Donegal’s County Councillors have today agreed to adopt the Three Year Capital Programme for Donegal County Council for the period 2020 – 2022, despite several members having issues with its contents and omissions.
A sum of €524,308,867 was presented in the programme for the next three years, with an estimated capital expenditure of €157,000,000 in 2020.
Concerns were raised over several categories in the plan today, with councillors from the Donegal Municipal District claiming that there is a lack of investment in the South Donegal region.
Cllr Michael Naughton criticised Donegal Town not being listed as a priority area for flood relief, while the Ballyshannon and Bundoran Fire Stations, piers and harbours, and bridge repair works were also highlighted by councillors as areas in need of funding.
The unfinished Greencastle Harbour was discussed by Cllrs Martin Farren and Rena Donaghey as a vital project requiring capital. Cllr Donaghey enquired about the current position of the Buncrana Leisure Centre plans. Cllr Donal Coyle added that the “traffic chaos” in Letterkenny needed attention and called for the Bonagee Link to be prioritised.
Among other issues raised was MICA. Chief Executive Seamus Neely outlined that the MICA Redress Scheme in Donegal and Mayo has advanced to the stage where the draft regulations, which will give effect to the scheme, are with the Attorney General for review.
Mr Neely welcomed all contributions from councillors and said that there is scope for projects and schemes which are not included in the Three Year Capital Programme to be added in the years to come. He said the programme was an enabling document, not a disabling one.
The programme was eventually passed by members, with Cllr Ciaran Borgan proposing and Cllr Bernard McGuinness seconding.