Lack of Laois County Council staff is 'frustrating, costly and slowing down progress'

Laois Fianna Fáil Councillor Paddy Bracken has highlighted the shortage of outdoor staff in Laois County Council, and has called for the provision of more resources.

"In the Mountmellick area, there are two staff members that have never been replaced," Cllr Bracken said.

"There is an increase in workflow, with increasing health and safety issues, and it is slowing down the process of completing works. It's frustrating to think that we have so few outdoor staff," he said.

"We have great skilled staff out there doing all types of work. They are very adaptable to the work that they are doing. But we don't have the man power. We are over two years with two men down.

"It needs to be addressed if we are going to address the issues we are confronted with every day as councillors," Cllr Bracken finished.

Pictured: road works on the N77 /Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise in 2024.

The motion was seconded by Rathdowney Fine Gael Cllr John King.

"We as county councillors table 18 notices of motion every month, that's a lot every year," Cllr King said.

"I would like to know how many notices of motion are carried out fully. It's over 200 notices of motion a year, and I wouldn't be wrong in saying that out of 200 projects, we would be lucky to get 100 to 120 completed.

"It's because we don't have the manpower or staff there to do the work," he said.

"I don't like going back over jobs all the time that should be done, but certainly coming into the New Year we will have to get a breakdown of what was requested and what is completed.

"It's a huge area, and the work is not being reached. It's not fair to us, and it's not fair to the people. More staff is needed on all levels," Cllr King finished.

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney also gave his full support to Cllr Bracken's tabled motion.

"I think it's a very good notice of motion, because we have to get staff," Cllr Clooney said.

"We are contracting the work out, and if we had more staff we would actually save money, believe it or not. It isn't rocket science, if you see the quotes for putting in paths or doing little jobs, it's unbelievable. If we had the staff, we could do this for half the cost," Cllr Clooney said.

Pictured: 2023 roadworks N80 national route through Laois were delayed by a month

"Staff should be localised where possible. Years ago, there were council workers in every little village and town who worked very well. Now the Borris-in-Ossory area is so large that they just aren't able to do it. 

"I know on a personal level that in 2024, I have never had as little done," Cllr Clooney said.

"This is the worst year in my six years on the Council. I am hoping that in 2025, this won't continue on, and I will be demanding action. I have to get my rightful fair share of the work. The staff that are there are doing great work, and we would save money. That's what its all about," Cllr Clooney finished.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin also welcomed this motion, calling for a fair proportion of road staff to Laois roads.

"If you look at a map, we have over 40% of the roads in County Laois in this Municipal District," Cllr Bergin said.

"I don't know the exact percentage, but if you look at the exact amount of road staffing, I am sure it's a lot less than that. The proportion of road staff we have should be fair to the amount of roads we have in this district, and it's not. I fully support what Cllr Clooney has said," he said.

"Our staff can get things done for a lot cheaper than contractors, but we need to have the resources and the time, because they are pulled every way," Cllr Bergin said.

"We have three crews in our area, you could have two men on a crew full time doing potholes this time of year. There is so much to be done, and the size of the area. We definitely need more staff, it hasn't increased for a long time, certainly not in my time on the Council. I fully support this motion," he finished.

Independent Cllr James Kelly also supported the motion, calling for more outdoor staff in Laois County Council.

Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services at Laois County Council, replied that the Council will commence a process examining the long term delivery needs within the Council workforce.

"The need to first of all to return the staffing complement of the district to full strength is appreciated," Mr Brennan said.

"The Human Resources Section will put in place actions to achieve this return to full complement. Furthermore, given the increasing workloads across all districts, the Council will in the New Year commence a process of examining the long term delivery needs within the workforce with the Districts," Mr Brennan finished.

This matter arose at the December sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Muncipal District.