Manpower shortage stalls plans to upgrade Munster's public lighting

A British company was awarded the €140m installation contract to replace 326,000 lights

In February 2019, it was announced Cork County Council would be the lead authority overseeing the installation of the new energy-efficient LED public lights for its own county as well as Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Waterford. File picture

The plan to upgrade inefficient public lighting across Munster risks being blown after a British firm awarded the €140m contract admitted it was struggling to recruit skilled manpower for the job.

In February 2019, it was announced Cork County Council would be the lead authority overseeing the installation of the new energy-efficient LED public lights for its own county as well as Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Waterford.

A British company was subsequently awarded the €140m installation contract to replace 326,000 lights.

However, Niall Healy, the head of Cork County Council’s roads and transportation directorate, which is in charge of implementing the project, said progress had stalled as the contractor was facing challenges in recruiting suitably qualified people who are familiar with ESB networks.

Mr Healy admitted the manpower shortage was having a knock-on effect, as the company was also grappling with replacing blown lights.

“The reality is they have only a finite number of people and they are juggling resources [for both projects], with the risk there will be an impact on the replacement of blown bulbs,” Mr Healy said.

He said the contractor was unlikely to start accelerating replacement lights installation until at least July or August.

Mr Healy's comments come as several councillors complained about the length of time it was taking to replace blown bulbs.

In the Cobh Municipal District, Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard and Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen said the situation was so severe they have asked officials to carry out an audit of all broken lights. This list is to be sent to County Hall asking that these be replaced as a matter of urgency on the grounds of public safety.

EV charging points

Meanwhile, there is more positive news when it comes to more public EV charging points in Cork and Kerry.

Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan sought a report from senior Cork County Council officials on their plans to roll out public chargers in the South-West region.

She was informed Cork County Council, in conjunction with Kerry County Council, is to shortly appoint a consultant to prepare a plan for the rollout of charging systems in both counties.

Ms Coughlan, like other councillors, said it was imperative that they be installed as quickly as possible, especially in the South and West Cork areas to facilitate tourists.

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She and Fianna Fáil colleague Sean O’Donovan said there was a need to install ultra-fast chargers in these regions. Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen said there was just one charger in Cobh and it was of the "slow variety".