Cork Council receives largest amount in non-national roads funding

Cork County Council is to receive Eu50.5 million towards the cost of improving non-national roads in 2006, the largest amount payable to one local authority.

Waterford City Council will receive the second largest amount at more than Eu32 million. Meath County Council will get nearly Eu30 million, Galway will get nearly Eu29 million while Kildare is to get nearly Eu27 million.
Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, has warned, however, that local authorities which have been using record Government funding to reduce the proportion of finance they provide themselves may get less money in 2007.

He warned local authorities he would not tolerate them using extra Government money to reduce their share of the cost.
Cork County Council's contribution has gone from Eu10 million, with Government support of Eu12 million around ten years ago, to Eu17 million, with a Government support of Eu40 million, according to Department of the Environment figures.

Local authorities have been receiving record year-on-year increases in funding for local roads. The actual amount has quadrupled to Eu557 million since 1994. However, commercial rates levied by the local authorities rose to about 4% in 2005.
Development levies payable to local authorities have risen to a high of Eu333.7 million in 2004.