Infrastructure Stimulus Plan to benefit Laois directly – Flanagan

Fine Gael Chairman Charlie Flanagan has said the announcement of a €150m Exchequer capital funding programme for the next year will directly benefit projects in County Laois. The allocation of funding will be concentrated on the areas of road repairs and a local authority energy efficiency scheme in the county.

“Minister Varadkar has allocated €50m nationally for a road improvement programme which will allow for repairs and renewal of road surfaces. The road network around Laois has suffered following two very difficult winters however this allocation of funding to Laois County Council will allow them to carry out road repairs and maintenance over the next few months. Resources are limited however the Minister has recognised that a failure to continue the upkeep in road maintenance can prove more expensive in the long run”.

“The capital funding programme also saw a commitment to provide a further €50m to local authorities for an energy efficiency scheme. The energy insulation measures will target the 25,000 least energy efficient local authority homes. The result of this will mean warmer homes and lower energy for many families around the county”

“The proposed works on our roads and in the energy efficiency sector will help create jobs throughout local communities. These perceived minor works tend to be more labour intensive. This funding announcement is the first time there has been an increase to the capital budget since 2008 and it is important that local communities can see direct benefit from capital expenditure through improved road surfaces and energy efficient homes”