As my colleagues have said, the funding Galway County Council receives is below the national average, yet it is the second biggest county in the State. It makes no sense and it has a huge impact on every single person who lives in County Galway. It impacts council resources, and it has a significant impact and is really seen on the ground in terms of outdoor staff, who have been absolutely slashed across Galway County Council. I am very proud to represent east Galway, and in particular the town of Ballinasloe. It is regularly pointed out to me in relation to the maintenance of the streets, roads and homes across Ballinasloe and the towns and villages throughout County Galway. It makes no sense. When we look at the funding year on year for the second largest county in the State, it is typically second last or last in terms of the level of funding it receives. This is stifling development across the county of Galway. We also see question marks over value for money where the outdoor staff are not there. With simple basic things like the litter that has to be gathered up, the services have to be contracted out. That is not value for money. We should have the staff and resources to do it ourselves.

Sentiment score: 0.05

It is true to say that the level of funding is not adequate. Galway County Council, even with the recent uplifts in additional funding that have come from here and there, is so far behind due to years of underinvestment and not receiving an adequate amount that it is going to take some time to catch up. That is why the specific ask from the council should be heard by the Government and made available. The nub of the issue remains. There are smaller counties with smaller land areas and smaller populations that have more outdoor staff, more council resources and receive more money from central government than Galway County Council. That is the nub of the issue, and it has not been answered again this evening. None of us is any the wiser as to why that is the case for Galway County Council.

Sentiment score: 0.06