Councillors defend travel budget rise instead of allocating the extra €35,000 for homeless services

Limerick councillors have defended increasing the budget for international travel instead of allocating the extra €35,000 for homeless services, following the death of a mother of two on the streets last week.

Councillors voted against the proposal by Cllr Cian Prendiville, of the Anti-Austerity Alliance, after agreeing to triple its budget for international trips from €15,000 to €50,000.

“Already in 2016 councillors from Limerick have visited Boston, Cannes, Bourdeaux, Birmingham, Greece, London, and Germany. For all these the cost of the flights, accommodation and ‘subsistence payments’ are all paid by the council,” said Cllr Prendiville.