€582M EARMARKED FOR AMBITIOUS THREE YEAR PLAN
AN additional €100 million has been added to the budget for the county’s three-year capital programme.
Brian Gleeson, Head of Finance, Wicklow County Council outlined the three year capital programme for 2020-2022 to councillors at their March meeting. He highlighted the amount proposed was €582 million, which was an increase of €100 million on last year, primarily for enhanced provision of housing.
Projects where funding has been secured including the Wicklow Library, Arklow Historic Town Core and Fitzwilliam Square have also been included in the plan.
Mr Gleeson said it was ‘an aspirational plan’ with projects dependant on funding to move forward.
Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy (FG) asked if the plan considered how to fund affordable housing in the county.
Wicklow County Council Chief Executive Frank Curran said two affordable housing schemes are being developed in Kilcoole and Greystones. Council land is used to subsidise scheme. Depending on the formation of the next Government, other affordable housing schemes may also be developed.
Cllr Avril Cronin (FG) asked if the capital programme included funding for a feasibility study for the pool in west Wicklow.
Mr Gleeson said the development of a pool would be subject to a feasibility study. If grant aid for a study can’t be secured, the council will see if the money can be found from its own funding.
Mr Curran said the support of the Department was crucial for the project to go forward. ‘I think if they are serious about it they will fund the design of it,’ he added.
In response to questions from Cllr Peir Leonard (Ind), Mr Gleeson said an application had been submitted for funding for the Abbey quarter in Arklow which would include the Pottery Museum. He said applications had also been submitted for funding of the harbours in Arklow, Bray and Wicklow.
Cllr Leonard noted that €600,000 for coastal erosion appeared to a small amount given the importance of the issue. Mr Gleeson said this was the council’s contribution with funding provided by the Office of Public Works and the Department of Transport.
Cllr Pat Kennedy (FF) asked for a guarantee that funding would be available for a transport study of Rathdrum.
Mr Curran said that funding had been sought for design fees and even if this is not obtained, the study will go ahead.
Cllr Gerry Walsh (FF) asked for an update on electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Mr Gleeson said the project was at very early stage of discussion with the ESB and the allocation in the programme was an estimate. Mr Curran said area engineers were looking for suitable places to install chargers. He suggested Greystones may be first as it currently has no EV charging points.