Waterford road problems get hidden behind smoke

Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Deputy Conor D. McGuinness and his party colleague, Councillor Catherine Burke, have criticised the Government’s announcement on Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funding as a “smoke and mirrors” exercise.

The politicians expressed criticism of Minister Dara Calleary for what they say is the recycling of previous allocations to give the appearance of substantial new investment in rural infrastructure.

“This week’s announcement gives the impression of a major funding boost for rural roads in 2025,” said Deputy McGuinness. 

“But in reality, around half of that funding had already been committed by the previous Minister last year," he added.

"The Minister has simply combined that previously announced allocation with this week’s top-up, and presented it as if it were all new."

However, Deputy McGuinness welcomed the funding but said it didn't go far enough.

“Any extra funding is welcome and Waterford has consistently delivered on its full allocation," he said.

"But the truth is that the scheme has been chronically underfunded for years. Roads engineers have repeatedly highlighted the gap between funding levels and the scale of need across rural counties," he added.

Deputy McGuinness went on to comment: “Unless this is matched by a serious increase in multi-annual investment, we will see further deterioration of rural roads in Waterford and across the State."

"That’s not a risk, it’s a reality we’re already seeing on the ground," he said.

Meanwhile, Comeragh-based Cllr Catherine Burke said the LIS plays a vital role in supporting rural households, farms and small businesses and needs to be treated as a priority.

“In Waterford, demand for the scheme remains high and the Council has a strong record of delivery," she said.

"The problem is that the funding simply doesn’t match what’s needed on the ground. In many cases, rural families are contributing to a scheme they can’t access because of the backlogs caused by underfunding,” she added.

Describing the scheme as one that works - when resourced properly - she said: "Year after year, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ministers have failed to put in place the kind of long-term, reliable funding that’s needed to clear the backlog and deliver for rural communities.”

Deputy McGuinness then said the Government needs to stop re-announcing old allocations and instead face up to the scale of the challenge. 

"We need a fully funded LIS, embedded in a proper rural infrastructure strategy – not short-term spin designed to cover up long-term failure," he said.