A total of 22 housing estates were taken in charge by Galway County Council in the past two years, with 11 taken in charge in both 2016 and 2017.
The Council assume responsibility for the maintenance of road footpaths and public lighting when they take an estate in charge. This status is very important as it also means that Irish Water takes responsibility for the maintenance of the underground pipe network for water and sewerage services. The residents’ associations are responsible for the upkeep of open spaces and green spaces.
I am in discussion with Galway County Council in relation to a number of other housing estates that are in the process of being brought up to standard for taking in charge.
Progress is being made despite the lengthy process and when the process is complete there is certainty in terms of future maintenance costs for residents. Government funding has been made available to assist with the cost of getting estates up to the required standard. This initiative has created the momentum which is vital for the process to be concluded quickly.’
Estates taken in charge in 2017: Cregg View, Oughterard; Riverview, Gort; Church View, Menlough; Wuthering Heights, Mountbellew; Abbey Trinity, Tuam; Woodfield, Tuam; Palace Fields, Tuam; Bothar an tSleibhe, Moycullen; Abhainn Rhuibhe, Oughterard; Cnoc na gCaor, Abbeyknockmoy; Droim na Cille, Loughrea.