Sir, – What housekeeper, when very short of money, uses a large sum of money to dig up their existing garden paving in order to replace it with different paving, rather than looking after the sick and disabled members of their family?
I was incensed to see that Grafton Street’s existing red paving is to be dug up and replaced with pink and grey granite (Home News, May 4th). The cost of this will be €2.5 million. The project will last from the end of May until November 2014. In these days of recession we could surely put up with red underfoot for another few years.
And why undertake this in our capital’s principal street coming into the summer? What effect will this unwelcome activity have on the visitors we are being encouraged to invite to come to Ireland this year? And what will be the knock-on effect for retailers already experiencing downturns and endeavouring to survive until the economy improves?
How much was “saved” by cutting the transport for severely disabled people? How much was saved by cutting the money for carers? I am sure €2.5 million would go a long way to replace these cutbacks. I am aware that the money for both areas come from different budgets. However, the Government has power to make changes when required in emergencies or for the good of the country. I appeal to it to make this change urgently. Let’s have an end to non-essential expenditure and ensure our most vulnerable citizens are no longer pushed to the limits of their endurance, or beyond. – Yours, etc.
PATRICIA LAWLER,
Ballykelly,
New Ross, Co Wexford.