Council urged to prioritise Rosemount footpaths for work

The Municipal District of Athlone-Moate has undertaken to consider footpath improvements in Rosemount next year.

At a recent council meeting, Fianna Fáil councillor Vinny McCormack said footpaths in the area are approximately 30 years old and should be prioritised for funding next year.

Cllr. McCormack said the council has a duty to make the footpaths 'better and safer' for Rosemount's residents. He praised the people of Rosemount, who he said are always more than happy to fund its own projects, but that the council needs to step forward on this matter and help them out.

Cllr. Tom Farrell, in seconding Cllr. McCormack's motion, said Rosemount is an important rural area that needs to be supported on the matter.

Willie Ryan, District Engineer, asked if Rosemount could seek assistance for its footpaths from the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS), which provides government funding combined with local contributions to repair and upgrade minor public roads, laneways, and cul-de-sacs. However, Cllr McCormack said he doesn't believe the issue should fall back on the people of Rosemount.

“The footpaths were put there by the local authority at some stage, and I think the local community would rightly say it's the council responsibility,” Cllr. McCormack said.

The District said that it will inspect the footpaths in Rosemount and assess their condition. Subject to the outcome of that assessment and the funding available, it said that footpath improvements may be considered for inclusion in the 2027 programme.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme