Graiguecullen could be the new Budapest of Ireland, Laois Councillor says

A Councillor has claimed Graiguecullen could be the Budapest of Ireland. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran tabled a motion asking “that Laois County give a commitment to spend a percentage of the Development Levies on community, recreation and amenities in the Graiguecullen area each year.”

In reply, Head of Finance Julie Bergin said: “Development contributions collected by Laois County Council are financial payments required from developers as part of the planning permission process.

These contributions are used to fund public infrastructure and facilities that support and benefit development across the county including 1. Public Infrastructure Provision (roads etc) 2. Community and Recreational Facilities (Parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, Community centres and sports facilities) 3. Environmental and Amenity Improvements ( Landscaping and public realm enhancements & Heritage and conservation projects) 4. Urban and Rural Development Support (Town centre rejuvenation URDF, RRDF) Resources are directed to areas where projects are actively being implemented.  The Council does not intend to allocate a fixed percentage of development contributions to specific parts of the county, but rather aims to use these funds to support project delivery throughout the entire county."

Cllr Moran was unhappy with the response and said the contributions from Graiguecullen were going to Portlaoise. She said “you are not actively looking at any projects in the Graiguecullen area.” She claimed the Council was just going to direct funds to Portaloise. 

Cllr Moran said Graiguecullen has plenty of houses and she could think of a number of ideas for the area. “You have Carlow on one side of the river, Laois on the other. We could be the Budapest of Ireland, two different towns,” said Cllr Moran, in reference to the Hungarian capital which consists of Buda and Pest, two distinct districts on either side of the River Danube which merged in 1873. 

She told the meeting that there could be a footbridge going across it and she would like to see bars, restaurants and make it into a tourist attraction. “I have asked about the sugar factory. Doing a collaboration with Carlow and Laois and doing something like a Center Parcs in it,” she said. 

“If you ringfence that money we will come up with projects,” Cllr Moran insisted. 

Ms Bergin said “development contributions are not just used in Portlaoise. They are used around the county.” She said the money is spent where projects are identified. 

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins said he agreed with the approach of beginning with a development plan. He said there was scope for further investment in the town. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said EV charging points were needed in Graiguecullen. “90 percent of the money is going to Portlaoise, Portarlington has gotten very little, Mountmellick has gotten very little of it,” he claimed. 

Cllr Moran asked about a town centre first plan for Graiguecullen. 

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Ms Bergin said that would be a discussion to have with the town regeneration officer. 

The issue was discussed during the June meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.