Achill councillor calls for recruitment of outdoor staff

Anton McNulty

AN Achill councillor has called on Mayo County Council to start recruiting outdoor staff as soon only four staff members will be left to cover the vast area.
A member of the council’s outdoor staff operating in the Achill area is due to retire in January, and according to Cllr Paul McNamara, the council has no plans to fill the vacated position.
“Over the last four or five years, the outdoor staff has been reduced by 50 percent in the Achill area due to retirements and they have not been replaced. If this trend continues Mayo County Council will eventually have no staff in Achill,” he said.
Cllr McNamara raised his concerns over the reduction in outdoor staff numbers at this month’s budget meeting. After calling for more outdoor staff to be recruited, he was told that the Council would look into it.
“The worker is retiring in January and the only plans in place are for the retirement function. There are no plans to replace the worker and it is ridiculous to think that four workers will be responsible for the entire parish out to Mulranny,” Cllr McNamara said.
Pointing out that the outdoor staff will responsible for maintaining the the Greenway when it is extended onto the island, Cllr McNamara said that if staff numbers continue to fall, they will not be able to carry out the necessary work.
“The tourism season is a lot busier with the Wild Atlantic Way and the Greenway now coming onto the island. If we want to maintain our high standards and hold onto our five Blue Flag beaches we need the staff on the ground carrying out the work.
“If we end up with less staff in Achill, it could mean that less money will be coming into the area because the staff will not be there to carry out the work. We are promoting Achill as a major tourism destination, which it is, but it is the outdoor staff who do the work. If there is fewer staff, those high standards will not be kept.
“I have to compliment the outdoor staff for the work they do particularly in difficult conditions. If there is any issue, such as flooding, they are immediately on the ground. That is why it is important the service is kept,” he said.