Communications Office

The Communications Office provides information services to the elected members, staff, media and the general public, as well as providing administrative support to the Cathaoirleach.

E-CONTACT

The Communications Office publishes a monthly e-newsletter. ‘eContact’ is circulated to individuals and groups who register their interest online. A “hard copy” of the e-newsletter is also available to those without access to a computer.

TEXT ALERT SYSTEM

On 6 November 2008, Sligo Local Authorities formally launched a “Text Alert” facility to enable people to report traffic management problems around the streets of Sligo. The text messages are relayed via the Communications Office to the Authorities’ Traffic Wardens who respond immediately to the scene of the alert. 

 
- Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley with members of People With Disabilities Ireland, staff of Sligo Borough and County Council and elected members at the launch of the ‘Text Alert’ system.

Initially piloted with People With Disabilities in Ireland (PWDI), the system has now been extended to the wider community, and any member of the public can now report traffic management problems, such as illegally parked vehicles or other obstructions on the town’s footpaths, for immediate attention. This facility is considered a “first” for local authorities in Ireland in terms of traffic management and will enable our Traffic Wardens to respond instantly to the public’s concerns on traffic issues.

RADIO PROGRAMME AND PODCAST

In 2007, Sligo Local Authorities launched a podcast facility for their websites which allows people access a broadcast of news and information on-line and facilitates the provision of news to a listening audience.

The first anniversary of the initiative saw the podcast reach a much wider audience, as local radio station Ocean FM have included it as a scheduled programme on a monthly basis. Called ‘Council Focus’, the programme is broadcast on the second Sunday of every month and a Wednesday evening repeat.

It is hoped that this initiative will greatly increase Sligo Local Authorities ability to convey important information to people who are reliant on this medium. The programme will continue to be available as a podcast on the Sligo Local Authorities websites.

WEBSITES

The Communications Office works with the Information Technology section to maintain and update the Sligo local authorities’ websites. The sites provide on-line access to application forms and guidelines, contact details for all the services, weekly roads report, monthly news digest, and all the current advertisements and recruitment notices. The sites have been upgraded to ensure they are accessible to people with visual impairment and people with co-ordination difficulties, and a newly introduced contact management system means the site can facilitate presentation of the information in other languages.

WEBSITES

The Communications Office works with the Information Technology section to maintain and update the Sligo local authorities’ websites. The sites provide on-line access to application forms and guidelines, contact details for all the services, weekly roads report, monthly news digest, and all the current advertisements and recruitment notices. The sites have been upgraded to ensure they are accessible to people with visual impairment and people with co-ordination difficulties, and a newly introduced contact management system means the site can facilitate presentation of the information in other languages.

 
Members of the National Learning Network receive their certificates, upon completion of the Open Local Government Programme, from Cathaoirleach Councillor Jude Devins

The course is tailored to meet the particular requirements of the group concerned, and can be adapted to image/photo based or text based presentation. The aim of the programme is to create a greater awareness of the Local Authorities’ role in the community, to respond to specific queries raised, and to encourage interaction and engagement between the people delivering the course and the course participants.

CATHAOIRLEACH’S AWARDS

The Cathaoirleach’s Awards Scheme was introduced in 2000 to reward the many volunteers in County Sligo who have given special service to their community. The award winners in 2008 were:

Arts: Roe Finnegan
Environment & Heritage: Paddy Egan
Schools: 6th Class Scoil Ursula, Sligo, and Corran
College, Ballymote
Community (Individual): Michael McDermott and Maurice Monaghan
Community (Group): Carney Ladies’ Group
Sports: Austin Walshe
Special Award: Fr John Carroll

 
2008 Cathaoirleach’s Award Winners with Cathaoirleach Councillor Seamus Kilgannon and elected members

CIVIC EVENTS

The Communications Office co-ordinated arrangements for a number of receptions at County Hall during 2008, including:

• Calry Development Association to honour their services to the local community.
• Fr. Dominic Gillooly on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Ordination.
• Joe Cunningham to honour His Lifelong Services to Irish Traditional Music.
• North Sligo Athletics Club to honour their success in the All-Ireland Club Finals.
• Teachers Union of Ireland – Retired Members Association.
• Young Scientists to honour their success in the 2008 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
• Sligo Community Games Executive Committee to honour their services to Community Games.
• GAA Executive Committee on the occasion of the GAA National Conference, Sligo.
• Sligo Vocational Schools who represented Sligo Vocational Schools Senior County Team All–Ireland and Connacht Inter-County B Champions.
• Coolbock N.S. for their success at the Agri Aware ‘Meet the Spuds’ Competition.
• The Irish Wheelchair Association.
• The Sisters of Nazareth, Sligo, to honour their outstanding service to the community.
• Tom Higgins to honour his Lifelong Service to Tennis.
• Western Drama Festival in celebration of 65 Years.
• Bronagh Kerins and Orla Devaney to honour their selection to represent Ireland on the U-17 Soccer Team.
• Everyman Productions to honour the success of ‘Juno and the Paycock’ in the Isle of Man Easter Festival and the All-British Finals 2008.
• His Excellency Ambassador P. S. Raghavan, Indian Ambassador.
• His Excellency Ambassador David Lee, Taiwanese Ambassador.
• Community Games Participants to honour their achievements in the 2008 Community Games.
• County Sligo Golf Club Male Voice Choir to honour their success in the North Wales Choral Festival 2008.
• Sligo-Leitrim Youths in recognition of their achievement in winning the Boys U16 Section of the Italy Cup 2006.
• Sligo Hurlers to honour their achievement of winning the Nicky Rackard Cup.
• Special Olympics to celebrate 30 Years of Special Olympics Ireland.
• Tubbercurry Golf Club in honour of their fundraising work for the Irish Welfare and Information Centre, Birmingham.

STAY IN TOUCH

To register for news and information updates from Sligo County Council, visit www.sligococo.ie, email communications@sligococo.ie or telephone 071 9111017.