Staff at Galway County Council are concerned about further cutbacks in the Roads Department, with the possibility of a three-day week being discussed. Galway West Deputy Noel Grealish has called for Galway County Council officials to enter into dialogue with outdoor staff regarding their concerns about further cutbacks and layoffs in the Roads Department.

"There is concern amongst outdoor staff regarding the possibility of being reduced to a three-day working week, which would lead to a further deterioration of our country roads," said Deputy Grealish.

He said the county's roads had deteriorated significantly in the past number of months due to reduced funds, and further cutbacks would mean even worse roads.

Deputy Grealish has written to both the County Manager and the Director of Services for Roads seeking a meeting to discuss the issues, including possible further cutbacks, the possibility of a three-day week and the curtailment of after-hours call-out services.

"At the moment, County Council outdoor staff are called out after a serious accident to clean up debris and ensure that the road can be opened again as quickly as possible," he said.

"If this service is cutback it will mean that road clean-ups will have to be postponed until Council staff arrive at work the following morning, creating disruption and delays for commuters."

He is also to meet with SIPTU, the union representing the outdoor staff. He has also requested that Transport Minister Noel Dempsey meets County Manager Martina Moloney when he visits Galway this Friday.

"We need to ensure that Galway's roads are maintained at a safe standard and I will be impressing the importance of this on the Minister for Transport, and requesting that he now provide additional funding to help address the shortfall in the roads budget of approximately €10m," said Deputy Grealish.

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