It’s claimed major road and housing projects in Clare could be easily expedited if the local authority was funded to European norms.
It comes as elected representatives in this county have called on the Government to enhance county council powers.
A 2019 Report by Maynooth University entitled ‘Democracy Works If You Let It’, found that just 8% of public spending in Ireland occurs at local government level, compared to an average of 23% across Europe.
Budget shortfalls aren’t the only concern, but also that projects are being significantly delayed as a result, with Clare County Council having to take out loans or source match funding for major projects such as the Ennis Public Realm, for which 75% of funds came from central government.
Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle believes more housing and services could be delivered if the balance of power is restored.
Another report unveiled by the coalition last week aimed at accelerating the delivery of major infrastructural projects found that National Government Bureaucracy is proving to be one of the hardest obstacles to overcome.
Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare-Colleran Molloy believes funding decisions at a local level could make a serious difference.
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