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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY The Information Systems (IS) department manages all the Council’s Information Communications technology (ICT) hardware and software. This infrastructure spans multiple locations in the County and is utilised by close to 400 users. The department is responsible for the councils’ websites, social media channels and both internal and external web-based applications. The department is also responsible for the management of the councils’ data which ranges from file servers to a considerable number of databases. The section is constantly reviewing and refining its infrastructure as new challenges emerge. The section played a central role in 2020 in ensuring the continued provision of Information Technology (I.T.) services to the council as Ireland grappled to deal with COVID-19 restrictions.
Solutions were speedily put in place by I.S. staff to enable users to work from home. Virtual meetings became the norm with I.T. support given to staff and councillors so that meetings could continue to take place. Security was also enhanced by ensuring staff use multi-factor authentication to access the council network remotely. The I.S. section took on additional work including the setup of the Community Call Response Desk and the ability for local business to apply for the Business Restart Grants on www.sligococo.ie website. The I.S. section staff were key players in developing a new Wellbeing section on the council website which evolved into the Keep Well campaign in 2021 https://www.sligococo.ie/keepwell/. 2020 saw the council meetings move around different locations such as IT Sligo, Sligo Park Hotel and the Sligo Sports Complex, the I.S. section facilitated these meetings by sourcing a mobile microphone discussion system and providing I.T. support services.
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2020
