Sligo roads cost increases
Senator Cosgrove warned that rising material costs, driven by the Middle East conflict, are making it harder for local authorities to deliver planned road projects.
I again raise the issue of funding for local government. This month's meeting of Sligo County Council heard that due to the war in the Middle East, the costs of road-building materials have increased by 25% to 30%. We all see the impact of it through the rising fuel costs, but often we do not think about the effect of the rising cost of by-products, such as petroleum tar, on local government. My former colleagues in Sligo County Council were told by the director of services that because the price of material costs has gone up so much, unfortunately, the roads which were due to be delivered in 2026 are going to be pushed out to 2027. That is going to keep going on now. What I am asking is that the Minister commits to giving additional funding, across all the county councils, so at least roads which were promised to be built this year can actually be completed this year, and we are not always on the back foot for the next couple of years. I would appreciate it if the Acting Leader could bring that back to the Department.