12 Jun 2013, 16:29
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning agreed to request the Department of Transport increase funding to maintain regional and local roads.
12 June 2013
The County and City Managers’ Association, the representative voice of local government management network, were before the Committee to discuss the maintenance of regional and local roads.
Michael Walsh of Waterford City Council, John Mulholland of Kilkenny County Council and John McLaughlin of Donegal County Council addressed the Committee on behalf of their counterparts in 34 primary local authorities. They outlined the ongoing funding pressures being experienced by local authorities in maintaining these roads.
Committee Vice-Chairman John O'Mahony TD says: “The quality of local and regional roads has a significant impact on the quality of life of citizens in both urban and rural communities in every corner of the country. This morning we heard that funding for local and regional roads has decreased dramatically in recent years, from €700 million in 2007 to a projected €400 million this year. The Committee takes on board the concerns of local authority managers that current funding will only allow 40 percent of necessary maintenance work take place.
\"Poor maintenance of the these roads not only impacts on individuals, communities and businesses but the remedial works necessary after such neglect may end up costing the Exchequer more in the longer term. On foot of the discussions, the Committee agreed to write to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to request that more resources be made available to maintain Ireland's regional and local road network. Committee Members also expressed the wish that every effort be made to optimise the role of Community Employment Schemes in supporting such maintenance works.\"
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Tom Fleming, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Seán Kenny, Labour
Eamonn Moloney, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Ann Phelan, Labour
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Senators
Terry Brennan
Sean D. Barrett
Eamonn Coghlan
Paschal Mooney
Ned O’Sullivan
John Whelan