School therapists, sight-saving operations or a home: Cork politicians say funding for €336k bike shed could have been spent differently

Cork TDs and general election candidates spent much of today dealing with angry constituents after it came to light that a bicycle shed built on the grounds of Leinster House cost €336,000. A number of them have made suggestions to The Echo as to what they would spend that money on as well as building the required shelter for their bikes.

According to Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD, Thomas Gould, the price tag for the shed had sparked anger among many of those who attended his clinic on Tuesday. 

“You could take that €335,000 and sort out therapists for St Killian’s Special School for two years and still a build a fine bicycle shed,” said the TD.

Cork South West TD Michael Collins last week brought the 165th bus load of cataract sufferers from Cork to Belfast for a sight saving operation before a cut came into effect on Sunday which would reduce the reimbursement available for those people from €1,950 to €1170. According to his calculations the €336,000 would pay for that €780 reimbursement to be restored to well over 300 patients as well as building a reasonable bike shed. Mick Barry, the People before Profit Solidarity TD in Cork North Central suggested that a bike shed could be built for well under the €336,000.

Labour Party councillor and Cork South Central election candidate Laura Harmon said €100,000 could be given to parents trying to build a playground in Carrigaline while the surplus could build public toilets at Murphy’s Farm and The Lough as well as a bus-shelter at Rossbrook Estate and monitored bins for dog waste at Turner’s Cross and Deerpark Estate.

“That could be the price of a home for some people in Cork South Central,” she added.

Oliver Moran, the Green Party councillor in Cork City North East, said the figure being linked to bike shed was incredible.

“€300k is the figure we’re talking about for upgrading footpaths in each of Cork city’s wards,” he said.

An Taoiseach Simon Harris has described the expenditure on the bike shed as ‘inexplicable and inexcusable’ while Office of the Public Works minister, Kieran O’Donnell, has ordered an immediate full review to be carried out regarding the project.