By Dan Walsh
Many rural roads throughout County Wexford have been adversely impacted by the unusually wet weather. According to Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin TD, their condition is deteriorating rapidly. “The roads are deteriorating before our eyes,” he declared.
Due to limited funding, it seems unlikely that any significant improvements will be made any time soon.
Teachta Ó Súilleabháin told WexfordLocal.com that “County Wexford alone faces a funding deficit of €190 million for rural roads. This situation is completely unacceptable.”
“Wexford County Council has worked tirelessly to stretch the minimal budget received each year to complete desperately needed works. However, it is not solely the responsibility of local authorities to fund our annual roads budget.
“I want to acknowledge and commend the Directors of Services in both Wexford and Wicklow County Councils, along with our district engineers, for their professionalism and dedication. Unfortunately, their efforts can only bring us so far.
“Our roads are rapidly deteriorating, causing significant disruption for road users and presenting serious road safety risks across our counties.
“I am calling on the Minister to allocate the 2026 roads funding based on road condition, rather than the existing model, which allocates funding per kilometre. If such a change is not possible currently, then I am requesting that the Minister provide additional emergency funding in Budget 2026 to address the roads that are now crumbling and, in some locations, becoming almost impassable.
“It is deeply unfair that motorists are being burdened with rising vehicle maintenance costs as a direct result of inadequate road surfaces.
“I am therefore renewing my call on the Minister to provide the necessary funding to help us respond to what has become a genuine roads emergency,” concluded Teachta Ó Súileabháin.
WexfordLocal.com 