'Not easy spending large scale capital money' - Laois County Council CEO

Over €6 million has been spent on improving roads and paths in Laois in the past year but it was not easy, according to the Laois County Council CEO.

Michael Rainey said at the recent council meeting that "It’s not easy spending large scale capital money in this country at the minute".

“Roads are a significant proportion of our revenue budget. A lot of that is grand funding from the department. But it is one thing getting the money, the real key is spending it right and spending it on time. Delivery is key, and I have to commend the roads team, we’ve seen a really strong programme of delivery in this county.

“A lot of what is in the report is completed, rehabilitated and done. It’s not easy spending large scale capital money in this country at the minute. I want to commend the team we have here," Mr Rainey said.

Mr Rainey noted all the new bus stops, road enhancements and active travel projects that his staff completed during 2025, and what is on the list to be completed in 2026.

Last year the National Transport Authority granted Laois County Council €3m for the planning, design and delivery of active travel schemes. The council gave a progress update on 13 of its key schemes, in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Graiguecullen, Emo, Stradbally and Shanahoe. A dozen bus stops were enhanced in Portarlington in 2025, along with two each in Ballylinan, Castletown and Pike of Rushall. Further improvements will continue in 2026 in Cullahill, Borris in Ossory, Rosenallis and Clonaslee.

Also in 2025, the council submitted drawings of a proposed one-way system in Durrow to the TII for its approval.

Laois County Council oversaw delivery of 18 Local Improvement Schemes to the value of €1,028,000 in 2025. Local Improvement Schemes pay for improvements to private (non-public) roads, and include a small contribution from landowners/homeowners. In the period 2022 to 2025, a total of 79 Local Improvement Schemes were completed throughout Laois to an overall value of €3,895,000.

In 2025, six Community Involvement Roadworks Schemes were delivered in Laois to a value of €390,000.

A grant of €700,000 was provided from the Department of Transport in 2025 and it was used to strengthen sections of the R445 (formerly N7 road) in the area of Pike of Rushall and Borris-In-Ossory.

In 2025, 13 Local Safety Schemes were completed in Laois to an overall value of €400,000. Locations include the L-2715 Bog Road Ballyroan, R430 Ballacolla Rd Abbeyleix and R488 Stradbally.

Read next: Busy Laois road near train station getting six months of roadworks

In 2025, six road bridges were rehabilitated in Laois to an overall value of €450,000. They include the New Bridge Cloncough, Shanahoe Nore Bridge, Colt Bridge, Colt Balllyroan and the Beechmount Bridge Rathdowney.