‘Baffling decision’ to cut funding to Leitrim Community Involvement Scheme

Councillors in the Ballinamore area are confused over the “baffling decision” to cut funding for the Community Involvement Scheme on Leitrim roads.

The overall funding is down 18% on last year county wide, this means that Ballinamore MD will have just €107,000 to spend this year which in reality could equate to just four roads.

The Community Involvement Scheme helps communities to get a public road fixed quicker if at least 10% of the total cost is put forward. It is a popular scheme used by forestry companies to fix roads after damage by timber lorries and it benefits a community to get their road fixed much quicker than the long wait on the council list.

When councillors bring motions about local roads in “bad need of repair” a very common reply from Leitrim County Council is the suggestion that the road be put forward for a CIS.

Carrigallen councillor Paddy O'Rourke brought up the issue following the outline of the Annual Area Programme 2023 at the Ballinamore Municipal District meeting on Monday.

He commented “it doesn't add up” and argued that while citizens don't want to pay towards the cost of the road works on their local road, they have over the years accepted it and many residents have come together to avail of the scheme.

He asked for a “justification” in the €20,000 reduction, but was told the decision was made at Government level.

Cllr Brendan Barry asked if the scheme is over subscribed?

Council engineer Darragh O'Boyle said there are currently 40-50 applicants on the waiting list for South Leitrim and with the current estimates of black top which is up 17% on last year, the council may be able to complete four roads in the Ballinamore area this year, three of them are expected to be forestry funding roads.

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke also said that some applicants to the LIS scheme have been informed by the council that their roads are actually public and could qualify for a CIS ... but he said this was not helpful in light of the reduction in funding.

Cllr Enda McGloin said it was disappointing news, especially since citizens are eager and anxious to pay.

Cllr O'Rourke returned to say that “no other county in Ireland has such a dependence on small roads” and so put forward that Leitrim should make a special case for extra funding.

All Ballinamore area councillors agreed and so will make representations to TDs and Government to seek extra funding for Leitrim CIS applicants.

Overall funding streams for roads programs increased on last year's figures, but caution is attached as the price of materials have risen which means that not all roads planned for works this year may be completed.