An hour’s free parking would be a big boost for businesses

Almost €10million for roads in B’sloe MD

BALLINASLOE Councillors passed a motion last week for one-hour free parking in the town in a bid to assist local businesses.

The motion was suggested and passed during the draft 2027 Budget meeting for the Ballinasloe MD last week and will be sent to the council’s SPC (Strategic Policy Committee) on roads.

“I would like to see free parking in Ballinasloe. Given the vacancy in Ballinasloe, it would bring more people into town and support businesses. We’ve raised it time and time again,” said Independent Councillor Evelyn Parsons.

Ballinasloe MD Councillors have previously tried to get one-hour free parking measures for the town, but it has failed to get past the council’s roads SPC.

“I’m on the roads SPC. I’ve raised it on several occasions, but parking rates are a countywide thing. It has to be done countywide. We can’t get any special treatment in Ballinasloe,” said Cllr Michael Connolly.

There is free parking across the towns of County Roscommon, something that was highlighted by Councillors.

“It was a disastrous national Budget. Small business in towns like Ballinasloe will be hammered. If we can, we need to try and rid of the parking rates or at least have one-hour free parking to help businesses. Ballinasloe is different to other towns. It’s competing against Roscommon and Athlone,” said Cllr Declan Geraghty.

Independent Ireland Cllr Geraghty and Sinn Féin Cllr Dermot Connolly voted against passing the draft 2027 budgetary plan for the Ballinasloe MD last week.

The plan was eventually adopted following a vote with four councillors – Evelyn Parsons, Michael Connolly, Peter Keaveney and Alan Harney – voting in favour. The plan will go forward as part of the overall 2027 Budget for Galway County Council, which will be decided upon at a plenary meeting next month.

The 2027 budgetary plan caters for an increase in indicative expenditure for the Ballinasloe area of €775,512 (almost seven per cent), with inflation factored into the calculations.

The indicative expenditure increases from €10.5million in 2026 to €11.3million. Almost €10million has been set aside for the 2027 roads programme in the MD. Other sections that have seen increases include community grants and casual trading areas, while there is a slight decrease in expenditure for burial grounds maintenance.

“With the roads section, costs have gone up by 50 per cent. That’s a good few million there and it’s an increase of €775,000. Let’s get real here, how will we ever get the roads done? We’re fighting a losing battle,” said Cllr Geraghty.

“It is disappointing. I think a very clear message has to be sent here today that we’re being neglected. It’s repetitive stuff all year round about being underfunded.

“People are haemorrhaging money out there. They don’t have any disposable income. The Budget didn’t do one thing to put money into people’s pockets. Shame on Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents backing them. It’s an absolute joke to the people of rural Ireland.”

“It might be indicative, but it will not change,” said Cllr Connolly. “It didn’t change last year. The evidence shows us that.”

The details of the draft budgetary plan were presented by Katie O’Connor, Director of Services for Finance in the council. Ms O’Connor outlined the challenges presented with formulating the budget due to factors including inflation and staffing transfers from the local authority to Uisce Éireann.

“The overall Budget for the council last year was €203million. Because of inflation, you’re looking at an additional uplift of €7million just to stand still and if you ask any businessperson, they’ll say that you’re going backwards if you’re standing still,” said Ms O’Connor.