Council refutes suggestion that it is not providing good services

At this month's Council meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon, Cllr Des Guckian proposed a motion, urging Councillors to support him in calling on senior officials to seek a doubling of central government funding for all council departments.

“This is not unreasonable as we're now being told that the country is awash with money,” Cllr Guckian said.

“Leitrim is a very rural county, with agriculture in fast decline. Rural communities are falling apart, vulture funds are buying up large amounts of properties and immigration of our youth.

“It is time to put more emphasis on supporting our own needy people and offering them worthwhile services.

“The Council's work should be about providing good services. From my experience over the last 10 years, I feel this is not being done to the necessary degree.

“I'm concerned about the very future of this county as an entity. It seems to me, the central government would be happy to see the back of us,” he continued. 

Call for provision of grants to support the refurbishment of vacant properties in Leitrim

Cllr Gilmartin called for a multi-faceted approach Croí Cónaithe scheme to encourage applicants

Cllr Guckian's proposal faced opposition from newly appointed Chief Executive, Joseph Gilhooly and other Councillors.
“The county has had good progression in the last five years,” said Mr Gilhooly. “There's more work to be done, and we're happy to push on and get that work done but the county is improving. 

“There's been a forty percent increase in population in the last 25 years. It's important to acknowledge where things are better. 

“There's an array of Government departments and Government agencies that are supporting the future of this county very strongly,” he said. 

The Council's overall revenue budget has significantly increased, rising from €36.5 million in 2019 to €52.5 million in 2025. 

The Council is also executing a nearly €400 million strategic investment programme, attracting funding from various sources such as Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Housing. 

Cllr Enda McGloin commented, “To suggest that somehow the Government is turning their back on us, I don't accept under any circumstance. 

“We all have to live within budgets and try do the best we can with the investment we get and strive to increase it. 

“We know from tax figures that in all the public expenditure areas, most departments in the Government are exceeding omitted targets. 

“We put forward exceptionally good applications and we went out there with a progressive programme, so I don't accept for one moment that this county is being neglected or a back is being turned on us,” Cllr McGloin continued. 

Council urges Government incentives to retain Irish medical professionals

Cllr Warnock's motion received strong support at July's Leitrim County Council meeting

The debate highlighted the challenge of balancing immediate needs with long-term development goals, a topic that is certain to continue being discussed in future Council meetings.