13th – 22nd May
Explore the rich variety of life in Sligo this May with a host of wonderful events and activities for the whole family
All Events are FREE of charge but booking is essentially to guarantee your place!
Doorly Park Bat Walk with Sligo Tidy Towns – Monday 16 May 21:30
Tubbercurry Nature Walk with Tubbercurry Tidy Towns – Monday 16th May 18:00 – 19:30
Doorly Park Pollinator Walk with Sligo Tidy Towns & Doorly Park Residents Association -Tuesday 17 May 16:30 – 18:00
Dromore West Nature Walk with Dromore West Village Enhancement Group Wednesday 18th May 18:30 – 19:30
Grange Tidy Towns Bat Walk – 19 May 9.30pm to 10.30 pm. Meet at Grange Playground. No booking required for this event.
Strandhill Biodiversity Group Bat Walk – Friday 20 May 20:30 – 22:00
Ballisodare Nature Walk with Ballisodare Tidy Towns Saturday 21 May 10:30 – 12:30
This is the culmination of the Sligo LEADER RDP funded Community Biodiversity Training
Grants of between €10,000 and €300,000 available for upgrade and refurbishment works to Community Centres
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a new €15 million capital fund to support community groups for the upgrade and refurbishment of Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the Country.
The Community Centres Investment Fund will support community groups with the upgrade and development of their Community Centre facilities.
Funding will be available under 3 Categories with grants of between €10k and €300K available:
Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities – €10,000 to €25,000.
Category 2: Larger scale projects – €25,001 to €100,000.
Category 3: Major projects- €100,001 to €300,000.
Applications under Category 2 and 3 must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants own funds.
Funding is available for capital works such as: –
Fund guidelines and a sample application form are available to view at gov.ie/drcd
County Sligo Leader Partnership Company SICAP staff are available to assist any community group which seeks assistance with the application form.
What we can do;
If you have any quires call 071 9141138 or email eharan@sligoleader.com
This page has information for people who have family in Ukraine, or for people in Ukraine who plan to travel to Ireland, or have recently arrived here.
You should go to a reception hub in the airport or port when you arrive. Otherwise, you can get help at a Ukraine Support Centre. These centres are currently in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. They can help you to get somewhere to stay and help you to apply for social welfare (financial help).
We will add more information to this page as it becomes available.
You can also read about supports for Ukrainians in Ireland.
You can use Google Translate to read this page in Ukrainian or another language (please note that this uses machine translation and may not be a fully accurate translation of the page).
Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to travel to Ireland. You also do not need proof that you have a COVID-19 vaccine, and you do not need to take a COVID-19 test before you arrive.
If you do not have a current passport, you can use another form of identification to travel to Ireland (for example, national ID card, expired passport or birth certificate). The Irish Government has asked airlines to accept these documents.
If you are travelling with family members who are not Ukrainian citizens, they may need a visa to come to Ireland.
You can read frequently asked questions from the Irish immigration authority, called Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), for visa and immigration information.
The Irish Refugee Council also has information on coming to Ireland in Ukrainian.
When you arrive in Ireland, you should go to the reception hub. Currently there are reception hubs at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port. Ukraine Support Centres have also opened in Dublin, Cork and Limerick (see ‘Ukraine Support Centres’ below).
You should give your details and you will get a letter confirming that you have residence in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive from the reception hub in Dublin Airport. Staff can also help you to get somewhere to stay if you need it, and help you to access financial support (money).
The EU, including Ireland, is using the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that you can work and access services and benefits without making an application for international protection (refugee status). This applies to:
It also applies to people who had a permanent Ukrainian residence permit who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, and who cannot safely return to their countries.
You will get permission to live in Ireland for one year under the Temporary Protection Directive. Your permission may be extended after that. You will get a letter confirming that you have residence in Ireland under the Directive.
If you did not get a permission letter at the airport or port you arrived at, you can get it at the Ukraine Support Centre on Cork Street, Dublin 8 or at the Ukraine Support Centre on Dominick Street, Limerick (see ‘Ukraine Support Centres’ below).
You cannot currently get a permission letter from the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork. Arrangements are being put in place to provide permission letters at the Cork centre. We will update this page when this happens.
If the Irish Government gave you a place to stay (in a hotel for example), immigration officials will visit your accommodation and they can give you the permission letter.
All citizens from outside the EU/EEA who are 16 or over must register and get an Irish Residence Permit. Instructions on how to do this will be available soon. The Irish immigration authorities have frequently asked questions for Ukrainians in Ireland.
You can get information and help at a Ukraine Support Centre. The centres are currently available in Cork, Limerick and Dublin.
At a centre, you can get information about social welfare, immigration and housing. If you did not receive your temporary permission letter when you entered Ireland, you can get this letter at the Ukraine Support Centre in Dublin or Limerick.
Representatives from organisations that give information and advice, including the Citizens Information Service, are available. Information is available in Ukrainian.
You can get information on opening hours on gov.ie.
When you arrive in Ireland you can apply to the Department of Social Protection for financial support. You will get a temporary social welfare payment called Supplementary Welfare Allowance. It is a weekly payment for you and any dependents (for example, children) you may have. If you need help applying for this payment, you can visit your nearest Ukraine Support Centre.
You will continue to get Supplementary Welfare Allowance until you apply for a more suitable social welfare payment. You can find out more about the range of social welfare payments available. You can apply for Rent Supplement if you find private rented accommodation. If you get a job, you must tell your local social welfare office. You can keep your Supplementary Welfare Allowance for 30 days after you start working.
If you have children, you can get Child Benefit. This is a monthly payment paid to the parents or guardians of children aged under 16. It is also paid for children aged 16 and 17 in full-time education. You do not have to have proof that your 16 and 17 year old children are in full-time education for the first 2 months after you arrive in Ireland.
Ukrainians who have come to Ireland because of the war satisfy the habitual residence condition for social welfare payments.
You need to get a PPS number (an Irish social security number). You can get information about how to apply for a PPS number at the reception centre when you arrive in Dublin Airport.
If you are in Ireland already, you should go to a Ukraine Support Centre if you are in Cork, Dublin or Limerick, or go to your local Intreo centre or branch office. You should not apply online for your PPS number.
The Irish Government has published social welfare information for people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. This information is also available in Ukrainian and in Russian.
You can get help with getting somewhere to stay if you need it. You should tell immigration officials that you need a place to stay when you arrive in Ireland and they will refer you to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). IPAS have staff at the reception hubs at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port. You can also go to a Ukraine Support Centre to get help with accommodation.
IPAS accommodation is free of charge and includes different types of accommodation. For example, you may be accommodated in a hotel, guest house or another type of State-owned or private accommodation including property pledged by members of the public.
If you don’t need a place to stay immediately (because you are staying with family or friends), you can ask for this help at any time later on.
If you need accommodation and you are already in Ireland, you can email the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie or visit a Ukraine Support Centre.
Include the following information in your email:
If you have vacant property or a spare room in your home, you can offer it to help accommodate a refugee. The Irish Red Cross will match the accommodation you offer with someone who has just arrived in Ireland. See ‘I want to help’ below or find out how to pledge accommodation on the Irish Red Cross’s website.
The Housing Support Payment (HAP) helps people with a long-term housing need pay for rented accommodation. HAP is not available for Ukrainian refugees at this time as their accommodation is currently provided by IPAS.
Health services in Ireland are delivered by Ireland’s public healthcare service – the Health Service Executive (HSE). You can get the same public healthcare services as people who live in Ireland.
Everyone coming to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive is also entitled to a medical card with a simplified application process. A medical card allows you to visit a doctor for free, access other health services and get medicines at a reduced price. Children aged over 16 must apply for a medical card separately.
You should apply for your medical card using a special medical card application form (pdf) for people from Ukraine. The medical card application form is also available in Ukranian (pdf) and Russian (pdf). You can email your completed form to PCRS.Applications@HSE.ie or by post to the address on the form.
You need:
In 9 months’ time, you will have to make a full application for a medical card. This will include a full financial assessment or means test.
You can get information about health care services in Ireland from the HSE website. You can also read about the Irish health system in Ukrainian (pdf) and in Russian (pdf).
Vaccinations help to protect you and your children against preventable infectious diseases. Many vaccinations are free in Ireland. You can read information about the vaccines available from the HSE for you and your children in Ukrainian, Russian and English.
You have the right to work in Ireland when you have your permission letter confirming that you have been granted Temporary Protection under the EU Directive. You can also work for yourself (self-employment) and you can access vocational training in Ireland.
Revenue has information about the taxes you pay as a worker in Ukrainian and Russian.
You must register and have your qualifications recognised to work in some professions. For example, you must register with the Medical Council to work as a doctor.
The Teaching Council is developing a process to allow people who are qualified teachers in Ukraine to register and teach in Ireland.
The Tusla Education Support Service can help you find a school for your children.
Read about how to enrol your children in:
Parents with a child starting primary school can find information in Ukrainian and Russian.
School transport services are available to Ukrainian students on the same basis as children in Ireland. There will be no charge for this where it is available. Further details will be available soon. Contact Transportapplications@education.gov.ie or call 057 932 5467 for more information about school transport.
Irish third level students returning from Ukraine will be given places to continue their education.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland have information (in Ukrainian) about its qualifications recognition service. This guide helps you to use QQI’s foreign qualifications recognition service (NARIC).
There are special arrangements in place for bringing pets from Ukraine. This means you may be able to bring your pets even if they are missing documentation or do not satisfy the usual rules for entering Ireland. The special arrangements only apply if you are travelling with the pet.
If you are bringing pets, you should still bring as much information as you can about your pet, for example, information on vaccinations, microchip and worming.
If you have permission to stay in Ireland, including permission under the Temporary Protection Directive, you must apply for an Irish driving licence. You cannot exchange your Ukrainian licence for an Irish licence. You can read more about foreign driving licences in Ireland.
If you bring your car from Ukraine, you must register the vehicle and pay Vehicle Registration Tax. You may also have to pay VAT (Value Added Tax).
You can pledge accommodation on the Irish Red Cross website. You can pledge a spare room in your home or a vacant property. After you leave your details, someone from the Irish Red Cross will contact you to get further details. The Irish Red Cross is working with the Irish Government to match people who have accommodation to offer, with refugees who have come to Ireland.
If you speak Ukrainian and want to help, you can contact the International Protection Accommodation Service.
You can volunteer to help with conversational English classes through the Third Age.
NASC Migrant and Refugee Rights has a community sponsorship programme that helps people to support refugee families in their local areas. The Open Community supports community sponsorship programmes for refugees.
Read about how people and businesses can help on gov.ie. Business can pledge help on Pryvit.ie.
You can read about:
The following organisations have further information in English, Ukrainian and Russian:
(c) Citizens Information 2022.
ORIS 2022
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.
The scheme supports sporting and recreational pursuits. It helps to make use of the resources of the countryside that contribute to healthy active lifestyles. It supports the economic and tourism potential of the area for both local communities and tourist visitors alike.
It provides funding for:
Applications are accepted by County Sligo LEADER Partnership Company CLG under ORIS (Measure 1)*.
* Measure 1: Small-scale repair/development/promotional and marketing projects of grant aid amounts up to €30,000
Download Expression of Interest Application
Closing date for completed Expressions of Interest is 1st April 2022 at 5pm.
Having launched REBOOT in September 2021, over 50 organisations have benefitted from FREE training and support from industry experts to help their business evolve and grow from the impacts of C19. Now, as we emerge from C19 and businesses need to refocus their businesses, REBOOT can help.
REBOOT training and networking will prioritise resiliency, agility, cost management, innovation, health and safety and ecommerce/Social Media management – all critically important to business.
Aim of the REBOOT Programme:
Reboot is a co-operative collaboration designed to assist the recovery of rural businesses and social enterprises in the aftermath of the Covid19 pandemic. Following the success of our courses in Q4 2021, attended by 75 people from over 50 different organisations, REBOOT has designed a new Programme of Training events which will seek to build on knowledge/skillsets honed to date, and provide areas of interest to organisations new to REBOOT. The programme consists of FREE tailored training, skills development, expert 1:1s and networking opportunities in Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon.
Reboot has identified 3 critical areas to assist businesses/social enterprises/community groups post C19:
Over the course of the next 12 months, organisations can access tailored training courses, get expert advice and tips on a 1:1 basis, and have the opportunity to network with their peers at organised events where they can share experiences and address challenges they face.
Speaking at the launch of the 2022 Programme, Sue O’Toole, SWMDC Senior LEADER Enterprise Officer said:
“We are excited to launch the 2022 REBOOT Programme to support our rural business and social enterprises in Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. Since launching in Q4 2021, REBOOT has proved extremely popular with 75 participants from over 50 organisations availing of FREE training and supports to date. Our programme for 2022 aims to build on that success. It is a great opportunity for businesses offering FREE training, expert 1:1s and strategic networking across key issues facing organisations after almost 2 years of disruption. REBOOT aims to foster resiliency, agility, cost management, innovation, health and safety and to maximise online sales/social media presence. Reboot activities are available to any business or social enterprise who is based in Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon and all the courses are FREE to participants. Follow Reboot on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date on FREE training opportunities and upcoming events.”
To find out more information, simply log on to www.rebootandnetwork.ie to browse courses and book your place.
Background
Developed as a cooperation project under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme 2014 – 2020 it is being commissioned by Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo Local Action Groups (LAGs)/Local Development Companies in close collaboration with Local Enterprise Offices.
Groups Involved:
We are thrilled t be delivering a NEW initiative for 2022: One-to-One Career Coaching as part of our Restart Career Coaching programme. This program is aimed at supporting long term unemployed and under employed people in County Sligo. The service will be based online with each participant receiving at least 3 one to one 1 hour career coaching sessions.
The sessions will include a wide range of coaching such as Career, Finance, Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing etc. The coaching is to support the emotional and confidence needed to succeed in job searching. To encourage and assist awareness of the participant’s strengths and transferrable skills. Discuss the various types of intelligences. Facilitate self-assessment exercises/tests which will assist clients in identifying their strengths in an experiential way. Assist participants to enhance their own skills and abilities, challenge what they know about the transferrable skills they already have, while building confidence, and assertiveness to believe in themselves and their future. If the participant is not job ready, pairing their identified strengths with past times will allow them to develop so that it is employment relevant. Assist the participants to set SMART objectives with the aim of utilising their strengths to gain employment or start a new past time.
The sessions will also include: building trust and confidence and will assist the participant to become job ready. It will help participants to develop skills in the areas of basic communications, self-motivation, self-awareness, time management, goal setting (acquire knowledge and skills needed to restart a new employment or training phase in your life) and teamwork.
At the end of the course participants will have greater awareness of their own personal wellbeing and knowledge of the supports and services available in the community for themselves and others, to include increased self-esteem and confidence, awareness of self-acceptance and increased sense of professional adequacy. They will have new confidence in their ability with a fresh outlook on life and career.
Contact Karen
Mobile: 087 2054596
Office: 071 9141138
Email: kgabbidon@sligoleader.com
Sligo Leader Partnership Company Ltd are calling on Social Enterprises to avail of supports being made available by Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme 2021. The fund is designed to provide supports to social enterprises in communities as they emerge from the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To find out more please email: eharan@sligoleader.com
Calling all Communities and Entrepreneurs!
Are you planning great things for your community or business for 2022?
Perhaps you could avail of some support from the LEADER programme.
LEADER can support a range of projects including:
Eligible costs can be funded up to 75%.
To find out if you and your idea are eligible give us a call on 071 9141138 or email sheffernan@sligoleader.com
For projects planning to start in 2022, we recommend you talk to us before the end of November!
World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing
Earlier this year Sligo LEADER Partnership ran a series of workshops on Menopause hosted by Catherine O’Keefe – Wellness Warrior. Menopause for every woman will be different, and has an impact on our physical and mental wellbeing, and our personal and working relationships.
Talking about the menopause matters. Normalizing conversation about the menopause reduces an individual’s sense of isolation and having to suffer in silence, which can go a long way to lift mood and boost mental well-being. For a list of Menopause supports in Sligo click here
In addition, the National Women’s Council of Ireland have a resource of information on their website here
Join the Sligo LEADER Mailing List for regular updates!
County Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG,
Hanson Building, Doorly Park, Sligo F91 P7N2
Sligo Town: Pearse House, 3/4 Pearse Road, Sligo F91 K0VC
Ballymote: Lord Edward Street, Ballymote, Sligo F56NX94