Laois County Council have unveiled their Indicative Capital Program 24 – 26 which sets out a list of projects proposed to be undertaken over the next three years.
The actual level of expenditure will largely be contingent on the amount and timing of funding from the exchequer and other outside sources.
The total estimated expenditure for the period is an eye-watering €315,487,065.
This includes almost €220 million for housing, almost €28 million for flood relief, and almost €16 million for urban regeneration.
The housing breakdown includes over €180 million for the construction of new houses; €11.4 million for the Housing Acquisition Programme; and €9 million for affordable housing.
With climate change an ever-growing burden, a further €10.5 million has been allocated to the Energy Efficiency Programme.
The main areas of concern for flood relief have been allocated significant funding: €15 million for Portarlington Flood Relief Scheme (FRS); €8.5 million for Mountmellick FRS; and €3.5 million for Clonaslee FRS.
Noting the disparity in Urban Regeneration (€15.9 million) versus Rural Regeneration (€11.7 million), Independednt Cllr Aisling Moran questioned why Portlaoise was to receive more funding than the rest of the County combined.
“Laois is not just Portlaoise,” Cllr Moran said.
In terms of Road Transport and Safety, five areas have been identified as “Smart Travel,” and will receive a total of €6 million.
This includes €3 million for cycling; €1.4 million for public e-charge points; €1.2 million for public transport; and another million for safe routes to school.
Portarlington and Durrow have been allocated €1 million per town for “Traffic Management.” This will include a new carpark in Durrow, much tonthe delight of local Cllr Ollie Clooney.
Climate Action Programme will receive just over €7.2 million, the bulk of that (€4.5 million) being earmarked for energy upgrades for Council houses.
Economic Development and Tourism will receive just over €6 million, which includes €1 million for the Junction 17 Enterprise Park, as well as €1.5 million for a new business park in Portarlington.
A further €3.5 million will be divided between three tourist attractions at Dunamase, Donnaghmore, and Portarlington.
€4.1 million was allocated for Fire Services, with Cllrs told that the 1.5 million earmarked for Rathdowney Fire Station would be the priority once work at Stradbally Fire Station (€2 million) was complete.
The exact figures are as follows:
- Housing – €218,769,300
- Flood Relief – €27,750,000
- Urban Regeneration – €15,900,000
- Rural Regeneration – €11,724,415
- Road Transport and Safety – 10,850,000
- Co-Funded Scheme Supports – 10,000,000
- Climate Action Programme – €7,225,850
- Economic Development and Tourism – €6,137,500
- Fire Services – €4,100,000
- Leisure / Amenities – €1,750,000
- Burial Grounds – €1,030,000
- Library Development – €250,000
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