Clare bottom in Munster for roads grants

Clare has received the lowest national roads grant figure in Munster. In fact, Clare was granted less than 5% of the entire €110.25m allocated to the province. For 2011, the national Roads Authority (NRA) has confirmed.

At Tuesday’s Kilrush Electoral Area meeting, Nora Kaye of Clare County Council revealed Clare received funding of €5,450,934. The figures were initially released by the NRA last Friday.
Although Clare’s allocation increased when compared to 2010 figures, the remaining five Munster counties were granted more money.
Cork county and city received a total of €40.9m, while Kerry benefited to the tune of €36.4m. Limerick county was granted €11.2m in funds and Tipperary North and South combined for a figure of €10.3m. Waterford emerged as the second lowest on the Munster list, receiving a total of €6m between their city and county councils. Figures were not available for Limerick City.
A spokesperson for the NRA pointed out, however, that some of the grant money was for payments on what were described as “existing works”. The Clare figures were, however, an increase on 2010. The national primary pavement and minor works totalled €1.4m, a 66% increase on last year.
The figure for national secondary pavement and minor works came to €2.502.5m in Clare, which is an approximate 50% increase on 2010; €220,000 of Clare’s grant total was allocated to the Ennis bypass.
The grant allocation does not include non-national roads. That figure is due to be released in the coming weeks.