The cost of running socially-distanced Donegal county council events in the Aura Leisure Centre cost €3,000 per meeting, it has been revealed.
Donegal County Council has held full plenary council meetings in Letterkenny since May 2020 due to the lack of space in the Lifford County House Chamber for distancing.
The setting up of the Aura multi-purpose hall, the sound system and the remote streaming service come at a cost of approx €3,000.
Meetings have been held at the centre monthly. However, numerous councils have been adjourned over the last year due to disruptions, requiring members to reschedule for other dates.
The council, in response to a question from Independent Cllr Frank McBrearty Jnr, stated that: “There is a requirement to facilitate members and, staff to join meetings remotely and more recently the Council also streams the meetings live on their Facebook page, both of which require significant technical set-up and operation during the course of meetings. Given the size of the meeting area arising from requirements to comply with social distancing rules there was a need to put in place an amplification system . At present, the all-in-costs of a meeting in the Aura is approx €3000. Significant costs are also incurred in relation to adjourned meetings given the set up required in advance.”
