Agendas 2026

Agenda of February Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held Monday, 9th February 2026 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

071-9111111

3rd February 2026

A Chara,

A meeting of Sligo County Council will be held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo on Monday 9th February 2026 at 10.00am for the purpose of considering the business set out on the Agenda hereunder.

You are hereby invited to attend.

In accordance with Statutory Provisions, the Register of Chief Executive’s Orders will be available for inspection at the meeting.

Please be reminded that this meeting will be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s website. You should be aware that the Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the General Data Protection Regulations (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018 and data collected during this webcast will be retained in accordance with the legislation.  Therefore, by entering the Council Chamber or by joining the remote Team Meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings in the Council’s webcasting activities. 

Recording by anyone in the Chamber other than by the Council’s official broadcasting system is strictly forbidden unless prior consent for same is obtained.

Mise, le meas,

Sinéad Branley
Meetings Administrator

 

Agenda

1. Declaration of Interests/Conflict of Interest

2. Confirmation of Minutes

2.1      To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 12th January 2026. (Copy attached).
2.2      To note Minutes of Sligo/Drumcliff MD Meeting held on 10th November 2025 (Copy attached).
2.3      To note Minutes of Sligo Borough District MD Meeting held on 10th November 2025 (Copy attached).
2.4      To note Minutes of SPC2 – Climate & Infrastructure Meeting held on 2nd October 2025 (Copy attached).
2.5      To note Minutes of SPC 1 – Housing & Governance Meeting held on 10th September 2025 (Copy attached).
2.6      To note Minutes of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District Meeting held on 17th November 2025 (Copy attached).

3. Headed Items

3.1 To receive a presentation on the Pathfinder Project.
3.2 To consider the Chief Executive’s Report on the Part 8 for the Decarbonisation project at Sligo County Hall and Sligo Fire Station, St. Anne’s Place, Abbeyquarter North, County Sligo (Report attached)
3.3 To adopt the Annual Service Delivery Plan 2026 (Report attached).
3.4 To note the recommendations of the Arts Grant Awards 2026 Assessment Panel (Report to follow).
3.5 To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of the freehold interest in property at No. 1161 Killure, Aclare, Co. Sligo to Leo Gaughan (Notice previously circulated).
3.6 To approve the attendance of a delegation from Sligo County Council to attend the St. Patrick’s Day engagements in New York (Report attached).
3.7 To note report of Ethics Registrar under Section 174(b) of the Local Government Act, 2001 (Report attached).
3.8 To consider Freedom of the County Request (Report attached).
3.9 To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of freehold interest in the ESB sub-station site and associated cable wayleaves to ESB Networks at Collooney Townland, Collooney Co. Sligo (Notice previously circulated). 
3.10 Continuation of Sligo Business Improvement District (BID). 
(i) That Sligo County Council approves continued implementation of a Business Improvement District Scheme as submitted by the proponents, Sligo BID CLG.  The BID scheme will operate from 1st March 2026 to 28th February 2031, and which will be financed in whole or in part by BID contribution levies; and
(ii) That Councillor Arthur Gibbons continue to serve as a Director of Sligo BID CLG
3.11 To note the Management Report for January 2026 (report to follow).

4. Notices of Motion

Deferred:

To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:

4.1 “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.”

New:

4.2 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
“I call that Sligo County Council show its support for the reforming of the legislation to Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offence) Act 2001.  Many hard-working tradesmen and women who are fully supportive of this measure. They have spoken of the loss of income and disruption to their employment and service to customers when thieves target their livelihood.  The reform to amend the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offence) Act 2001 been brought forward would introduce a mandatory minimum custodial sentence for serious theft-related offences involving work equipment, where the theft directly prevents someone from earning an honest living.  The need for a minimum three-year sentence is warranted to deter thieves from targeting hard working people, often self-employed, who suffer expensive losses when they must replace stolen tools and machinery.  The need for the bill to be reformed would be welcomed especially by electricians, plumbers, carpenters, other tradespeople, and small businesses.  Tradespeople live and work in every community and always provide great services to those who need it. They deserve as much support as possible. Under the proposed legislation, where an adult is convicted of theft, burglary, aggravated burglary, robbery or handing stolen property of work equipment, a court would be required to impose a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment and that the sentence may not be suspended beyond 18 months. The theft of tools and work equipment isn’t a victimless crime. For tradespeople, contractors and sole traders these thefts can shut down their ability to work instantly”.
4.3 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
“I call on Sligo County Council to write to TFI Transport for Ireland and the Minister for Transport to include students attending College in the Free travel scheme. Many college students face the burden of daily bus fares, and for some, these costs are simply too high. Providing them with free travel would be a significant help, especially during these times of increasing expense on families. Last year the TFI Leap Card was extended to include free travel for children up to the age of nine years of age”. 
4.4 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
“I ask that Sligo County Council run a campaign on local radio and print media calling for people to submit information on changes of address etc where a property is receiving polling cards prior to election time for people who no longer live there with a view to Sligo County Council using this information to update the register of electors”.
4.5 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillors F. Nealon, T. MacSharry, D. Bree, G. O’Boyle, A. Gibbons & A. Higgins:
“Noting the list of Bus Stops being advanced in 2026 as communicated by Director of Services Jim Molloy - that this Council acknowledges that not one of the 21 stops being funded this year is in the Sligo-Strandhill municipal area.  That the Council will seek to rectify this omission and work with urgency towards providing bus shelters in the areas of most need in the borough district of Sligo-Strandhill.”
4.6 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“That this Council call on the Minister of Social Protection to urgently review the taxation on Carers allowance/carer's benefit payments to recipients where applicable, and exclude them from taxation on these payments, as they are 'Carer’s', as it’s not a wage for them, but an allowance.”
4.7 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“This Council call on Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for urgent action on endometriosis services and real delivery of the HSE National Framework for Endometriosis. The minister must focus on practical delivery and immediate improvements for patients, including:

  • Progress update and accountability on implementing the HSE National Framework for Endometriosis (October 2025), including deliverables for 2026
  • Improving access to diagnosis and care, including consistent GP referral pathways nationally and reducing diagnostic delays
  • Introducing national imaging and diagnostic standards and increasing radiology expertise for endometriosis imaging/mapping
  • Ensuring quality and consistency in surgery outcomes, including audit and quality assurance
  • Increasing specialist capacity and multidisciplinary staffing across centres
  • Reforming access to the EAISI scheme, tackling barriers to referral and inconsistent practices, and ensuring an escalation pathway where referrals are refused
  • Exploring expansion of EAISI options to include additional EU centres, including Romania and Greece, subject to clinical governance and quality standards, as an interim measure to reduce harm and long waiting times
  • Improved supports outside surgery including mental health supports, pain management, physiotherapy and nutritional supports
  • Education and training, including workforce capacity planning and mandatory training/CPD

One of the most urgent issues is that women are being left with no option but to travel abroad.  The EAISI scheme must be accessible, consistent, transparent and timely.  It cannot be acceptable that patients”.
4.8 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That Sligo County Council notes that a motion supporting the Year of Care campaign was formally adopted earlier last year, recognising maternal wellbeing as a key community health issue and committing the Council to supporting its aims through the Healthy Ireland framework.
This Council expresses concern that no funding has been allocated or reserved in 2025 to progress actions arising from that motion.
Accordingly, this Council calls on the Executive to:

  • Identify and allocate appropriate funding, including from Healthy Ireland or Community Wellbeing budgets, to support at least one Year of Care–aligned initiative in County Sligo; and
  • Ensure that actions arising from the adopted motion are implemented within the current or early 2026 programme, in line with the Council’s stated policy position.”

4.9 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“That this Council recognises the ongoing difficulty faced by Special Needs Assistants in securing permanent employment despite years of experience and dedication, notes the negative impact of repeated fixed-term contracts on job security, wellbeing and workforce retention, and calls on the Department of Education to urgently review SNA recruitment and contract practices to increase access to permanent positions, improve transparency, and ensure experienced SNAs are given fair and meaningful opportunities for secure employment”.
4.10 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“That Sligo County Council provide an update on the recently allocated €25,000 to Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) on the installation of a beach shelter and shower units”.
4.11 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“Aware that for over six years, the Forsa trade union has engaged in good faith with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) through detailed reports, proposals, and a WRC process; and aware that despite this, there has been no meaningful action to establish appropriate professional structures for ICT roles within local authorities; Sligo County Council supports the call of Forsa, for a sector-wide review of ICT grading and pay, benchmarking ICT roles against other professional groups and public sector bodies where equivalent roles are graded higher, in addition to the establishment of a national CPD (Continuing Professional Development) committee for these workers, a joint body to oversee career paths, training, and skills development, in addition to a nationally agreed framework for out-of-hours work.”
4.12 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:
“That this Council supports the ICT workforce in all local authorities, who are looking for proper grading, a clear career path and recognition of the responsibilities they carry.
We support the establishment of:

  • Clear professional recognition of ICT as a distinct discipline
  • Appropriate career, capability, and progression structures
  • A sustainable ICT function, underpinned by nationally agreed professional frameworks for how ICT services are delivered and supported, capable of supporting both local and national digital services. 

 4.13 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That this Council writes to The Minister for Children Disability and Equality and An Taoiseach that they

  • Recognise the serious harm suffered by women and children in Mother and Baby Homes, County Homes and related institutions
  • Notes that over 1,090 babies and children died at Sean Ross Abbey, and that many burial locations remain unknown
  • Notes that this issue is also relevant locally, including Sligo County Home / St. John’s Hospital and boarded-out child records
  • Expresses concern at the continued sealing of State records relating to Mother and Baby Homes and the Ryan Report, denying survivors and families access to the truth

       And calls on the Government to:

  1. Investigate and excavate burial sites where children are believed to be buried
  2. Unseal institutional records and provide survivors and families access to their own information
  3. Extend redress to all survivors, without exclusion.

And agrees to forward this motion to all TDs and Senators and other councils”. 
4.14 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
“Can the Tourism Manager outline the current strategy/action plan for attracting both domestic and international visitors to Sligo throughout 2026”.
4.15 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
“As the special scheme of paid leave for public health sector employees suffering from Long-COVID expired on December 31st, , this motion calls on the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to introduce a long-term support scheme to recognise and support healthcare workers who continue to experience long-COVID”.
4.16 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“That Sligo County Council request clarity from Uisce Eireann on Wastewater Infrastructure in County Sligo;

  1. what timelines are in place for new wastewater treatment systems which have funding committed,
  2. what plans Uisce Eireann have to provide an upgrade of the treatment systems which are at capacity”.

4.17 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on Sligo County Council for an updated report on the Air to Water heating system that is installed, including:

  • Feedback from tenants regarding air to water compared to heating oil or solid fuels 
  • Repaired time on breakdown when the system fails 
  • Cost savings been made by tenants
  • Cost to the Council to install this system 
  • Are tenants instructed on how to use the system
  • How many have been installed to date”

4.18 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That this Council writes to The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill and Mary Butler Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health to provide details of how often the Child & Adolescent Mental Health In-patient Unit, Merlin Park University Hospital have been full to capacity or exceeded Capacity since the beginning of 2025, and to also confirm how many children and adolescents have been referred to the Unit in 2025 and how many were not admitted as requested by their physician.
That the three Sligo Members of the Regional Health Forum West bring this to the next available meeting and report back to the members of this council on the reply they receive”.
4.19 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“Aware of the threats of Artificial Intelligence generated material and recent controversy involving the X platform and the Grok AI Assistant, Sligo County Council carry out a review of Social Media Policy and consider if after such a review the council should cease the use of a particular social media platform”.
4.20 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“Considering reports of anti-social behaviour and intimidation of individuals in both Private and Social Housing locations that Sligo County Council carry out a review of CCTV Policy and target locations where persistent reports of such behaviour occur to protect Tenants and property owners from such behaviour and discourage such anti-social behaviour”.
4.21 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
Temporary bus stops are not a long-term solution, so I am asking that this local authority write to the NTA to ascertain when will the infrastructure be put in place for Permanent bus stops along all bus routes throughout the county in order to allow wheelchair users full accessibility.
4.22 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
That this local authority Roads department would bring forward a plan of action to supply communities on request, with grit or other alternative material to alleviate the dangerous conditions brought about during frosty weather.
4.23 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
Given the average acceptance rate nationally for CAMHS to end November 2025 was approximately 57%, the concerns around referral thresholds between CAMHS teams, and the current waiting list in CAMHS currently and the lengthy time young people are waiting for ADHD Assessments; that Sligo County Council write to the Minister of State at the Department of Health, the Minister for Health, the Chief Executive of the HSE and ask them to urgently revise the model that is in place to ensure no child or young person`s mental health is negatively affected from being on a waiting list CAMHS.

5. Votes of Sympathy

6. Votes of Congratulations

7. Approval of Training/Conferences/Summary of Proceedings of Conferences Attended

8. Correspondence

  1. Email response dated 7th January 2026 from the office of Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills regarding the Ambulance and Training facility base for Sligo.
  2. Email response dated 7th January 2026 from TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) regarding National Road Projects in Sligo.
  3. Email response from the office of Deputy Eamon Scanlon, TD regarding National Road Projects in Sligo.
  4. Email dated 9th January 2026 regarding confirmation of Q1 AILG 2026 Elected Member Training Programme.
  5. Letter from the office of John Cummins T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning dated 9th January 2026 in relation to the Council’s request for funding to (1) assist in maintaining services to address the challenges in the region, and (2) to develop initiatives at a local level to assist with the increasing cost of living.
  6. Letter dated 12th January 2026, from the Office of John Cummins T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning regarding staffing levels in Sligo County Council.
  7. Email dated 12th January 2026 from AkiDwA Ireland enclosing Invitation to event: Migrant Women’s Mental Wellbeing Conference Tuesday, 27 January 2026 Sligo.
  8. Email dated 14th January 2026 from AILG regarding OPR-Webinar-Electricity Transmission & Distribution: The Challenges and Opportunities.
  9. Cover letter from Senator Nessa Cosgrove dated 14th January 2026 and email response from the office of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD dated 7th January 2026 regarding Primary Care Centres, Tubbercurry, Nazareth House & Collooney.
  10. Letter dated 15th January 2026 from Darren Clarke, Private Secretary to the Minister at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport re support for funding for Country Music & Comedy Events.
  11. Correspondence dated 16th January 2026 from Seán Collins M.A. enclosing invitation to Elected Members to attend Drogheda Civic Trust Summer School 8th - 10th May 2026 organised in conjunction with Louth County Council.
  12. Acknowledgement email dated 16th January 2026 from the office of the Minister for Education and Youth, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton TD, regarding pay parity for school secretaries and caretakers.
  13. Email dated 19th January 2026 from the Office of Marian Harkin TD and Minister of State regarding the Western Rail Corridor.
  14. Acknowledgement email dated 19th January 2026 from the Office of the Minister for Health Jennifer Carrol MacNeill TD regarding the base for the new HEMS Helicopter.
  15. Acknowledgement email dated 19th January 2026 from Malcom Byrne TD regarding the renaming of Dublin Airport.
  16. Acknowledgment email dated 20th January 2026 from the Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr. Simon Harris TD, regarding strengthening protection for renters.
  17. Acknowledgment email dated 20th January 2026 from the Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr Simon Harris TD, regarding the abolition of all further Taxes on Diesel, Petrol, Gas, Home heating oil & Coal.
  18. Acknowledgment email dated 20th January 2026 from the Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr Simon Harris TD, regarding CETA.
  19. Acknowledgement email dated 20th January 2026 from the Office of Mr. James Browne TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding seeking an increase in funding for the Housing Adaptation Grant 2026.
  20. Acknowledgement email dated 20th January 206 from the Office of Mr. James Browne TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the enforcement of rental standards and tenant supports.
  21. Acknowledgement email dated 21st January 2026 from the office of the Minister for Education and Youth, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton TD, regarding school secretaries and caretakers.
  22. Acknowledgement email dated 21st January 2026 from the Office of Mr. James Browne TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a funding strategy for local authority extensions/attic conversions in overcrowded social housing properties.
  23. Acknowledgement letter dated 16th January 2026 from the Office of the Minister for Education and Youth regarding school places for children with additional needs.
  24. Acknowledgement letter dated 19th January 2026 from the Office of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment regarding CETA.
  25. Acknowledgement letter dated 20th January 2026 from the Office of the Taoiseach, Michéal Martin, TD regarding insurance reforms.
  26. Acknowledgement letter dated 20th January 2026 from the Office of the Taoiseach, Michéal Martin, TD regarding suspension of work on the Greenway.
  27. Email and attachments dated 22nd January 2026 from Deputy Eamon Scanlon, TD regarding Sligo/Leitrim Autism support services.
  28. Letter dated 22nd January 2026 from Tipperary County Council regarding a resolution to the Minister of Transport requesting the introduction of legislation to ensure the compulsory wearing of hi visibility jackets by all E-Scooter and E-Bike users.
  29. Email and attachments dated 27th January 2026 from Eir in relation to the (1) unused/no active phone line cables be removed from poles, and (2) active amount of phone lines in the County, and (3) replacement of old poles in the County, and (4) redundant lines, and (5) moving of poles where road safety works have been undertaken by Sligo County Council.
  30. Email response dated 27th January 2026, from Deputy Eamon Scanlon, TD regarding Parliamentary Questions on the 22nd January 2026 in relation to when Sligo County Council will receive its 2026 funding allocation.
  31. Email response dated 29th January 2026, from the office of Mr Simon Harris, TD, Minister for Finance regarding reimbursement of Residential Zoned Land Tax paid by Sligo County Council.
  32. Letter dated 22nd January 2026 from Offaly County Council regarding a resolution calling on the Government to instruct party MEPs to oppose the adoption of the Mercosur Trade agreement.
  33. Email response dated 29th January 2026, from the office of Minister James Browne, TD, in relation to what funding strategy can be put in place to enable the local authority to build extensions/convert attics for additional bedrooms for families in overcrowded council housing.
  34. Email response dated 29th January 2026, from the office of Minister Norma Foley, TD, in relation to IPAS residents in Globe House Sligo.
  35. Email response dated 29th January 2026, from the office of Minister James Browne, TD, in relation to seeking an increase in the Housing Adaption grant for 2026.
  36. Acknowledgement email dated 30th January 2026 from the Office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Mr Jim O’Callaghan, TD, in relation to a joint collaboration with the Government of Northern Ireland to ensure seamless investigation and recovery of stolen property.

9. Matters Arising

10. Any other business


Meeting Date 09/02/2026