A Lahinch councillor is accusing the local authority of “siphoning off” funds collected in parking in his town to other parts of the county.
Bill Slattery is expressing anger at what he’s called a lack of spending on infrastucture in the tourist hotspot, despite the level of funding collecting by parking meters there.
Figures released by Clare County Council show that since 2014, over €700,000 has been raised between parking fees and fines in Lahinch.
Fine Gael Councillor Slattery insists that when paid parking was introduced, it was agreed that money would be spent locally, but he’s sceptical that’s been the case:
Statement from Clare County Council:
The income from parking is applied to meet costs associated with undertaking maintenance of the town’s streetscape, the beach, public toilets, lifeguard station and promenade area on a daily basis. A contribution is made to the operation of Lahinch SeaWorld, while further costs are associated with car parking management at Clare’s busiest seaside location from a traffic management perspective. Litter management is also a key focus due to the large volumes of people visiting the town.
More than €4 million euro has so far been spent since 2014 in improving flood defences and an upgrade of the 350 metre promenade and surrounding area, including the playground. An additional coastal strengthening project on the southern side of the town will proceed as soon as possible after the Foreshore Lease is confirmed.
Lease agreement issues have now been resolved for the upgrade of the public toilet facilities in Lahinch. Subject to satisfactory completion of a contractor tendering process, the intention would be for construction to commence in the autumn with project completion by year end.
