Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With regard the one-off payment allocation of €2.75 million for Galway, can the Minister of State advise whether that one-off payment will go to all local authorities? Of course, it is just a one-off. When we look at the discrepancies that exist with regard to funding, there is a clear issue. I do not hear the Government or Ministers acknowledging the issue regarding the level of funding Galway is receiving. There is a very obvious issue and I do not feel the Government recognises that.

The last time we raised this issue, the fact that Galway County Council opted out of increasing the local property tax was also raised. The nub of the issue is funding from central government, however. It would be very hard for Galway County Council to raise local property tax when we look at the amenities, the state of the roads and the level or lack of maintenance. People cannot be expected to pay higher local property tax and receive nothing in return. I see it in my office in Ballinasloe all the time. People come in with issues and we cannot move them forward, especially with regard to staffing. Another really major issue is the lack of outdoor staff in Galway.

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