Frustrated Laois councillor slams lack of funding for ‘basic’ jobs

There was exasperation in Laois county hall this week, as frustrated councillors argued over budget constraints to make safe several dangerous footpaths in Laois.

Mountrath Cllr James Kelly tabled a motion to make a footpath safe in Mountrath, where pedestrians are forced to walk on a dangerous road due to illegal parking.

When the Cllr was told that there was no budget available to install parking bollards, Cllr Paddy Bracken questioned the tight budget constraints around ‘basic, essential works’.

The councillor made reference to the lack of funding to repair a damaged footpath in Mountmellick, where two people have fallen in recent weeks.

“Are we back to square one again? No funding to do all the jobs? I have to show you a case where a lady fell, the second fall on this footpath within the last few weeks, and no money to fix the footpath. These are basic things, what is our county wide budget for if we can’t address these issues?” The Cllr slammed.

“We’re bringing up these issues and told then that we don’t have the resources. Why are we passing an annual budget and when it comes to doing simple, basic things that people are entitled to, we can’t do anything?” he asked.

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“It's not fair. This thing [the budget] is all tightened up so much that we get nothing done. We got the footpath funding, and yet here I am here as a councillor in the biggest district area in the county, with not a penny for footpaths and not a bit to be done.

“What are we doing? I’m asking you, directors. We have to do something,” Cllr Bracken urged.

Director of Services with Laois County Council, Ms Angela McEvoy explained that increasing costs have impacted the budget initially set out six months ago.

“It is a thing we are very conscious of, and are trying to make ends meet in relation to this area at the moment,” Ms McEvoy said.

“Simon Walton, the Director of Infrastructure is very aware of this, so is the senior engineer in trying to maintain and monitor budgets. Rory is doing his best in relation to his area, and dealing with the priority areas that are out there at the moment. There won't be money for everything,” she said.

Cllr Bracken cut across Ms McEvoy, arguing that while he appreciated the work being done, it’s no use to someone who has fallen on a footpath in bad repair.

“It’s so obvious. Cllr Kelly is after highlighting issues there- we shouldn’t have to go through all of this to get little jobs done, when the engineer knows about them. It’s just repeat, repeat the whole time,” Cllr Bracken said.

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“It all adds up to a budget though. It all adds up to spending,” Ms McEvoy replied.

Cllr Bracken remarked that the Council doesn't have a budget to spend.

“There is increasing costs coming in now to bear on the budgets since last year. We’re six months in and we’re already being advised that increases have to be taken into account.

“Prices for jobs are coming in a lot higher than what they did last year, that's having a huge impact in relation to budgets,” Ms McEvoy finished.

This motion was tabled at the June meeting of Laois County Council’s Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.