Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

             SECONDED by Cllr Sean McDermott

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Manorhamilton Municipal District Meeting of 22^nd January 2024.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Sean McDermott

             SECONDED by Cllr Padraig Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District on 6^th February 2024.

Acknowledgements were received from the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine in relation to recent correspondence on Garda community engagement vans and the ACRES Scheme, respectively.

Mr. Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer, Roads Department, outlined the Schedule of Municipal District Works for the Manorhamilton MD for 2024. Mr. McGovern gave an overview of the allocation for the Municipal District in terms of Housing, Tourism and Economic Development, Environmental Services and Recreation and Amenities. The allocation has increased across all service divisions, with the exception of Environmental Services which remains the same. 

Mr. Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer gave a detailed outline of the various road grants under the 2024 Roadworks Scheme including the discretionary maintenance grant, restoration maintenance and improvement grants, bridge rehabilitation grants, active travel and low-cost safety improvement grants. Mr. McGovern highlighted that the road works programme remains similar to the 2023 programme with variations in budget across each category.

Discussions followed between the members on the specific details of the programme and proposals for the inclusion of works in the 2025 programme.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Sean McDermott

SECONDED by Cllr Mary Bohan

It was AGREED to approve the allocation of funding under the Schedule of Municipal District Works, to include the Area Programme 2024, as circulated to the Members.

I have recently been made aware of the issues with the access road into St. Clares National school by the principal. The principal has applied for Clár funding in the past to resurface the carpark and entrance but was unsuccessful. Surely the department of Education and the Local Authority can come up with a solution as it is presenting a serious Health and Safety risk to children, parents and teachers. I am asking for engagement between the Local Authority and the principal to get this funded immediately.

I have recently been made aware of the issues with the access road into St. Clare’s National school by the principal. The principal has applied for Clár funding in the past to resurface the carpark and entrance but was unsuccessful. Surely the department of Education and the Local Authority can come up with a solution as it is presenting a serious Health and Safety risk to children, parents and teachers. I am asking for engagement between the Local Authority and the principal to get this funded immediately.

Report by Roads - General

"Since 2022 safety measures for schools are no longer eligible for Clár funding. Funding for safety works to schools is available under both the Safe Routes to School Programme/the Active Travel Programme operated by the Department of Transport/TII. However, this would be on public property. The department of Education should have a funding stream for works within the school property."

Cllr Felim Gurn highlighted the bad condition of the carpark and questioned who is responsible if a child falls and has as serious injury.

Terry McGovern confirmed that as the road is private, it is not eligible for repairs under the road works programme.

Cllr Felim stated contact should be made with the  Dept of Education in relation to its state of repair.

I have just been made aware of the first case of mica in the Manorhamilton municipal area and I ask Leitrim County Council and our Local TDS to get this case highlighted for funding like the cases in Donegal, Sligo and Mayo. It is important that this case is considered for funding under the national “Mica schemes.”

"I have just been made aware of the first case of mica in the Manorhamilton municipal area and I ask Leitrim County Council and our Local TDS to get this case highlighted for funding like the cases in Donegal, Sligo and Mayo. It is important that this case is considered for funding under the national “Mica schemes.”

Cllr Felim Gurn confirmed that the deadline has passed for inclusion in the Micra Redress Programme. Currently households must bear the cost of up to €8,000 to get their house tested for mica.

Cllr Justin Warnock stated that should there be evidence of houses in Leitrim affected by mica, then Leitrim cannot be excluded from the redress scheme.

Cllr Padraig Fallon highlighted that blocks coming from other jurisdictions may have been used in the construction of houses in Leitrim.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Padraig Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr Felim Gurn

It was AGREED to write to the four TDs in Leitrim and the Minister for Housing to get this case highlighted for funding like the cases in Donegal, Sligo and Mayo.

Further to previous motions, correspondence and meetings with the active travel section of the local authority I am seeking confirmation that the bus shelter sites have been identified in Drumkeeran. I am asking for a timeline to be given for commencement and completion of same.

"Further to previous motions, correspondence and meetings with the active travel section of the local authority I am seeking confirmation that the bus shelter sites have been identified in Drumkeeran.  I am asking for a timeline to be given for commencement and completion of same."

Report by Roads - General

"The design drawings are currently with the NTA for approval. Once approved LCC will instruct the appointed contractor to commence construction immediately."

Cllr Padraig Fallon expressed his satisfaction with the response and thanked the Roads and Active Travel staff for their persistence in getting the works approved.

I ask the area engineer when works will commence on the R289 Kilcoon, Dromahair and if an estimate of the duration of the works can be given.

"I ask the area engineer when works will commence on the R289 Kilcoon, Dromahair and if an estimate of the duration of the works can be given."

Report by Roads - General

"Investigations are still ongoing regarding an appropriate course of action, initial examinations indicate that there will be significant costs involved, site investigation works will be procured in the near future to inform and develop feasible options for reinstatement of the road. Leitrim County Council continues to liaise with the department of Transport regarding the necessary funding. Currently there is no defined program or start date for the reinstatement works, Leitrim County Council is hopeful of developing the preferred option and commencing works in the summer of 2024."

Cllr Padraig Fallon highlighted that the road experiences heavy traffic and significant costs are envisioned to complete the works.

Terry McGovern confirmed that a geotechnical engineer has been employed and the options are currently being reviewed. The budget for the works will be significant due to the very steep nature of the rockface. Once the options report is complete it will be submitted to the Department for consideration of funding.

I ask if directional signage can be provided at locations off the Kilty/Glenfarne regional road R281 which links on to the B52 Belcoo to Garrison road at (1)Aghavanny Road (2)Cashel Road and (3)Kilcoo Road. Fermanagh/Omagh District Council have directional signs for the Cashel and Kilcoo roads leading into Leitrim.

"I ask if directional signage can be provided at locations off the Kilty/Glenfarne regional road R281 which links on to the B52 Belcoo to Garrison road at (1)Aghavanny Road (2)Cashel Road and (3)Kilcoo Road. Fermanagh/Omagh District Council have directional signs for the Cashel and Kilcoo roads leading into Leitrim."

Report by Roads - General

"This request will be investigated to see if an appropriate signage layout can be implemented."

Cllr Sean McDermott asked that Eric Gilroy contact Omagh Council to install signage on the Northern Ireland side of the road.

 I ask for a directional sign to be provided at ''Leitrim Stone'', Glenfarne, indicating the location of St Michael's Church and school as a lot of traffic going to the church and school for the first time ends up going down the cul-de-sac.

"I ask for a directional sign to be provided at ''Leitrim Stone'', Glenfarne, indicating the location of St Michael's Church and school as a lot of traffic going to the church and school for the first time ends up going down the cul-de-sac."

Report by Roads - General

"Signage will be installed at this location as requested."

Cllr Sean McDermott welcomed the response.

As the burial ground / cemetery in Kinlough reaches capacity and no land is available to the Church for extending, I ask Leitrim County Council to acquire lands for a burial ground and in it, to provide a Columbarium wall for the loved ones of those who get cremated.

"As the burial ground / cemetery in Kinlough reaches capacity and no land is available to the Church for extending, I ask Leitrim County Council to acquire lands for a burial ground and in it, to provide a Columbarium wall for the loved ones of those who get cremated."

Report by Roads - General

"Leitrim County Council can provide Grant assistance to the local community/parish council under the burial ground policy, this can include for the acquisition of lands required to extend the graveyard. Leitrim County Council are currently looking at revising the burial ground policy to include for Columbarium walls."

Cllr Justin Warnock stated that the churches in Kinlough would not be taking on the development of a new graveyard. He highlighted that the population of Kinlough has increased significantly through development and investments in the area over the years and Leitrim County Council will have to deliver additional capacity for burials.

Terry McGovern highlighted that under the graveyard policy grand aid is available for the purchase of land to provide additional burial grounds. The new graveyard policy will go before the SPC and will include the inclusion of Columbarium walls.

Cllr Justin Warnock reiterated that neither the Church of Ireland nor the Catholic Church in Kinlough are in a position to purchase land.

I ask for the support of the elected members in calling on the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Tony Canavan REO, HSE West and North West to immediately reopen the Day Care Centre at Our Lady's Hospital in Manorhamilton. This centre has now been closed for 5 years to the detriment of a large number of older and vulnerable people with extra needs in our community and they feel betrayed and abandoned by the HSE.

"I ask for the support of the elected members in calling on the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Tony Canavan REO, HSE West and North West to immediately reopen the Day Care Centre at Our Lady's Hospital in Manorhamilton. This centre has now been closed for 5 years to the detriment of a large number of older and vulnerable people with extra needs in our community and they feel betrayed and abandoned by the HSE."

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined that the service has been removed and not replaced. He stated that it is a disgraceful way to treat older people, by terminating the service.

Cllr Mary Bohan expressed her frustration at the HSE at operating slight of hand tactics in using COVID-19 to remove the service and then terminating the service completely.

All members supported the motion.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Justin Warnock

SECONDED by Cllr Mary Bohan

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Tony Canavan REO, HSE West and North West to immediately reopen the Day Care Centre at Our Lady's Hospital in Manorhamilton.

I ask that Leitrim County Council examine the possibility of providing some car parking spaces near the supermarket at the bottom of Dromahair town. This area is extremely congested on a daily basis and is a nightmare for any through traffic to navigate.

"I ask that Leitrim County Council examine the possibility of providing some car parking spaces near the supermarket at the bottom of Dromahair town. This area is extremely congested on a daily basis and is a nightmare for any through traffic to navigate."

Report by Roads - General

"Provision of additional car parking spaces will be subject to land acquisition and funding availability, currently there is no funding stream for procurement of additional parking facilities at this location."

Cllr Frank Dolan highlighted that parking is a nightmare on a daily basis with large vehicles not being able to get through the village. This issue needs to be kept on the radar of the Council, however the acquisition of land can prove difficult.

I ask who will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the green areas provided in the recent pavement works recently carried in Manorhamilton.

"I ask who will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the green areas provided in the recent pavement works recently carried in Manorhamilton."

Report by Roads - General

"The roads section is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all areas within the public road."

Cllr Frank Dolan requested that the areas need to be maintained at least once a fortnight. He added that there is no capacity from the Tidy Towns to take on this additional maintenance work.

All members supported the motion.

I propose that the Council consider the possibility of providing traffic calming/safety measures at the entrance to the Greenway opposite St. Felim’s Nursing Home in Dromahair.

"I propose that the Council consider the possibility of providing traffic calming/safety measures at the entrance to the Greenway opposite St. Felim’s Nursing Home in Dromahair."

Report by Roads - General

"This location will be assessed and considered for inclusion in the list of low-cost safety schemes applied for funding annually to the department."

Cllr Mary Bohan outlined that residents often use the greenway as part of their exercise; however, the level and speed of traffic pose a danger to them.

I propose that Leitrim Co. Council call on the Minister for Health and the HSE to immediately provide adequate resources for the following services for children in Leitrim:

1. OT and Speech and Language in Primary Care.

2. Paediatric Physiotherapy.

3. Urgent measures needed to reduce delays in all services in the Child Development Network Team.

"I propose that Leitrim Co. Council call on the Minister for Health and the HSE to immediately provide adequate resources for the following services for children in Leitrim:

1. OT and Speech and Language in Primary Care.

2. Paediatric Physiotherapy.

3. Urgent measures needed to reduce delays in all services in the Child Development Network Team."

Cllr Mary Bohan highlighted that a number of these services have very long waiting lists in Leitrim. There is currently no physiotherapist in Leitrim resulting in substantial waiting lists.

With record levels of money in this country it is unfathomable how vital health services are failing with longer waiting lists than ever before.

All members supported the motion.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

SECONDED by Cllr Justin Warnock

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and and the HSE to immediately provide adequate resources for the following services for children in Leitrim:

1. OT and Speech and Language in Primary Care.

2. Paediatric Physiotherapy.

3. Urgent measures needed to reduce delays in all services in the Child Development Network Team."

The members wish to extend their sympathies to the families of Patrick Heffernan, Drumshanbo and Jonathan Keaney, Kiltyclogher on their recent loss. 

This concluded the business of the meeting at 15:30