Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary Jackie Cahill, has said that it is simply 'inconceivable and irresponsible' for the Fine Gael government to implement a 29.25% cut in funding to Tipperary County Council for road improvement and maintenance in 2018.
Deputy Cahill was commenting after it became clear that the total funding allocated to the County Council would drop by €5.4m compared to the 2017 allocation. This comes hot on the heels of a €2.4m cut from 2016 to 2017.
“In two years alone, we have seen a near €8m annual cut to roads funding for the county. How this can be supported when the Department of Transport itself believes that at least €35m should be invested in Tipperary roads every year just to stand still, let alone improve them.
“Our County Council has progressively seen its budgets for improvements and maintenance cut year on year – the end result for the people of Tipperary will be poorer and more dangerous roads.
“Many of the roads in the county are in bits. The County Council haven’t had the resources to properly maintain and rehabilitate roads over the past six years. The officials are trying their best but without funding, there is very little they can do.
“It is irresponsible and dangerous to leave our roads in such a state of disrepair. We cannot have any further cuts in funding to County Councils. Lives are being put at risk,” concluded Deputy Cahill.
