Council offices will be open but appointments necessary
FOLLOWING the announcement by the government of Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions, Sligo County Council has confirmed that its offices will be open after the Christmas holidays on Monday, January 4, but with restricted access.
A council spokesperson said that in the interests of public health and safety, local authorities across the country would be obliged to provide their services in a different way, and in line with current public health guidance, visits to council offices will be by prior appointment only.
Sligo County Council cathaoirleach Cllr Dara Mulvey and acting chief executive Tom Kilfeather have urged the people of County Sligo to contribute to the national effort in the critical days and weeks ahead.
The cathaoirleach said: “We understand that the new restrictions are a huge imposition on people at this time of year, and every sector of our society will find the coming weeks and months very challenging. We appreciate the difficulties this will cause for our customers and the wider community, but we will do all in our power to ensure we continue to deliver our key services effectively within the new guidelines.” Cllr Mulvey stressed the importance of continuing to follow the advice on hand washing, cough etiquette, social distancing over the coming weeks. “The primary objective is the welfare of all our citizens, and we must ensure the most vulnerable in our community are supported,” he said. Acting chief executive Tom Kilfeather said: “While access to our offices will be restricted in the new year, customers will be able to make appointments and our staff are contactable by phone and email and many of our services are provide online.” He said that the government announcement addressed the issue of the economic and social impacts of the new restrictions, and it was confirmed that a ‘double-rate’ of Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) will be paid to businesses that were forced to close on December 26, and it was also confirmed that commercial rates relief will apply for affected areas for the first quarter of 2021.
While Sligo County Council will be open for business from January 4, access is being managed because of the Covid restrictions.
Customers are advised to write, phone or email for housing loan, rent, rates, motor tax and parking fines queries and are also directed to the Council’s website and social media platforms for regular updates. Further details are available at www.sligococo.ie.