Fianna Fáil Councillor, Michael Cahill is calling on all the Oireachtas members in Kerry to lobby the Government for a major increase of funding to the Local Improvement Scheme.
The scheme provides funding to local authorities to carry out improvements to private and non-publicly maintained roads.
Councillor Cahill again raised the matter by means of a ‘Notice of Motion’ at a recent municipal district meeting where he also called for an emergency Deputation to be sent from the council to meet with the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Minister for the Environment.
Improving Local Roads
“I am calling for the Government to review it’s ‘Our Rural Future Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’ with a view to vastly increasing the amount of funding allocated to improving local roads throughout the country. I am now looking for the support of all Kerry Oireachtas members in this as this is a national issue and we rely totally on State funding for the scheme” stated Councillor Cahill.
“Ambulances have great and sometimes insurmountable difficulties in travelling these rural roads, leading to homes and farms, creating grave danger for sick and elderly residents.
50 Years to Fix Roads
At the present rate of funding, it could take up to 50 years to fix these roads, that lead to the homes of Irish taxpayers. We cannot allow such a two tier system to continue in a modern world, with some people having no proper access to their homes” said the Fianna Fáil man.
“Myself and many of our County Councillors have been looking for this increased funding for many’s the long day now, with only small success. That is why I want all our Kerry TD’s and Senators to row in with me now and put as much pressure on, as is necessary to get the job done” said Councillor Cahill.
Discrimination Against Taxpayers
“There are hundreds of families residing adjacent to these roads across the county who pay their Local Property Tax, who pay their Motor Tax and who pay all other taxes and it is my opinion that they are being discriminated against” stated Councillor Cahill.
“In an Ireland for all, everybody deserves equal treatment and facilities, and I believe we must move to upgrade and resource the Local Improvement Scheme now” added the Rossbeigh based Councillor.
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