Kerry County Council has been accused of making a project ‘disappear’ after development on Killarney’s new market area has stalled.
Councillor Niall Kelleher felt the Glebe Craft Quarter initiative had ‘vanished into thin air’ despite significant funding announced in 2021.
The project was included in an investment package of over €16m that year, which also provided for the Áras Phádraig and public realm improvements.
It was intended to revitalise Bohereencael Glebe, Milk Market Lane and Old Market Lane.
At a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, Cllr Kelleher asked for an update on the project and was told there was no identified funding stream for the works.
“I’m absolutely shocked,” he said.
“I’m wondering if the Glebe Craft project is the craft of making projects disappear…joking aside, this is something that could be very beneficial. We all know when we travel to Europe they have indigenous craft people.
“It’s hard to establish because of the industry already here, but it seems to have vanished into thin air.”
The council replied that they did have the 2021 Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) funding but that costs for works had increased since the money was allocated. An additional funding source was therefore required, they said.
“The project will be considered as part of future funding applications and Kerry County Council will continue to explore all available funding opportunities to support its delivery,” said the council.
Cllr Kelleher accepted the explanation but noted that the project wasn’t public realm and involved revamping vacant private property.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme