Deputy Brendan Smith has called for the reallocation of unused department funds to local authorities for the upkeep and maintenance of roads. The Cavan Monaghan Fianna Fail TD's calls come as the deterioration of, and driving difficulties on, the region's roads are brought to the fore.
Speaking to Northern Sound, he said rising inflation and associated costs, means that local authority road budgets are running out, and necessary works are not being carried out as a result. Deputy Smith highlighted the need for further investment in infrastructure across counties Cavan and Monaghan so that growth in enterprise and employment can continue.
He added that roads have deteriorated locally, and because of that, there is now an onus on Government to provide local authorities with the money that is needed to repair them. "Each council, say back two or three years ago, would have done a three to four-year road works programme based on the expected allocation they would get each year.
"Actually, the funding was increased at the beginning of the year by the Government; the Government allocated additional funding for this year. But that additional funding does not keep up with the increased costs that have arisen because of the war Putin has inflicted on the Ukraine, and the resulting increased costs in every respect," said Deputy Smith.
