Minutes:
1. Letter from the HSE dated 8th November 2021 confirming they are not in a position to attend Council meeting on 10th January 2022.
2. Email of 9th November 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Health acknowledging receipt of resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on health care services.
3. Letter from the OPW dated 11th November 2021 acknowledging receipt of resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on the Shannon Flood Management.
Councillor Brendan Barry said there is an issue with the Jamestown weir, and it is not functioning properly and thereby causing issues in Leitrim Village and Carrick. Funding was to be made available for the weir and he proposed that a more specific letter issue in this regard.
Mr Shay O’Connor said the Jamestown weir works properly but the gates are not lifted high enough. Detailed discussions are currently taking place with Waterways Ireland and Mr O’Connor confirmed he will keep Councillor Barry informed and there is no need to write to Waterways Ireland on this matter.
4. Email of 15th November 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Health acknowledging receipt of resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on day care services in County Leitrim.
5. Resolution passed by Sligo County Council calling for support in conjunction with Tusla, Department of Children and Equality and the Gardai to establish an appropriate and safe Refuge Centre for victims and survivors (mainly women) of domestic violence in Sligo and surrounding area.
Councillor Des Guckian noted the correspondence.
6. November newsletter from the County Leitrim Society of New York.
7. Acknowledgement from the Office of the Taoiseach in receipt of Resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on HAP rent limits.
8. Letter from the Office of the Taoiseach acknowledging receipt of Resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on prospecting licenses.
9. Email of 2nd December 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Finance regarding the difficulty facing the community sector in obtaining insurance coverage.
10. Resolution passed by Galway County Council dated 29th November 2021: Boycott on goods from occupied territories.
11. Email of 6th December 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme limits.
Councillor Brendan Barry noted the rent increase in Leitrim of 17% in the past 12 months.
12. Resolution passed by Sligo County Council in regard to prospecting license to Flintridge Resources (Galantas) for almost 50 townlands in North Leitrim.
13. December newsletter from the County Leitrim Society of New York.
14. Resolution passed by Sligo County Council asking the Minister for Rural and Community Development to increase the funding under RRDF Fund from 75% to 90% for the local authorities in the North & Western Regional Assembly area, now identified as a region in transition to ensure that projects can be funded at local level.
15. Letter from Irish Rail dated 13th December 2021 regarding the early morning Commuter Rail Services from Longford.
16. Letter from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans.
Councillor Des Guckian noted this correspondence.
17. Letter from the OPW dated 16th December 2021 regarding resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on managing flood risk on the Shannon Catchment.
Councillor Des Guckian outlined that there should be one body overseeing the Shannon and that 17 is far too many and this leads to inefficiencies.
Councillor Sean McGowan concurred with Cllr Guckian’s view. He acknowledged that many pinch points have been dealt with south of Athlone, but a lot have yet to be dealt with.
18. Resolution passed by Donegal County Council asking the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the restoration of Section 140 motions by Councils.
19. Email of 20th December 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding resolution passed by Leitrim County Council on leave provisions for employees experiencing pregnancy loss.
20. Resolution passed by Monaghan County Council calling on the Department of Justice to take full responsibility for the policy and government of the state’s Coroner Service and to ensure that in the event of a sudden unexpected death, death by suicide, car accident, drowning etc. that a full weekend post-mortem service be provided.
21. Resolution passed by Galway County Council calling on the Minister for Finance to extend the help-to-buy incentive scheme for at least five more years after he has carried out his review in 2022.
22. Resolution passed by Louth County Council supporting the campaign of Epilepsy Ireland to address long-standing issues that continue to impact people with epilepsy and their families in Ireland.
23. Email of 23rd December 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Health acknowledging receipt of Resolution passed by Leitrim County Council in regard to the re-opening of day care services.
Other matters raised under meeting Correspondence
High Dependency Unit for South Leitrim
Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn queried if there was any update from the HSE on the provision of a High Dependency Unit in South Leitrim, which she and Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke have raised motions on last year. She proposed that the elected members who attend the HSE Forum meetings raise this issue at their next meeting.
Insurance Cover for Community Playgrounds
Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn proposed that Leitrim County Council contact IPB in relation to insurance for community playgrounds. Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn referred to the Community Group in Gortletteragh that have received funding from LEADER towards their playground development project and are unable to get insurance for it.
Funding Announcement for Drumshanbo
Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed the funding announced for Drumshanbo under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund. Councillor Enda McGloin paid tribute to Mr Joseph Gilhooly and his team for their involvement in this successful funding application.