Minutes of Ennis Municipal District Special Meeting 27 March 2025

Minutes of Special Meeting of Ennis Municipal District held on 27^th March 2025

Present:

Councillors attending:

Councillor C. Colleran-Molloy (Cathaoirleach)

Councillor M. Howard (Leas-Cathaoirleach)

Councillor P. Murphy

Councillor T. O’Callaghan

Councillor T. Guilfoyle

Councillor A. Baker Bashua

 

Officials attending in person:

Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer

Liam O’Connor, Administrative Officer

Patrick Tiernan, A/Senior Engineer

Donnagh Murphy, A/Senior Executive Engineer

Niamh O’Connor, Administrative Officer and Meetings Administrator

Lily McInerney, Staff Officer (minutes).

 

Apologies:

Cllr Pat Daly.

Sean Lenihan, A/Director of Services

 

Presiding:

Chair Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy opened the meeting welcoming all to the Special Meeting of Ennis Municipal District to approve the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2025.

 

Item 1: Schedule of Municipal District Works 2025.

Ar moladh Councillor M. Howard Cuidithe ag Councillor A. Baker Bashua agus glacadh leis

“That the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2025 be adopted.”

 

Cyril Feeney informed Members that a slightly different approach had been taken with the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2025 (“SMDW”) and he shared a presentation, to help clarify how road funding allocations were arrived at. The presentation provided an overview of the allocations for County Clare and each Municipal District.

 

Key points from the presentation were as follows ;

 

• A focus on pavement condition as the key driver in allocation of funding across all category of roads.   Last year the Department published the Memorandum on Grants for Regional and Local Roads which stipulates, use of the PSCI rating system, to target investment into those roads with greatest need. The rating category is decided through continuous road surveying.
• The €3.38m allocation for Ennis represents a reduction of €500k from 2024. The Senior Engineer clarified that this is a reflection of the comparatively good paving standard in Ennis. Killaloe and Kilrush have seen substantial increased allocation based on their ratings.
• In 2024/Q3 the Department issued its multi annual Restoration Improvement Programme (every 3 years) and there is an emphasis on early intervention projects. There is a requirement to submit projects by order of priority rather than on Municipal District level. 
• Own Resources funding is increasingly challenging for local authorities, as the Memorandum stipulates that under no circumstances should Own Resources be allowed to reduce in line with Exchequer funding.   For 2025 our Own Resources allocation of €3,210,000 is not substantial and this is particularly challenging in light of construction inflation over the past few years.
• The Department carries out a rigorous audit of local authorities and diligence is required on all public procurement systems.
• Restoration Improvement and Restoration Maintenance, the two main categories, amounts to €17m in the overall programme, which is then split 50:50 in allocation.Presentation ended. Cyril Feeney addressed Members concerns and questions.   

Cllr O’Callaghan expressed concern at the reduction in Ennis’s allocation which in reality is greater than the €500k when you factor in construction inflation. He questioned this model from central government which puts a burden on the local purse. Cyril acknowledged the additional strain on local resources and explained that there is always the potential for a supplementary budget from central government.

Cllr Baker suggested that Ennis requires greater investment due to the higher population and traffic volumes. She queried the logic of increased investment in rural roads which could be dug up later for fibre optic installation or other services. Cyril explained that broadband works tend to use overhead poles. He highlighted that Clare’s rural roads have increasing volumes of traffic, particularly from the farming and tourism sectors and the increased investment is understandable.

Cllr Howard voiced concern that Ennis will retain its current roads crew. The Senior Engineer advised that the intention is to retain all staff and thus a balance must be struck between managing Own Resources and delivering the roadworks programme.

Cllr Guilfoyle questioned the reduction in the Ennis roads budget, given the larger population and the many roads in Ennis which require works.   He queried the overall reduction in investment from central government at a time when there is a national tax surplus. Cyril Feeney assured Members that the executive engages with the Department on a regular basis and Clare benefited from a supplementary budget when pressures such as Climate Change targets were being faced. He added that the Council also makes demands and observations to various Departments and to our Oireachtas Members and will shortly be going to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to make cases for our roads programme.

Cllr Colleran Molloy remarked on the changes from recent years and the stark differences between MDs.  She requested clarity on these figures. Cyril Feeney provided the figures:   

• Killaloe €7.1 (up by €1.1m)
• Kilrush €8.5m (up by €2.4m)
• Ennistymon €5.4 (up by €200k).
• Shannon €2.9 (down by €300k)
• Ennis €3.3 (down by €500k)

All Ennis Members expressed disappointment at the reduction in funding allocation for 2025 and hoped that the challenges faced can be met without a loss of staff or reduction in quality. 

Cyril concluded, adding that the roadworks programme starts in March and must be concluded by November.

The Senior Engineer recommended adoption of the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2025.

This item was proposed by Cllr. M. Howard, seconded by Cllr. A. Baker Bashua and agreed by all Members. Schedule of Municipal District orks 2025 adopted by Ennis Municipal District.

Conclusion

The meeting ended at 15:55hrs.

Signed: ____________________________ Riarthóir Cruinnithe

Signed: _____________________________ Cathaoirleach

Date:                  _____________________________

Page last reviewed: 14/04/25

Content managed by: Ennis Municipal District

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