Kids in Laois GAA club cannot drink unsafe water claims councillor

Kids training in a Laois GAA club "have to bring their own water" because the tap water is unsafe, a Laois councillor has claimed.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly raised concerns both to the Portlaoise Municipal District and to the full Laois County Council meeting this June over the issue.

He says it is affecting Spink GAA Club and residents in the Ballypickas area, and they need urgent investment to add an extension to their Group Water Scheme.

"Spink GAA is inundated with training. They have to bring their water, they can't use the water themselves. I think a boil water notice is on it in parts. The work should take place as soon as possible. Whatever we do we should do it as soon as possible for safety especially for the children playing there in Spink," he said.

He said it would cost no more than €50,000 or €60,000 to extend the Ballpickas Group Water Scheme.

However no such extension is in the budget, the council said.

In response to his motion tabled to the Portlaoise MD, the council said "this project was not funded as part of the recent Multi Annual Rural Water Programme. The council is awaiting correspondence from the Department announcing the new programme. Once received, the council will be seeking expressions of interest from Group Water Schemes to submit projects for funding.

Cllr Fennelly said he was disappointed.

"The expression of interest is there now, I think it was submitted in 2019. It was expected that this improvement would take place. I presume the project will go straight to them?" he asked.

The Director of Services Simon Walton said they have to reapply with a new application.

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"I can say that the last Rural Water programme has expired and all the funding is allocated, that programme is over. the 2023 to 2025 programme was to be announced last year and it's still not announced.  I don't think this programme formed a part. We're told that a new project announcement is imminent but we haven't seen details yet. That is the only avenue where this scheme can be funded."

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion.

"There are huge numbers up there playing," he said.

There is no Boil Water notice issued for the area.