Fianna Fail's PJ O'Hanlon had raised his concerns over a lack of funding allocated towards this year's Local Improvement Scheme. The issue was discussed yesterday during this month's meeting of Monaghan County Council. According to Cllr O'Hanlon, funding has been slashed by up to 40% with concerns that people from right across the county will suffer as a result.
There are 253 applicants this year, despite this, 29 roads remain on historic lists from 2017/18 and must be cleared before new applications are worked on. Speaking to Northern Sound, Cllr O'Hanlon says it could take 25 years or more to clear the total list at this current rate. As a result, he has called for a meeting between the local authority and Minister Heather Humphreys in relation to the matter.
"Why are we relaxing the scheme and reducing the funding," Cllr O'Hanlon explained. "I can understand relaxing the scheme and getting more lanes done but if the funding is reduced it just doesn't make sense. At the meeting yesterday I asked my fellow councillors to support me in arranging a meeting with Minister of Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys to meet with us in relation to this matter. I got unanimous support in relation to this and I hope the Minister will get back to us and sort this out."
