East Clare is said to be “losing ground” when it comes to securing funding for essential roads maintenance.
Although the region has seen an increase in its upkeep and repair budget for the coming year, local elected representatives are arguing it’s an effective cut when inflation is taken into account.
The Killaloe Municipal District has seen its budget for municipal district works increased by 3% to €7.4 million for 2026.
While this is the second-highest amount of funding allocated countywide, local councillors are expressing disappointment.
The area accounts for 23% and 5% of local and regional roads, respectively, meaning it contains 28% of the routes within Clare County Council’s responsibility.
It’s long been argued that the region is underserved regarding roads funding, with Killaloe MD meetings frequently dominated by calls for money to be made available for urgent works.
O’Callaghan’s Mills Fine Gael Councillor Conor Ryan believes Clare’s Oireachtas members are “doing the best they can” to secure funds but hopes more can be made available going forward.
By contrast, the Kilrush Municipal District, which comprises 31% of the county’s local and regional roads network, has been given over €9 million for works of this nature this year, reflecting a 6% boost on last year.
Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says elected reps and the council executive need to be “more proactive” as the funding doled out is “about half” of what’s required.
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