'I'm livid' no clean water grant aid for GAA players using Laois sports ground
'Surely to god if children can't use the water, value for money doesn't come into it'
A Laois community sports field where children have no safe drinking water, has been rejected for a group water scheme, with a local councillor saying he is "livid".
A list of Laois water schemes got over half a million euros in funding this summer, from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They include schemes in The Heath, Attanagh, Errill, Ballypickas, Cullohill and Raheen. Full story here.
No money has come the way of Spink.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly from the Portlaoise Municipal District slammed the omission, speaking at the July meeting of Laois County Council.
"To say I am disappointed is an understatement. I had raised this at council and municipal district level. Children are using this GAA field, the community cannot use water in the hub. It is a GAA and community field. The reason from the department is lack of value for money. Surely to god if children can't use the water, value for money doesn't come into it.
"I ask you to send a letter to the department to reconsider this. I think we are looking at €130,000. That's a very small sum to ensure people in Spink GAA can have proper water.
"It's disgraceful, I'm livid. When I went to the department they came to Laois County Council asking for further information. Did anyone come out to check?" Cllr Fennelly asked.
Cllr Barry Walsh supports his request for a rethink.
"It's not acceptable. Value for money shouldn't come into it. It's safety for kids. I fully support that letter. This is not an acceptable reason," he said.
The Laois County Council Director of Services is Simon Walton.
"We will respond to the department along with the Group Water Scheme members and submit a letter," he agreed.