Waterford County Council simply doesn’t have the staff available to cut grass in housing estates in Lismore, the monthly meeting of the town council was told recently.

Town Manager Paul Daly advised members that the council cuts public areas and open spaces and council estates that don’t have their own mowers. They don’t cut grass in private estates and won’t in private estates they take in charge from now on.

“It’s too time consuming, too many man hours are going on it. Where we have traditionally cut we have notified them that we’re not cutting anymore. Some have made arrangements to do it themselves,” he told members.

He was replying to a query from Councillor Jan Rotte who asked why some areas weren’t having their grass cut. The Mills Estate and Lios an Oir were mentioned. They will have to make their own arrangements from now on, members were advised.

Cllr Orla Russell disagreed that residents had been informed of the change, saying she’d been approached by some residents who were wondering why their grass isn’t being cut. Cllr Bernard Leddy pointed out that those residents paying property tax from now would be paying more for less. The town manager agreed it would be an argument put forward.

Cllr Davy Whelan asked if mowers could be supplied to Lios an Oir and The Mills to allow residents cut the grass themselves. The town manager told him the council didn’t want to get involved with insurance or repairs of mowers. Cllr Whelan said a group should be organised to insure and look after them.

Their cutting programme will be starting ‘imminently’ in those estates where they are still cutting, the town manager informed members.