Council debates response to big freeze as damage and costs exceed €10 million

Donegal County Council is debating a lengthy report on the severe weather experienced between November and January, with the cost of damage to roads and other factors laid out. Members have been told that damage to roads across the county will cost just over €8 million euro to repair. However, no extra money will be made available by government, with the council being forced to redirect monies from existing budgets for the most urgent projects.
Of the damage to roads, €3 million was sustained in the Stranorlar Electoral Area, €2.5 million in the Letterkenny area, €1 million in Glenties, €900,000 in Inishowen and €650,000 in Donegal. The costs of the problems with water supplies and infrastructure are still being assessed.
The council has also been told that new salt barns are being built  in Carndonagh and Stranorlar. Meanwhile, issues of how to source and use salt are being discussed at a series of meetings which is getting underway.
An extra €2 million has been incurred in operational costs. A million of that was recouped from Government before Christmas and an application was made last week for the rest.