Kildare County Council Hits Back Amid Criticism: Defends Investment In Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District

According to the council, basing projections on the Capital budget through a three-year lens "is not possible to get the full picture".

Kildare County Council has defended investment in the communities of the Celbridge-Leixlip municipal district.

It follows recent criticism of a perceived failure of the council to fulfill promises related to development contributions, capital spending, and investment to accommodate the rising population in these areas.

Between 2016 and 2020, just 1% of the council's budget, amounting to €592 million, was allocated for community and public realm assets in the Celbridge-Leixlip municipal district.

Councillor Nuala Killeen revealed that only €4.5 million was actually spent during this period on both areas.

She said it raises serious concerns about the apparent disregard for the essential needs of these towns.

However, the council has hit back.

A spokesperson said: "Looking at the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District in particular, Kildare County Council is in the process of completing the purchase of the Parochial House in Celbridge and the development of this site will see the relocation and redevelopment of the library, development of other community facilities and outdoor amenities."

They added: "Our Open Spaces Department are preparing to proceed to Public Consultation on the location of facilities for teenagers. These are much sought after facilities, and this work is the culmination of an extensive engagement process with the youth and youth groups in the Celbridge area."

"Other infrastructure projects for Celbridge include the second bridge crossing and the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the existing bridge and the new co-located Civil Amenity Centre and Municipal District Offices are to be developed near the Celbridge interchange (subject to Planning Permission)."

They said the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District has been a significant beneficiary of Roads Capital funding over time, citing investment in the M4 as "ongoing".

Cllr Killeen recently emphasised the anticipation of essential amenities, recreational spaces, and cultural hubs that would contribute to the overall well-being and vitality of Celbridge and Leixlip communities.

She explained how additional data reveals that out of the total capital expenditure of €592 million between 2016 and 2020, just €4.5 million was allocated for community and public realm assets.

Leixlip saw only €3 million (1% of the total) spent in its municipal district during this period, and just 2% of the €15 million budget for community and public realm in the Celbridge-Leixlip district was allocated to public round recreation and community assets.

Despite a housing program valued at €35.3 million, only slightly over €4 million of this was spent in the Leixlip-Celbridge municipal district between 2016 and 2020.

Furthermore, a roads program with a budget of €141 million saw no spending in Leixlip-Celbridge during the same period.

However, according to the council, basing projections on the Capital budget through a three-year lens "is not possible to get the full picture".

They said capital has to be appraised in a much longer timeframe.