Donegal Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has called on the government to step up with the funding of the rebuilding of Swan Park and Glenevin Waterfall.
The popular Swan Park in Buncrana and Glenevin Waterfall in Clonmany were destroyed by flooding on August 22nd and still not safe for the public to visit. Repairs at Swan Park are estimated at over one million euro, while community efforts are ongoing at Glenevin.
Senator Mac Lochlainn raised the urgent need for funding for restoration work in these areas on two occasions in the past week.
The Inishowen amenities were discussed in the Seanad today after Senator Mac Lochlainn received a disappointing response to a parliamentary question to Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.
Minister Ring said funding schemes for the repair works have closed for 2017 and referred Senator Mac Lochlainn to seek LEADER support.
Senator Mac Lochlainn said: “I am very disappointed with the response of Minister Michael Ring, referring me to the Leader Local Action Group in Donegal for financial support.
“This is just unacceptable as firstly, they will not have the necessary resources to address the scale of the devastation at Swan Park, Buncrana alone (estimated at well over one million euro) and secondly why should local projects already applying for funding to the Leader Local Action Group in Donegal, lose out?”
“Swan Park and Glenevin Waterfall are vital amenities to the people of Buncrana and Clonmany and important amenities for tourism and visitors to Inishowen. Both amenities are not accessible to the public at the moment due to the devastation caused by the August floods.
“The Glenevin Waterfall Committee and the local community leaders in the Clonmany area have done fantastic work over recent weeks to get the walk up to Glenevin Waterfall reinstated and open to the public again. They will however need significant financial support from Government.
“Sadly, the situation in Swan Park is much more serious. It is estimated that restoration works throughout the park could amount to over one million euro. There is just no way that Donegal County Council can be expected to foot this bill on their own.
“The Government must urgently step up to the plate and put in place a funding package that enables the reopening and the restoration of our beautiful park at the earliest opportunity”.
Featured image – Swan Park via www.facebook.com/WindyDayMedia
Tags:
