Craic On

Success

Labour councillor, Martin Farren, has welcomed the progress in sourcing funds for repairs to the storm damage which occurred in the first round of bad weather in January this year.

“Letters were issued on Thursday to the seven worst affected local authorities detailing funding arrangements up to specified levels of allocation for repair and restoration programmes arising from the early phase of severe weather.

“The Repair Funding Ceiling for Donegal is €1.380 m with a once-off re-imbursement of €150,000.

The sum allocated is in line with funding requests made, except that requests for funding of new coastal protection works have been separated and forwarded to the OPW for consideration”, he said.

Martin Delighted

Councillor Farren commended the prompt response by County Council staff who quickly got to work inspecting and costing repairs to the damages in Donegal and getting repair estimates submitted quickly to the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.

“This Section has been working with local authorities since the storms to compile a comprehensive picture of the damage and the costs associated with the severe weather. They presented their   first-round findings to Government in on 11 February and the allocations above are the result.

They are still working to compile a similar picture for damages in the period from 27 Jan to 17 February.  This report will be presented to Government on 04 March for a decision at the end of March”.

Shore Path Will be Fixed

Commenting on the works specific to the shore paths at Moville and Greencastle the Labour councillor said, “It has been decided that the repairs to the shore paths will be accomplished by a combination of works by contractors and by voluntary schemes.

“The local community scheme workers in Moville and Greencastle have already made a start by clearing away damaged areas, by preventing further erosion and by commencing repair works.

“The permission of local landowners has been secured for access to repair sites. Tenders for repair works will be going out to contractors this week and they will have two weeks to respond.

“This could allow works to commence as early as the end of March.

ASAP

“In view of this I will be raising the issue at Tuesday’s Inishowen Electoral Area meeting to see that works on the shore paths to get under way as soon as possible.

“It is important that these amenities are restored quickly and the response from the local community so far is that everyone is willing to co-operate to achieve the best outcome from the funds made available”.

See Martin Farren delighted with shore path money