Ó Súilleabháin Demands Immediate Release of Emergency Funding for Storm-Damaged Rural Roads

Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin has called on the Government to urgently release long-promised emergency funding to address the deteriorating condition of rural roads across Wexford and Wicklow following the devastation caused by Storm Claudia.

Ó Súilleabháin said rural communities have been waiting far too long for action while road conditions continue to worsen on a daily basis.

"Motorists, farmers, local businesses and families are paying the price for Government delays. The condition of many rural roads is now unacceptable, with potholes, surface damage and structural failures causing frustration for road users, increasing vehicle repair costs and creating serious road safety concerns," he said.

Ó Súilleabháin said the issue is not a new one and is something he has consistently highlighted since his election to the Dáil, as well as throughout his ten and a half years serving on Wexford County Council.

"For years, rural communities have been told that improvements are coming, yet many roads continue to deteriorate. People are paying significant road and property taxes and are entitled to expect a safe and functional road network in return."

The Deputy pointed to the scale of the challenge facing both counties. Wicklow County Council has estimated that €15.6 million is required to repair emergency storm-related damage to the county's rural road network — a figure that exceeds the county's entire three-year roads programme.

Meanwhile, Wexford County Council submitted a detailed assessment to the Department more than two years ago outlining how at least €194 million would be needed to bring the county's rural roads up to an acceptable standard. Ó Súilleabháin believes an additional €20 million is now required to address the damage caused by Storm Claudia.

"With favourable weather conditions now arriving, local authorities should have the opportunity to carry out essential repair works immediately. However, they cannot proceed without the funding that has been repeatedly promised."

The Deputy also called for a fundamental reform of the current roads funding model, arguing that allocations should be based on the condition of roads rather than simply the length of the road network.

"The current funding formula is outdated and completely inappropriate. Counties with well-maintained roads continue to receive similar levels of funding, while counties such as Wexford and Wicklow, which have some of the worst road conditions in the country, are being left further behind."

He said the disparity in funding between counties is clearly visible in national local authority comparison data and warned that without intervention the situation will continue to worsen.

"Personally, I am seeing the damage firsthand while travelling throughout North Wexford and South Wicklow, particularly in the southwest of the constituency. Many roads are literally crumbling apart. If action is not taken before winter, these problems will become even more severe."

Ó Súilleabháin has now sought clarification from the Department on when the emergency funding will be released and what plans are in place to tackle the growing crisis facing rural roads.

"Our rural communities deserve better. The Government must stop delaying and provide local authorities with the resources they need to get on with the job."