6 SCOT Analysis & Summary of Needs

Strengths Challenges

Community and Quality of life

• The community and its people

• Good network around older people and good community collaboration

• House prices 40% less than national average and Childcare costs 30% less than Dublin

• Average commute times one of the lowest in Ireland

• Relatively low cost of living

• Good quality of life in Sligo with the ability to have a good work /life balance

• Sligo is a compact county meaning you can get things done quickly

• Sligo has a strong volunteering community with fantastic work done by community groups, sports, cultural and social clubs

• Strong sporting culture including Sligo Rovers FC

• In relation to public safety, Sligo Town has a good CCTV network and low crime rate

• Sligo has a great commitment to becoming healthy

Culture and Heritage

• Natural environment – Sligo has outstanding natural beauty

• Sligo’s Neolithic Landscape that is seeking UNESCO World Heritage Status

• Over 5,000 recorded archaeological sites

• Significant public realm and cultural projects funded in Sligo Town

Economy and Employment

• Sligo is seen as a short stay destination instead of a holiday destination

• Lack of awareness of supports available to businesses

• Lack of understanding of the value of a vibrant retail and hospitality sector

• Availability of workforce in certain sectors

Community and Quality of life

• Although County Sligo remains marginally below average nationally in relation to deprivation, the levels of deprivation have increased in recent years

• Childcare facilities are nearing capacity

• Rural isolation in Sligo is an issue for older people

• Lack of children’s play areas in comparison to other places

• Lack of free recreational areas where people young and old can meet up

• Lack of public toilets

• Access around towns for people living with disability could still be improved

Culture and Heritage

• Lack of indoor activities for adults and children

• Could be more lectures and public talks on big societal issues

• No Museum

Opportunities

Economy and Employment

• Tap into potential 1,400 jobs proposed by the Ireland West Airport SDZ

• The Gaming proposition for Strandhill

• The Advancing Innovation in Manufacturing & Supply Chain (AIM) Centre in Market Yard in Sligo Town

• Develop start-up programmes with multinational companies to enhance the development of indigenous companies

• To organise more business-related events to build interrelationships between companies

• To invest in R&D, and provide associated facilities to attract more industry

Community and Quality of life

• Capitalise on Sligo’s rich cultural and natural heritage, lower house prices, education, and employment opportunities to attract and retain qualified professionals and families

• Celebrate Sligo’s diversity across age, ethnicity, and backgrounds

• To expand health services in relation to mental health, acute health facilities and cancer services

Culture and Heritage

• Develop a museum

Infrastructure and Accessibility

• Develop Sligo port/docklands for recreation and office use

Threats

Economy and Employment

• Failure to address brain-drain resulting in a skills gap between industry and the workforce

• Shift to hybrid retail and changing consumer behaviour may leave more retail units vacant

• There is a low participation in lifelong learning that could impact job creation

• Failure to map ICT infrastructure such as ducting could lead to loss of revenue for Sligo County Council

Community and Quality of Life

• Failure to address rising levels of deprivation and poverty could lead to disadvantage in areas of health, education and employment

• Failure to integrate Sligo’s diverse population could lead to increased discrimination and isolation

• Failure to explore options for the development of childcare facilities could leave Sligo with a shortage of childcare services

• Failure to promote healthy lifestyles and positive mental wellbeing could lead to higher levels of addiction and Illness

• High radon areas in Sligo could pose a threat to health if appropriate measures aren’t taken by households