Louth County Council aren’t exactly covering themselves in clover of late.
A fortnight ago, as we were still coming to terms with the ramifications of their failed PANCR funding application, it emerged that they had been omitted from a €19m Failte Ireland fund to improve facilities for outdoor water-based activities because they hadn’t even applied for it.
Now it has been revealed that Louth County Council, who constantly blame their lack of action on shortage of funds, were awarded €200,000 for the riverside walk at Mell some 14 months ago but they have never collected the money.
Earlier this week Heather Humphries TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, told Deputy Fergus O’Dowd that in 2020, Louth County Council were approved for funding of €200,000 under the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for the development and enhancement of the Boyne Greenway.
“To date, no funding has been drawn down on the approved project” Minister Humphries said.
“Louth County Council has requested permission to revise the scope of the approved works and in this regard, a meeting was held recently between officials from my Department and Louth County Council.
“Following on from that meeting, additional information was requested from Louth County Council and was received on 16th April. This information is now being considered by officials from my Department.”
“This money was approved 14 months ago under the Outdoor Recreation Scheme for the development of the Mell Greenway/Walkway and still not a penny has been drawn down” O’Dowd thundered obviously angered by the revelation.
“I wrote to the Chief Executive of Louth County Council on four separate occasions since the beginning of March and have received no response to date.
“I subsequently wrote to Minister Heather Humphreys to ascertain whether or not this money had been drawn down.
“It is not acceptable that it took my intervention for the council to engage with the Department” he said pointing out also that any monies that are not used within an appropriate timeline from approval are at risk of being lost.
“We as a town need every penny of investment and this type investment in our outdoor infrastructure is vital for tourism, accessibility and physical activity” he said.
