inviting him to address the Council in early 2026 to update Councillors on the work the ESB have undertaken this year and their plans for PR6 (price review) for the Sligo area as offered and suggested in his letter.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “Following my motion of 8th April 2025 that Sligo County Council provide an further update on all planned walk/trail developments and upgrades including the Garavogue River Walk from Queen Maeve Square to Lough Gill, the Lady Anne Trail from the hospital to Hazelwood, the Ray Flynn Walk and the Hazelwood Footbridge.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council give an update as to what monies have been spent on external consultants under the Active Travel Programme initiative in Sligo, each year, since the programme was launched in 2020.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That following extensive analysis of the national commercial vacancy rate figures given by Geo Directory carried out by Sligo County Council and Sligo BID. A report be given to members to reflect the actual vacancy rate figures for Sligo and how these have been conveyed to Geo Directory to avoid the inaccurate reporting of recent years.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council confirm if any of the projects for County Sligo Currently on the National Development plan are being deprived of funding or are these projects progressing as planned subject to annual budget commitments.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council confirm what impact if any the new “Microsoft Teams” Calls procedure will have on communications between Council officials and members or the general public. Can the council also confirm if the effect of this new procedure on older people contacting the council has been assessed and tested.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority calls on the Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton, to provide warm hot lunches in all secondary schools within the state as a matter of urgency.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “To call on this government to introduce robust anti-crime policy for communities affected by lawlessness and anti-social behaviour.”
  26. Votes of Sympathy.
  27. Votes of Congratulations.
  28. To approve the Conferences/Training events as circulated.
  29. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  30. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 28th October, 2025 from the National Apprenticeship Office,
    2. Letter dated 23rd October, 2025 from the Darcy family acknowledging a Vote of Sympathy,
    3. Acknowledgement dated 31st October, 2025 from the office of Ms. Helen McEntee, T.D., Minister for Education and Youth re. an inclusive education system,
    4. Acknowledgement dated 31st October, 2025 from the office of Mr. Michael Moynihan, T.D., Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion re. MGLD (Moderate General Learning Disability) schools,
    5. Resolution agreed by Members of Donegal County Council re. Emergency Household Response Pack,
    6. Letter dated 5th November, 2025 from the office of Mr. Michael Moynihan, T.D., Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion re. MGLD (Moderate General Learning Disability) schools,
    7. Letter, via e-mail, dated 5th November, 2025 from the office of Ms. Marian Harkin, T. D. re. an inclusive education system
    8. E-mail dated 6th November, 2025 from Mr. Martin Kenny, T.D. re. ambulance training base for Sligo,
    9. Letter dated 3rd November, 2025 from Ms. Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager of Sligo University Hospital re. digitised health records,
    10. Acknowledgement dated 6th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health re. ambulance and training facility base for Sligo,
    11. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of Minister Healy-Rae re. Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park,
    12. Letter dated 7th November, 2025 from Mr. Kevin Staunton, Area Manager, E.S.B. networks re. works in preparation for upcoming winter season,
    13. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Education and Youth re. school bus services in Sligo,
    14. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. funding for horse racing and greyhound racing,
    15. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. WFCIS (Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme),
    16. Copies of resolution agreed by Kerry County Council re. inheritance tax,
    17. Acknowledgement dated 10th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion re. bus services,
    18. Acknowledgement dated 10th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration re. bicycle theft,
    19. Acknowledgement dated 10th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration re. provision of an additional Garda training college,
    20. Acknowledgement dated 10th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration re. Garda recruitment,
    21. Letter dated 11th November, 2025 from Ms. Fiona Murphy, Chief Executive of the National Screening Service re. cervical smear tests,
    22. Acknowledgement dated 11th November, 2025 from the office of the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána re. successful convictions for bicycle theft,
    23. Acknowledgement dated 11th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Finance re. rejection of Government’s budget,
    24. Acknowledgement dated 11th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Finance re. abolition of property tax on the family home,
    25. Acknowledgement dated 11th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht re. purchase of generators,
    26. E-mail dated 11th November, 2025, together with reply to his Parliamentary Question, from Mr. Eamon Scanlon, T.D. re. Community workers for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
    27. Letter dated 13th November, 2025 from Mr. Michael Healy-Rae, T.D. re. Cloonmahon native woodland park,
    28. E-mail dated 12th November, 2025, together with reply to his Parliamentary Question (P.Q.), from Mr. Martin Kenny, T.D. re. new ambulance base and training facility for Sligo,
    29. Letter dated 12th November, 2025 from the office of Mr. Martin Heydon, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. animal welfare legislation,
    30. Acknowledgement dated 12th November, 2025 from the office of Mr. James Browne, T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. reimbursement of costs associated with storm Éowyn,
    31. Acknowledgement dated 12th November, 2025 from the office of Mr. James Browne, T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage re. qualifying criteria for Mortgage to rent scheme,
    32. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of the Taoiseach re. abolition of property tax on the family home,
    33. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of the Taoiseach re. cross-border theft of farm machinery,
    34. Acknowledgement dated 7th November, 2025 from the office of the Taoiseach re. cost of living/rejection of Government’s budget,
    35. Copy of resolution agreed by Leitrim County Council re. habitual residence clause for Carers’ allowance,
    36. Copy of resolution agreed by Leitrim County Council re. re alternative to the Leaving Certificate programme,
    37. Acknowledgement dated 11th November, 2025 from the office of the Taoiseach re. cost of living crisis,
    38. Acknowledgement dated 11th November, 2025 from the office of the Taoiseach re. abolition of property tax,
    39. Reply from the H.S.E. to Deputy Martin Kenny dated 17th November, 2025 re. Sligo Primary Care Centres,
    40. Acknowledgement dated 19th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister for Health re. re. cervical smear tests,
    41. Copy of resolution agreed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Couty Council re. the sale of Israeli war bonds,
    42. Letter dated 21st November, 2025 from Dr. Moling Ryan, Interim Director of ‘The Arts Council’ re. funding of country music and comedy,
    43. Letter dated 21st November, 2025 from Ms. Martina Lennon, General Manager, H.S.E. outlining the position of Sligo Leitrim Mental Health Service (SLMHS)
    44. Acknowledgement dated 24th November, 2025 from the office of Minister Jack Chambers re. Budget 2026,
    45. Letter dated 25th November, 2025 from the office of the Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion regarding school bus services in Sligo &
    46. Copy of response to Parliamentary Question submitted by Mr. Martin Kenny, T.D. in relation to digitised health records.
  31. Matters arising from Minutes.
  32. Any other business.

 


Meeting Date 01/12/2025