Director of Finance, Sean Mullarkey gave a detailed account of the report, in particular the Income and Expenditure account and the Transfers between Revenue Account and Capital Account.

Members expressed their views as follows:

• Concerns were expressed that the €266,000 allocated to unfinished estates was not sufficient for the 70 plus number of unfinished estates, the majority of which, it was noted, are in north Roscommon.
• The UHD team were commended for their work on unfinished estates to date.
• Calls for the Department to supply sufficient funding for the completion of the estates.
• Important to get estates finished and taken in charge as maintenance of estates is often an issue.
• A long-term view is needed on this issue, it is important for estates to be taken in charge, bonds must be considered in most of these estates.
• Calls to increase the funding allocated to unfinished estates and to allocate a sum for critical emergency works within estates.
• Acknowledgement and support for funding assigned to projects such as the Hodson Bay and Lough Key Masterplans.

Director of Finance, Sean Mullarkey acknowledged the Members points regarding increasing the allocation for unfinished estates and allocating a sum to critical emergency works, and noted these are budget considerations for the next Budget Meeting. He thanked the Planning Department for their work in compiling a schedule of estates to be taken in charge and assured the Members that unfinished estates will be an ongoing item for a number of years until they are all finished, and that all the estates were at varying levels of completion.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice thanked Director of Finance Sean Mullarkey for the work on the Unaudited Financial Statement and Approval of Expenditure and acknowledged that unfinished estates are a huge issue. He mentioned two issues which have caused particular problems were estates in the past being granted planning permission without adequate paths and boundary walls. He reiterated the need for adequate services and conditions in all estates. He also thanked the taking in charge team for their work.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan reassured members that unfinished estates remain an area of focus for the Council and referred them to the Management Report which outlined that the Council was active in twelve estates, with nine contractors appointed in this quarter. He hoped that more estates will be taken in charge throughout the year, but some estates will be more difficult than others. He reminded the Members that the Council cannot take roads and lighting in charge until Uisce Éireann agrees to take over the water/wastewater facilities, noting that public health was of the utmost importance.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to approve the Unaudited Annual Financial Statement 2024 and Approval of Expenditure, as circulated.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to write to the Department of Local Government to highlight that national funding is required to address the challenges posed by unfinished housing estates, to support local authorities in managing and remediating these developments.