Mayo County Council announce details of reopening of public offices and facilities

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, the authority is pleased to announce its public offices are set to reopen.

On Monday next, June 28, 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, the council encourages 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 https://www.mayococo.ie.

VISITING 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 the council reminds everyone that 95% of motor tax transactions can be done online at https://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 https://www.mayococo.ie/en/Planning/

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OFFICES

In accordance with guidelines all Municipal District public offices will be open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 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 LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS AND ART CENTRES

Mayo County Council facilities such as museums, libraries, art centres and community centres will also reopen from Monday.

Their library network across the county looks forward to welcoming the public back to use their services.

Library branches re-opening on Tuesday, June 30, 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 to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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 https://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 and 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," a council spokesperson added.

* Pictured is Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar, the HQ of Mayo County Council.