Call for accessibility audit of Cork city footpaths as €1m in claims is paid out over last five years

A local election candidate has called for an accessibility audit of Cork city, after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that Cork City Council has paid out more than €1million in footpath claims over the past five years.

The breakdown of figures shows that €773,462 was spent in claims in 2019; €276,092 in 2020; €61,313 in 2021 and €95 in 2022. There had been no payouts in the first quarter of 2023.

The figures were obtained by Labour Party candidate Peter Horgan, who is running in the south-east ward.

“Over €1 million is significant sum in anyone’s books and underpins the need to ensure that all our footpaths are in a proper condition,” Mr Horgan said.

“It is noticeable the dropping amount of payout since 2020 but it is unclear whether this is from contested claims or footpath conditions.

“Either way, we need to see footpaths around the city - old side and new side - funded under active travel to be repaired for all users.”

Mr Horgan said there was a clear need for an accessibility audit of footpaths in the city.

“Whether you are limited in any mobility wise, have young children and need to use a buggy or whatever reason we need to ensure that the city is accessible.

“You just have to look at the pedestrian crossing on Albert Road, which is dropped on one side and has a huge kerb on the other. Has anyone from City Hall ever looked at this crossing and thought maybe we should fix this?” 

Mr Horgan added that greater transparency around the issue of payouts would benefit everyone in the city.

"It would be good to see these figures published online more regularly for all to see and not need the FOI process to uncover them." 

Further, he said, a clear overview of necessary footpath repairs would be helpful. 

“An audit would identify what needs to be done, rather than any piecemeal approach in the city and the wider suburbs.”