Agendas 2026

Agenda of May Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held Monday, 11th May 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

Date 5th May 2026

A Chara,

A meeting of Sligo County Council will be held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo on Monday 11th May 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 13th April 2026. (Copy attached).

3. Headed Items

3.1 To note arrangements for Annual General Meeting of Sligo County Council.

3.2 Co-option of Casual Vacancy
a. Filling of casual vacancy in the membership of Sligo County Council and Borough District of Sligo by the co-option of a member of Fianna Fáil in accordance with Standing Orders and Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2001 caused by the resignation of Tom MacSharry.

3.3  To consider the Chief Executive’s Report and Recommendation to proceed with the proposed Social Housing Development at Harte’s Court (Cúirt Uí Airt), Grange Townland, Grange, Co. Sligo pursuant to Section 179(3) and 179(4) of Part XI of the Planning and Development Act 2000. (as amended) (Report attached).

3.4 To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Rathosey”, Coolaney, Co. Sligo (Report attached).

3.5 To consider the Chief Executive’s Report on submissions received in respect of the Draft Variation No. 1 of the Sligo County Development Plan 2024-2030” (Report attached).

3.6 To consider Chief Executive’s Report and Recommendation to proceed with the proposed PART 8 for Carraroe to Cuilbeg Active Travel Scheme (Report previously circulated).

3.7 To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the extension of the lease of property at No. 1A Cranmore Road, Sligo and adjoining plot of land to Cranmore Community Co-operative Society Ltd. by way of a further two-year lease extension (Report previously circulated).

3.8 To adopt Sligo County Council’s Annual Report 2025 (Report to follow).

3.9 To note the Management Report for April 2026 (Report to follow).

4. Notices of Motion

Deferred:

4.1 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy

“That Sligo County Council consider assigning the follow up on road opening licences to the General Services Supervisor GSS in each area who would be in the best position to see any infringement or failure to repair roads as required. This refers to service companies such as but not exclusively ESB, Open Eir and NBI and their requirement to restore roads to the standard they were at prior to the granting of “Road opening Licences”.

New:

4.2 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy

“Sligo County Council called on the European Parliament to ensure CAP funding remains separate from the proposed National Partnership Plans, and that LEADER funding is ringfenced in the next long term EU budget”.

4.3 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:

“I call on Sligo County Council to write to The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to progress the planned national centre for electric vehicle training centre for EV mechanics of the future in the Midlands which was announced in 2023 but plans for the proposed centre in Mullingar have been paused.  Figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) showed that 7,319 electric vehicles were registered in January, surpassing the 7,245 petrol cars sold during the month. 

If the latest trend continues, electric cars will likely outpace the combined sales of petrol and diesel cars this year, but an impending skill shortage could hamper this continued growth with concerns around a lack of technicians qualified to work in the industry”.

4.4 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:

“That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport to remove responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of National Primary Roads that are not Dual Carriageway, Motorway or Bypass standard. That roads that have direct access from Dwellings, Businesses, Schools or local Roads should all be re classified as national secondary roads until upgraded to proper National Road Standards is complete. All National Secondary Roads (Which in this case would include the (N15, N16, N17 and N59) would therefore be removed from the control of TII.

To facilitate this the Minister would also need to assign to the relevant local Authority responsibility for these roads and provide them with the necessary funds to do the works required”.

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

“To call on Sligo County Council to call on the Government to grant a license to open Barryroe Oil and Gas field (located off Co. Cork coast).” 

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

“To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Health to provide a Standalone 24-hour emergency department facility for mental health in Sligo for the Northwest”.

4.7 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D Mulvey:

“I ask Sligo County Council what the position regarding estate residents who seek Speed Ramps installation in private and estates where council houses are located in the interest of safety for young and old residents”.

4.8 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A Higgins:

‘That this Council writes to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to include the shingles vaccine in our National Vaccine Strategy, and to provide it free of charge to those over 65.’

4.9 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A Higgins:

‘To call on the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O Callaghan, to streamline the process of the National Vetting Bureau by providing a unique, permanent, individual applicant number which can be provided to each registered organisation for any subsequent vetting requirements, thereby removing the need for multiple time-consuming vetting applications.’

4.10 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A Higgins:

‘To call on the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O Callaghan, and the Minister for Housing, James Brown, to outline what additional supports will be made available to Local Authorities to deal with the inevitable rise in homelessness arising from the decision to remove state provided commercial accommodation to the 16,000 Ukrainian refugees.’

4.11 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E McSharry:

“That this Council writes to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform seeking an urgent increase in medical card income thresholds, which have not been meaningfully updated since 2007/2008 and remain as low as €184 per week for a single person under 65 and €201.50 for those aged 66–69, despite significant rises in the State pension and cost of living; noting that this leaves many older people and low-income households above the limit but unable to afford care, forcing reliance on discretionary or exceptional needs medical cards; and calling for thresholds to be revised in line with current living costs so that eligibility reflects real income levels”.

4.12 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E McSharry:

“That this Council writes to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Minister for Finance requesting the establishment of a national funding programme to retrofit all public buildings with solar panel infrastructure, with the objective of reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices, lowering long-term operational costs for the taxpayer, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy across the public estate in line with national climate commitments”.

4.13 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:

“Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Justice requesting a review of the current Garda vetting system, with a view to introducing a streamlined process for volunteers, whereby individuals involved with multiple organisations would not be required to undergo repeated vetting applications”.

4.14 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:

“Ask the Director of Services to outline what proposals have the Council to install EV charging points in the county”.

4.15 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:

“Ask the Director of Services to outline what developments are liable for development charges before commencement: A) what is the rate per square meter B) are slatted houses included”.

4.16 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:

“That Sligo County Council calls for a review of the current Garda Vetting system in place in Ireland. Whilst vetting is considered a snapshot of your record at that time, that a more streamlined and integrated vetting system be explored to ensure that the system continues with its robust vetting of the applicant but that it becomes efficient both for the vetting organisation, the applicant and the Department.

That Sligo County Council writes to the Minister for Justice who is responsible for Garda vetting”.

4.17 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor F. Nealon:

“That Sligo County Council, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and other relevant stakeholders develops and resources a dedicated visitor capture strategy targeting US fans travelling to Ireland for the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic and any future NFL fixtures at Croke Park, with the objective of attracting a minimum of 500 of these high-yield US visitors to County Sligo for a stay of two nights or more, built around an integrated package of “Stoat and Oyster festival” entry, guided county tours, premium golf experiences and Wild Atlantic Way activities; and that the Council reports back to members within six months on the strategy, partners engaged, and projected economic impact.

Suggested Actions for the Council

  • Convene a Sligo Capture Strategy working group involving Council tourism staff, Fáilte Ireland and a representative from each of the major Sligo Golf Clubs.
  • Engage with the organisers of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic and NFL Dublin, to position Sligo within the official pre- and post-game tour packages.
  • Develop a co-branded "Sligo Add-On" package combining premium accommodation, golf tee times, guided tours and festival entry, with a single point of booking.
  • Report back to members of the Council within six months on progress, partner commitments and projected impact for the August 2027 fixture”.

4.18 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:

“That this local authority calls on the Minister for Social Protection Daragh Calleary to immediately have public toilet facilities made available in all social welfare offices for public use”.

4.19 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:

“This local authority calls on the Office of the Revenue Commissioner to reinstate the public in-person walk in Tax services that existed prior to COVID”. 

4.20 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:

“That this local authority gives an undertaking that no Disabled bays within the County will be relocated without full consultation with the "DPO" Disabled Person's Organisation, an independent local voice for people with disabilities. Nothing about us without us”.

4.21 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:

“That a report be provided indicating (A) the sum of money paid to private landlords under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme in 2025 (B) the sum of money paid to private landlords under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) Scheme in  2025 (C) the sum of money paid to private landlords under the Long-Term Social Housing Leasing Scheme in 2025.”

4.22 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:

“That a report be provided giving details of all the compensation claims paid by the Council, or its insurers, in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024, the report to include the reason for each claim and the size of the claim awarded; the report to also include a breakdown of legal costs resulting from the claims.”

4.23 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:

“That the meeting be provided with a report indicating where it is proposed that beach wheelchairs will be located during the summer months and outlining the proposals for the provision of any additional beach wheelchairs on Sligo’s beaches.”

4.24 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor L. Brennan:

“I ask for Sligo County Council to provide an update on emergency generators and emergency hubs to be set up in the county following on from Storm Eowyn”.

4.25 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:

“This Council calls on the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance to urgently provide increased budgetary and capital allocations to the Northwest, specifically Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, to expand nurse- and midwife-led services across acute and community settings in response to escalating demand. Latest figures show 903 patients on trolleys in Sligo University Hospital in April alone, an increase of 373 on April 2025 levels, outside of the winter surge, highlighting sustained system pressure. While initiatives such as ICPOP have demonstrated impact in reducing hospital admissions, they require significant scaling alongside enhanced home care hours, additional residential capacity and workforce investment. Notwithstanding the long-awaited 42-bed unit approved seven years ago, this Council emphasises the urgent need for forward planning, including further acute bed capacity, to meet the region’s ageing demographic, where over-65s account for 16% of the population compared to 7% in Dublin, and the associated 19% rise in hospital admissions among those aged over 75”.

4.26 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:

“That Sligo County Council write to the Regulator of the National Lottery, The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to request that all advertising of National Lottery games replaces the words play or playing with Gamble or Gambling due to the excessive amount of people who suffer from Gambling addiction and have had their lives destroyed by such addictions”.

5. Votes of Sympathy

6. Votes of Congratulations

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

8. Correspondence

  1. Acknowledgement email dated 26th March 2026 from the office of Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, regarding mother and baby homes.
  2. Acknowledgement email dated 31st March 2026 from Senator Victor Boyhan regarding mother and baby homes.
  3. Response email dated 31st March 2026 from the office of the Minister for Housing, James Browne TD, regarding rent caps on student accommodation.
  4. Letter of response dated 31st March 2026 from Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Robert Troy TD, regarding insurance reforms.
  5. Response email dated 9th April 2026 from the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, regarding orthopaedic surgeries at Sligo University Hospital.
  6. Letter of response dated 8th April 2026 from the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, regarding extension of the western rail corridor and Sligo Greenway.
  7. Response email dated 16th April 2026 from Senator Nessa Cosgrove regarding letter received from Minister for Children, Norma Foley TD in relation to mother and baby homes.
  8. Acknowledgement email dated 16th April 2026, from the office of the Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment, Darragh O’Brien, regarding schemes for homeowners who cannot afford the upfront payments for SEAI grants.
  9. Acknowledgement email dated 16th April 2026, from Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, regarding funding for post Storm Eowyn clearance of Coolaney mountain bike trials.
  10. Response email dated 16th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, regarding mother and baby homes.
  11. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, regarding the National Anthem as part of the school curriculum.
  12. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, regarding automated red-light camera enforcement at signalised junctions.
  13. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, regarding the staffing schedule for National Schools.
  14. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, regarding the temporary waving of public transport fees.
  15. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, regarding the Triple Lock.
  16. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, regarding incentives for employers in relation to part-time employment for students.
  17. Acknowledgement email dated the 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, Seán Canney TD, regarding automated red light camera enforcement at signalised junctions.
  18. Acknowledgement email dated the 17th April 2026 from the office of the Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Robert Troy TD, regarding motor insurance.
  19. Email response from Uisce Éireann dated 15th April 2026 regarding Wastewater Infrastructure in Sligo.
  20. Email response dated 17th April 2026, from the office of the Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, regarding the National Anthem as part of the school curriculum.
  21. Acknowledgement email dated 17th April 2026, from the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, regarding Ireland’s neutrality.
  22. Acknowledgement email dated 20th April 2026, from the office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, regarding student access to part-time employment.
  23. Acknowledgement email dated 20th April 2026, from the office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, regarding cost of motor insurance.
  24. Acknowledgement email dated 21st April 2026, from the office of the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Kevin Boxer Moran TD, regarding the new Sligo Garda Station.
  25. Acknowledgement email dated 21st April 2026, from the Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD, regarding funding to allow councils to build retirement villages.
  26. Acknowledgement email dated 22nd April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, regarding student access to part-time employment.
  27. Acknowledgement email dated 22nd April 2026 from the office of the Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan TD, regarding Mother and Baby Homes.
  28. Acknowledgement email dated 23rd April 2026, from the office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, regarding a referendum to enshrine the right to housing in the Constitution.
  29. Email dated 24th April 2026, from South Dublin County Council regarding a resolution passed by its Elected Members in relation Bessborough Mother and Baby Institution and the request to hold off development of this site.
  30. Response email dated 28th April 2026, from the office of the Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, Seán Canney TD, regarding road safety.
  31. Email dated 28th April 2026, from Deputy Eamon Scanlon, regarding a parliamentary question raised in relation to the new Garda Station in Sligo.
  32. Response letter dated 28th April 2026, from the RSA, regarding accident black spot signage.
  33. Acknowledgement email dated 29th April 2026, from An Garda Síochána, regarding automated red-light camera enforcement.
  34. Response email dated 13th April 2026, from the Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, regarding seaweed harvesting.
  35. Response email dated 30th April 2026 from the office of the Minister for Housing, James Browne TD, regarding a referendum to enshrine the right to housing in the referendum.
  36. Email dated 1st May 2026 from Monaghan County Council regarding a resolution passed by its Elected Members in relation to the introduction of a business grant to the value of two weeks, to compensate for the loss of business during recent road blockades.

9. Matters Arising

10. Any other business


Meeting Date 11/05/2026