Call to extend deadline for scheme
WHILE a proposal to re-introduce the Rural Improvement Scheme has been welcomed by county councillors, they have said the date set for the expressions of interest in the initiative is unrealistic.
Under the scheme the state provided funds to local authorities to help cover the cost of maintaining private rural roads, with a contribution total towards cost of repairs from people living along these roads.
However, the government effectively abolished the scheme in 2011 by withdrawing the state funding, leaving many roads across rural Cork in a poor state of disrepair.
It recently emerged that the Department of Rural and community Affairs was considering reinstating the scheme. However, it set a date of September 14 for expressions of interest.
Speaking at the September Kanturk/Mallow district area meeting Cllr Gerard Murphy (FG) said the deadline of September 14 was too restrictive for new applications.
“This gives very little time to put together any new proposals for inclusion under the scheme. I can only suggest that we move forward with those applications made prior to 2011, a list of which is held by the county engineer,” said Cllr Murphy.
“Unfortunately, the time scale is fairly limited so the council should use the information already on hand to out together a detailed proposal before it expires. If the scheme is to be reintroduced I hope the deadline for submissions will be more realistic in the future,” he added.
Cllr John Paul O’Shea (Ind) said he too welcomed the move to reinstate the scheme.
“However, it does seem to be very much a last minute thing by the government, giving very little time for submissions of interest. While I hope will go ahead in 2018, there does not seem to be any logical thinking behind it,” he said.
“Given the short space of time for submissions, I would agree with Cllr Murphy that a submission for funding should be made using those applications already on file. My fear is that it has not been updated for a number of years and many roads in bad need of repair will not be included,” he added.
Senior council engineer Jim Moloney was quick to point out that the idea of reinstating the scheme was just a proposal and nothing had yet been set in stone.
“I don’t think that we necessarily have to have a submission by September 14, just an indication of interest in uptake for it,” said Mr Moloney.
Cllr O’Shea said that if there was the case the September 14 deadline should be extended to allow time for the compiling and inclusion of fresh applications.
His sentiments have been echoed by Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Aindrias Moynihan, who said the September 14 deadline did not give many rural dwellers the chance to contact the council with proposed projects.
“This deadline should be extended do we can give a fair and accurate assessment of what is needed,” he said.