Debate contribution: Road Maintenance: Potholes
Debate contribution by Ms Liz Kimmins on .
- MLA
- Ms Liz Kimmins
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 13 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Road Maintenance: Potholes
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5789817
Read the official Assembly record
Text
We understand the budgetary situation. It has been the same way for many years, and that is the fundamental reason that a Budget has not been agreed. All Executive parties and Ministers are united when it comes to the fact that we need a fair Budget that will help us to deliver good public services. What we have had for many years has not allowed us to deliver that in the way that we would want to. I have made an effort to ensure that I use the funding that is available in the best way possible, given the issues that we have had over many years. Part of that is rebuilding my in-house workforce by holding the most successful road worker recruitment campaign in over a decade. Up to 90 new road workers will strengthen front-line delivery this year by increasing capacity to undertake timely preventative maintenance and responsive road repairs, improving quality control and enabling resources to be deployed more flexibly in response to fluctuating and seasonal demand, so that, as Mr Clarke mentioned, we can get out to things sooner, rather than when they have got to their worst state. The additional capacity will also enhance resilience for winter service operations, particularly at this time of year. As we move into the autumn and winter period, we see the impact that deteriorating weather can have. It will enhance our capacity for emergency responses to storms and flooding while reducing reliance on external contractors for high-priority work. That, in itself, should create savings. The importance cannot be overstated, because having in-house capacity enables us to respond more efficiently and effectively and to ensure that the work has a long-term impact.
282 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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