Laois councillor demands fortnightly updated statistics on county
A Laois councillor has asked for fortnightly updated statistics on the county, so its future can be best planned.
Statistics covering everything from the number of vacant properties to the miles of bicycle lanes in Laois, should be free to view on a "dashboard" says Cllr Aisling Moran.
She tabled a motion to the December meeting of Laois County Council, asking it to seek access to a research institute to use their programs to better inform the Laois public.
Cllr Moran wants Laois County Council to ask the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University, "as a matter of priority" to exend use of its 'regional development monitor' to all local authorities.
The dashboards and maps "are of intrinisic importance to delivering effective local managment and tracking societal needs," Cllr Moran said in her motion.
"This is a very valuable tool of reference, showing economic and social trends, people and places, housing, labour statistics. The only people who use it are regional authorities and the OSI.
"I ask that they open it up, every two weeks each council puts in a spreadsheet with the number of vacant properties, the miles of cycle lanes, it's a brilliant tool and needs to be opened to county councils," Cllr Moran said.
Her motion was seconded by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, with no other comment made on it at the meeting.