Sligo County Council gets green light from Minister Coveney to hire new staff – McLoughlin

Fine Gael TD for Sligo/Leitrim, Tony McLoughlin, has received confirmation from the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, that he has given Sligo County Council the green light to hire much needed new staff.

“For some time now I have been highlighting the staffing shortages faced by Sligo County Council, which are having detrimental effects on the county. Over the past week I have held a number of meetings with Minister Simon Coveney on this issue.

“Today I have been informed that the Minister has lifted a staffing cap and has given Sligo County Council the go ahead to hire new staff, as required by the Council. The Council has outlined over 80 posts which it wishes to fill.

“This will come as a great relief to Sligo County Council and the people of Sligo. Cuts to staff and the services they provide have been having a devastating effect on the functioning of the Council and its ability to conduct its statutory obligations and implement Government policy.

“The severe staff cuts have hit a number of services in the county, including: Sligo’s main central library, the HAP Payments Scheme and the Councils ability to reach its targets for implementing the Government’s Housing Capital Program. As a result of the staffing problems, the Council’s Laboratory was forced to close, as was the Council’s Motor Tax office. The Council’s ability to maintain our local roads was also hit, as there are not enough road workers to conduct basic road maintenance throughout the County.

“While I do understand the need for every Local Authority to be able to balance its books, it is vital that Sligo County Council has adequate staff to provide the services needed by the people. Today’s news will be very welcome in Sligo.”