Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire

             SECONDED by Councillor Sean McGowan

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of 15th November 2021

1.         Letter from Martin Collum, General Manager, HSE Services for Older Persons received 3rd December 2021 in relation to queries regarding Mohill Social Day Care Centre.

Councillor Sean McGowan said he was not accepting the reply received and insisted that this be pursued with Mr Martin Collum, General Manager, HSE.

Councillor Des Guckian said this issue has to be pursued and queried the comparison in the cost of the provision of these services in Arus O’Carolan with the costs in Ballinamore Primary Care Centre.  Councillor Guckian said he did not understand the reference made in the correspondence to Leitrim Development Company.

Councillor Des Guckian sought clarification on how members who are not part of the Regional Health Forum can raise queries with the HSE.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said she wishes to have a conversation with the Leitrim Development Company and the Active Age Officer on this topic.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said both herself and Councillor Paddy Farrell have raised this issue at 2 separate monthly meetings of the Regional Health Forum and the reply they have received is the same as the one received now by the members of this Municipal District meeting. Councillor Armstrong McGuire outlined that, 3 elected members of Leitrim County Council sit on the Regional Health Forum and raise whatever issues are necessary to the Forum.

Councillor Paddy Farrell said it is important to keep on top of this issue as the Day Care Services in Carrick-on-Shannon are also cut.  Councillor Farrell acknowledged that sending people to Ballinamore from Mohill is not good enough.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said he was very disappointed with the reply.  Councillor Mulligan said the problem relates to the layout of the Day Care Centre in Arus O’Carolan and minor works could rectify the problem.  

Councillor Mulligan said many people who use the service are over 90 years of age and would much prefer to come into Mohill.  Councillor Mulligan said he can’t see any good reason, economic or otherwise why this service cannot be put in place in Mohill again.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan welcomed the fact that the HSE have tidied up around the front of Arus O’Carolan in the last few days and he said if he had met the team on site when this work was been carried out, he would have requested more works around Arus O’Carolan Nursing Home.   Councillor Thomas Mulligan said he concurred with the views of the members and said he will not let this go until this service is back in Mohill.

Ms Mary Quinn gave a presentation on the Housing Action Plan 2022-2026, as circulated to the members and she confirmed this Housing Action Plan will be submitted to the Department by 17th December 2021. The total social housing units to be delivered over the lifetime of the plan is 139 units.

Councillor Guckian queried where the funding was coming from for the delivery of Housing as set out in the plan. Councillor Guckian said he opposed the plan, as it was totally inadequate and confusing, and he said there was no provision for a hostel for homeless persons in Carrick-on-Shannon.  There was no clear reference to an apartment block, and he sought clarification if an apartment is equivalent to a house.  Councillor Guckian said there should be more housing provided directly by the Council. Councillor Guckian sought clarification the legality of taking over vacant properties.

In reply to the queries raised by Cllr Guckian, Ms Quinn responded as follows:

•          Funding, which is a very significant amount, will come from the Government

•          The Housing Action Plan is based on the template provided by the Department.

•          It is not a matter for the members to adopt the Housing Action Plan.  All local authorities develop a Housing Delivery Action Plan for submission to the Department, that sets out details on how it is intended to meet the social housing delivery targets over the period 2022-2026.

•          The plan sets out that all social housing will be delivered directly by the Local Authority.

•          Each individual apartment is considered a housing unit.

•          The purpose of this plan is for the delivery of 139 social housing units over the period 2022 – 2026 and therefore it is not appropriate for the provision of homeless accommodation to be included in this plan.  A Regional Homeless Action Plan is being put in place which will address homeless accommodation.

•          Suitable vacant properties will be purchased and turned into units for accommodation. 

Ms Samantha Healy said the Housing for All, the Government Housing Plan, states the need for a regional response to homelessness. It is expected that a regional plan will be prepared in the first quarter of 2022.

Councillor Sean McGowan sought an update on the homeless person in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Councillor Sean McGowan also referred to the focus on 1 & 2-bedroom units in new Local Authority build projects and queried if the persons allocated to these units would be giving up family homes for smaller units.

Ms Quinn said the profile of persons on the Leitrim housing list reflects a need for 146 units of 1 & 2-Bedroom property types. The housing list also reflects a need of 36 units of 3 & 4-bedroom properties. Ms Quinn said there was little demand from persons wishing to downsize their property.

Ms Mary Quinn said she cannot comment on specific homeless situations, however she assured the members that there is no person in Carrick-on-Shannon sleeping homeless that has not been offered permanent housing accommodation in their area  ...  view the full minutes text for item CMD.150.21

The members agreed that the next meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District would take place on Monday, 17th January 2022 at 10 am via MS Teams in line with the public health guidelines.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian;

"That the dangerous situation along the high and narrow Mullagh to Derrybrack road L7464-0 be lessened by the erection of steel crash barriers on both sides and the erection of signage to indicate the presence of the junction with the road L7466-0."

Report by Roads – General

"Restoration works on this public road is now complete. The road wide will not allow for the erection of a crash barrier. We have erected delineators to indicate the road narrowness to the road user. We will erect junction signs/stop signs at the L-7466."

Councillor Des Guckian noted that today 6th December marks the anniversary of the split in Charles Stewart Parnell’s, Irish Parliamentary Party and it is also the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

Councillor Des Guckian said this road is needed to get over the Shannon, it has been raised to mitigate against flooding and it looks a good job, but it is not safe.  Councillor Des Guckian proposed the erection of steel crash barriers on both sides of the road, and he proposed that the crash barriers that have being taken down at Drumsna could be put up at this location. Councillor Guckian asked if the steep embankments on either side of the road could be built up. Councillor Guckian said the erection of signage to indicate the presence of the junction with the road L7466-0 would provide safety for road users especially for people who are not familiar with the road.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion and said the road was raised significantly and there is a huge fall off on either side and this poses a danger if anyone went off the road. Councillor McGowan asked that the road is banked up on both sides, as it is very dangerous.

Councillor Paddy Farrell supported the motion and said it needs attention and noted there are no banks on either side.

That the Council, again, take steps to tackle the growing threat of a rat infestation along a drain passing through Cloonshebane which comes from near Hartley Business Park, on the edge of Carrick-on-Shannon, to near Hartley Shannon Bridge. There is now a major threat to public health in this area.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian;

"That the Council, again, take steps to tackle the growing threat of a rat infestation along a drain passing through Cloonshebane which comes from near Hartley Business Park, on the edge of Carrick-on-Shannon, to near Hartley Shannon Bridge. There is now a major threat to public health in this area."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"Leitrim County Council reported the matter to the HSE and the Environmental Health Officer carried out a site visit on Friday 26th November and found the estate in general to be well maintained. They noted the water level in the open drain was quite high which would push nesting rodents to higher ground, and possibly closer to residences. The Officer advised that a general advice letter will be issued to the residences of the estate in the coming days, and the office will be making contact with the Residents Association recommending securing the services of a competent pest control company.

The Council’s Waste Enforcement Office has informed the residents of the rodent issue and has issued a household waste management survey to residents in the area to identify mismanagement of waste, as this may be contributing to the rodent problem. The Community Warden also visited the Cluain Si estate last week but did not observe any obvious mismanagement of waste.

Irish Water are engaging pest control services to bait the sewer networks and the pumping station."

Councillor Des Guckian said the reply implies that part of the rate infestation problem is due to the mismanagement of waste from residents in the area. Councillor Guckian said this issue came up previously over a year ago at this same location and steps were put in place and it seemed to have sorted the issue. Councillor Des Guckian said he feels this growing threat of a rat infestation in this area is originating from nearby Hartley Business Park, on the edge of Carrick-on-Shannon, and he said there seems to be a smell of sewage from the Hartley Business Park that has not been tackled. Councillor Guckian said the residents in the area are very law abiding and do not want to see rats close to their doors and he said this is now a major threat to public health in this area. Councillor Des Guckian said the Council should show they are serious about this and will not allow for this to continue.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said this issue has been reported to the HSE and the Environmental Health Officer and he will inform the Environment Department of Leitrim County Council of the information provided by Councillor Guckian in relation to the problem stemming from Hartley Business Park.

I ask when the footpaths at the Leitir Gheal area of Carrick will be attended to. They are in need of attention as are footpaths at some house entries on Summerhill. Works done some months ago left footpaths at houses much worse than they had been.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;

"I ask when the footpaths at the Leitir Gheal area of Carrick will be attended to. They are in need of attention as are footpaths at some house entries on Summerhill. Works done some months ago left footpaths at houses much worse than they had been."

Report by Roads – General

"We will repair the damaged section of footpaths as part of our current works at this location"

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said Irish Water carried out works in front of houses in the Leitir Gheal area and left them in a bad condition.  Cllr Armstrong McGuire welcomed the reply to her motion and looked forward to the footpaths being improved.

Councillor Des Guckian supported the motion and said he had raised a motion a year ago regarding lighting on this laneway and he hoped that the lighting will be addressed in conjunction with the current works at this location.

Councillor Paddy Farrell also supported the motion.

The closure of the bottle bank at Priests Lane should not have occurred without the new location being made available. Can this be done ASAP, and can we be assured that in future if relocation is being done the new location is well publicised prior to closure of the old.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;

"The closure of the bottle bank at Priests Lane should not have occurred without the new location being made available. Can this be done ASAP, and can we be assured that in future if relocation is being done the new location is well publicised prior to closure of the old."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"The Environmental section will move these bottle banks to a new location at the rear of the fire station within the public car park."

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire welcomed the new space for the bottle bank, and she said she hoped it is kept in a mint condition.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire proposed that in future when a new bottle bank space is being provided, it is available for use before the old space is closed and that the relocation is really publicised.

I seek the support of members in calling on Iarnrod Eireann to engage with Roscommon County Council and the Cortober Residents with a view to finding a solution to the ongoing problem of providing a much-needed car-park at Carrick on Shannon Railway station.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;

"I seek the support of members in calling on Iarnrod Eireann to engage with Roscommon County Council and the Cortober residents with a view to finding a solution to the ongoing problem of providing a much-needed car-park at Carrick on Shannon Railway station."

Councillor Sean McGowan said this is a long ongoing saga and he has been contacted by residents in Cortober regarding the very limited carparking spaces available at Carrick-on-Shannon Railway station.  Councillor McGowan said ESB have a small piece of ground where they are willing to give towards the provision of a carpark for the railway station.

Councillor McGowan said there is a new housing estate being developed at this location and the residents feel when the carpark at the train station is full, rail users will start parking at this new housing estate.

Councillor Paddy Farrell supported the motion and said it is dangerous and if there is adequate land to make a carpark it should be progressed.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said Carrick-on-Shannon Railway station is the main station serving Carrick-on-Shannon town and it is important that the train is used and additional lit up carparking spaces should be provided.

Councillor Des Guckian and Councillor Thomas Mulligan supported the motion.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Sean McGowan

             SECONDED by Cllr. Paddy Farrell

It was AGREED to call on Iarnrod Eireann to engage with Roscommon County Council and the Cortober residents with a view to finding a solution to the ongoing problem of providing a much-needed carpark at Carrick on Shannon Railway station.

I ask District Engineer, Darragh O’Boyle, what is the up to date position with regard to repairs being carried out on the damaged parapet wall on the bridge over the Rynn River on the Tooman- Mohill road at Tooman.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;

"I ask District Engineer, Darragh O’Boyle, what is the up-to-date position with regard to repairs being carried out on the damaged parapet wall on the bridge over the Rynn River on the Tooman- Mohill road at Tooman."

Report by Roads – General

"The bridge at Toomans has been submitted to the Department as part of Leitrim County Council proposal for the 2022 bridge rehabilitation program."

Councillor Sean McGowan said he hoped that this damaged parapet wall on the bridge over the Rynn River on the Tooman – Mohill road at Tooman will be repaired in 2022 and he asked for an update on same.

Mr Sean Vesey, Executive Engineer said if Leitrim County Council get the funding this work will be started in 2022. Mr Vesey said funding was sought for this last year and was unsuccessful.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan supported the motion and he added that the bridge over the  Lurga river is also in need of repair. 

I call on the District Engineer, Darragh O’Boyle, to investigate the dangerous junction coming off the L-3413-0 down by the hospital on to the L3408-0 Castlecara Road as visibility on the right is very restricted.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy Farrell;

"I call on the District Engineer, Darragh O’Boyle, to investigate the dangerous junction coming off the L-3413-0 down by the hospital on to the L3408-0 Castlecara Road as visibility on the right is very restricted."

Report by Roads – General

"We will note this junction for possible funding under low-cost safety or Active Travel Junction works. These possible schemes are subject to landowners agreeing to junction improvement works."

Councillor Paddy Farrell noted the response given to his motion. 

I request that Leitrim County Council cleans the drains and rivers as soon possible around Lough Rinn where the new footpaths are been installed.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy Farrell;

"I request that Leitrim County Council cleans the drains and rivers as soon possible around Lough Rinn where the new footpaths are been installed."

Report by Roads – General

"The district Office envisage spending the Leitrim County council drainage funding on the Lough Rynn catchment area in 2022 along the OPW prescribed drainage channels. This funding is rotated between Carrick and Mohill areas. In 2021, we carried out drainage on the Eslin River OPW prescribed channels."

Councillor Paddy Farrell asked that all drains and rivers leading into Lough Rynn are cleaned along where the new footpaths are been installed.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan and Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion.

Councillor Sean McGowan said the drain that runs alongside the road at Lisdadnan should be cleaned. A commitment was given 2 years ago to do this work and he is hopeful it will be carried out.

Councillor Des Guckian queried if the existing pipes in the road culverts are big enough to carry the volume of water.

Mr Sean Vesey said the drains have been assessed and are deemed to be adequate.

Due to the inadequate funding for the cleaning and maintenance of the “Rinn and Blackwater “and the “Eslin Headford” rivers, I am calling on Deputy Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for State at the Dept of Public Expenditure to make provision for cleaning/maintenence works at three locations on the Rinn and Blackwater drainage system (ie Mohill, Creenagh and  Tooman) and in the townland of Killamaun on the Eslin Headford river.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas Mulligan;

"Due to the inadequate funding for the cleaning and maintenance of the “Rinn and Blackwater“ and the “Eslin Headford” rivers I am calling on Deputy Patrick O Donovan,

Minister for State at the Dept of Public Expenditure to make provision for cleaning/maintenence works at three locations on the Rinn and Blackwater drainage system (ie Mohill, Creenagh and Tooman) and in the townland of Killamaun on the Eslin Headford river"

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said there are several pinch points in urgent need of attention at the following locations Rinn and Blackwater drainage system (ie Mohill, Creenagh and  Tooman) and in the townland of Killamaun on the Eslin Headford river. Councillor Thomas Mulligan said Leitrim County Council should make a special once off request to Minister Patrick O’Donovan to make a provision for cleaning/maintenance works.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion and said it was a very good motion, as Leitrim County Council do not have sufficient funding to do these works and funding is needed from the Minister. 

Councillor Des Guckian also supported the motion.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr.Thomas Mulligan

             SECONDED by Cllr. Sean McGowan

It was AGREED to call on Deputy Patrick O Donovan, Minister for State at the Dept of Public Expenditure due to inadequate funding for the cleaning and maintenance of the “Rinn and Blackwater “ and the “Eslin Headford” rivers to make provision for cleaning/maintenence works at three locations on the Rinn and Blackwater  drainage system (ie Mohill, Creenagh and  Tooman) and in the townland of Killamaun on the Eslin Headford river.

I ask the District Engineer to rectify a flooding problem on the R201 at Crowe’s Sawmill which is causing a residence to be flooded during heavy rainfall.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas Mulligan;

"I ask the District Engineer to rectify a flooding problem on the R201 at Crowe’s Sawmill which is causing a residence to be flooded during heavy rainfall."

Report by Roads – General

"No drainage alterations or drainage works have been carried out at this location. All dwellings need to have separate catchments at their entrance to prevent any road drainage issues."

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan gave the background to his motion and asked that this flooding problem be dealt with immediately.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan wished everyone a very Happy Christmas for the festive season.