Waterford City and County councillors have expressed frustration over ongoing delays to the long-promised lighting project for the People’s Park in Waterford City, despite funding being allocated several budgets ago and a motion passed in late 2024 reaffirming their commitment to the initiative.
At a recent council meeting, councillors were surprised to learn that the project had stalled due to staffing shortages within the council. The news came despite the completion of environmental assessments and public consultations, which recommended low-level, waist-high lighting to avoid disrupting local wildlife and to address concerns from nearby residents about potential light pollution.
Funding
Councillors questioned why they had not been informed earlier and asked for clarity on the status of the funds assigned to the project. Council officials stated that the money remains available, depending on whether it was allocated from a capital or revenue budget.
Cllr. Eamon Quinlan called for a system to track projects that are at risk of missing their end-of-year completion deadline, allowing councillors to reassign funds to other urgent priorities if needed. Follow-up meetings have been agreed to investigate the delay further and to improve transparency and oversight in the council’s project delivery process.
“The People’s Park is one of our city’s best-used public amenities, “Cllr. Quinlan said, “but in the darker months, when it gets dark by 4 pm, it becomes largely unusable. A large, dark park isn’t just uninviting — it discourages people from walking, jogging, or getting outside. Installing appropriate lighting would open the space up to year-round use, encouraging healthier lifestyles and a greater sense of safety for everyone.”
“Budget decisions are a reserved function of the elected councillors. That means we decide how public money is allocated, and the executive then delivers on that. If a project like this is delayed, councillors should be informed immediately. We need a clear picture of what projects aren’t moving so we can redirect that funding to other pressing needs — whether that’s fixing footpaths, resurfacing roads, or supporting local clubs. Letting money sit idle is not acceptable.
“The councillors were not impressed, to be fair,” Cllr. Quinlan said. “I not only asked where the money was, but also spoke about the need to get a grip on this process. Budgeting is a reserve function of the councillors. That means we approve how the money is spent, and the executive implements it. We need to ensure we have a clear list, every October, of what projects aren’t going to be completed—so we can redirect that funding to other urgent priorities like road repairs or community grants.”
“The park lighting project is important,” Quinlan concluded. “But this is also about accountability. We owe it to the people of Waterford to ensure their money is spent wisely—and without unnecessary delay.”
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