There are "potholes as big as a car"

Cllr Felim Gurn said he had recently been made aware of the issues with the access road into St. Clare’s National School by the principal. 

Addressing the latest Manorhamilton municipal district meeting he said it had "got out of hand" and there were "potholes as big as a car".  

Speaking at the meeting he said that the principal has applied for Clár funding in the past to resurface the carpark and entrance but was unsuccessful. 

He continued: "Surely the Department of Education and the Local Authority can come up with a solution as it is presenting a serious Health and Safety risk to children, parents and teachers. I am asking for engagement between the Local Authority and the principal to get this funded immediately."

He said that if a "child falls and gets a serious injury", it would cause a lot of issues.  

A report by the Roads office said that since 2022, safety measures for schools are no longer eligible for Clár funding and that funding for safety works to schools is available under both the Safe Routes to School Programme/the Active Travel Programme operated by the Department of Transport/TII. However, this would be on public property and the department of Education should have a funding stream for works within the school property.

Leitrim County Council engineer Eric Gilroy said that the only way the council works on private roads is through a Local Improvement Scheme.