Reopening of Mayo County Council Public Offices and Facilities
Date: 26-06-2020
Throughout the duration of the lockdown, Mayo County Council continued to deliver essential services to the public albeit with our offices and facilities closed to the public. As society now moves into the next phase, we are pleased to announce our public offices are set to reopen.
On Monday 29th June, all Mayo County Council public counters, including the public foyer of Áras an Chontae, Motor Tax, Housing, Local Enterprise Office and all of the Municipal Area Offices in Castlebar, Claremorris, Ballina, Ballinrobe, Westport, Belmullet and Swinford will reopen to the public.
Although offices will be open, we encourage people to consider conducting their Council business over the phone or online wherever possible. Contact details for every office and department in Mayo County Council can be found at www.mayococo.ie.
VISITING OUR PUBLIC OFFICES
For those who must visit offices in person, a drop-box system will be in practice in the foyer of Áras an Chontae and in all area offices for the following departments:
- Roads and Transportation
- Finance and Rates
- Environment and CARO office
- Planning
- Corporate and Human Resources (not including Tenders)
The drop-boxes will be set up in a prominent location in the foyer. Reception staff will advise people, along with clear signage displayed, on how to label and file drop-box correspondence so that it will be brought to the attention of the contact person from the department.
The Motor Tax Office Castlebar and public counters in Ballina and Belmullet will re-open from Monday, but we remind everyone that 95% of motor tax transactions can be done online at www.motortaxonline.ie.
Mayo County Council’s Planning Department is open and operating its full services.
Any application queries can be submitted by post, email, phone, or the drop-box
facility. Essential in-person meetings will be conducted by appointment only and in
order to comply with social distancing protocols, they will not exceed 15 minutes
duration. Details in relation to our planning services are available online at www.mayococo.ie/en/Planning/,
MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OFFICES
In accordance with guidelines all Municipal District public offices will be open between 10am and 4pm, closed from 1pm – 2pm and drop-box facilities will be in place at each office. Meetings will be available by appointment only. These arrangements will be reviewed in the weeks ahead.
VISITING OUR LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS AND ART CENTRES
Mayo County Council facilities such as museums, libraries, art centres and community centres will also reopen from 29th. Our library network across the county looks forward to welcoming the public back to use their services. Library branches re-opening on Tuesday, 30th June are: Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Claremorris, Swinford, Kiltimagh and Louisburgh. Other library branches will open soon after, and the ‘Call & Collect’ service will continue to operate in all libraries. In this initial phase of re-opening, the public will be welcome to browse briefly, but computer or printing services will not be available. In line with expert advice, the following information around using our libraries should be noted:
Opening hours in Castlebar, Ballina, Westport and Claremorris:
Tuesday – Saturday, 10am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm
Numbers allowed in each library branch will be dictated by available floor space. As maximum numbers will apply in all libraries, we ask that you limit your visit to a quick visit.
All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult to ensure social distancing is adhered to.
Toilet facilities will not be available.
Full details of all branches and their opening hours are available on www.mayolibrary.ie and will be regularly updated on the library’s social media. For additional queries please email librarymayo@mayococo.ie or phone 094 9047940.
LEISURE CENTRES
Details around the opening of Mayo County Councils swimming pools in Castlebar, Westport and Ballina will be confirmed in the coming days
When visiting any Mayo County Council office or facility it is important to follow the protocols in place in each building and remember that personal responsibility and individual judgement are more important than ever.
Continuing to adhere to public health advice is of utmost importance:
- Hand hygiene methods
- Practice good cough & sneeze etiquette
- Stay 2 metres away from others.
- Limiting social interactions is crucial to preventing the spread of the virus.
We must continue to act responsibly and work together.