The Council has defended as ‘accessible’ the two parklets it commissioned for the city centre at a cost of around €250,000.

Galway City Council has spent €153,000 so far on commissioning the street furniture at Middle Street and Dominick Street.

It will be just shy of €250,000 when all creditors are paid, according to documents released to Galway City Tribune under Freedom of Information.

The parklets were due to be installed in Summer 2020 but were delayed by more than two years.

They have had mixed reviews from the public, with many negative comments about their appearance and usefulness posted on social media.

In a statement to this newspaper, a Council spokesperson said the parklets were accessible to a wide range of users.

“The parklets in Galway City are a National Transport Authority-funded project providing public seating platforms that convert kerb-side parking spaces into vibrant community spaces, with a place to sit, rest, relax and interact within our urban spaces.

“The design was created to fit into a standard parking space with seating and/or bike parking, and incorporating pollinator-friendly planting, to create a pleasant and relaxing micro space. They are accessible to a wide range of users, including those with mobility challenges,” the Council said.

Between November 2021 and May 2023, some €153,800 worth of invoices had been submitted to the Council by six companies who worked on the parklets.

Invoices worth a further €80,000 have still to be submitted since May.

(Photo: Pat Cantwell, Galway Faces and Places)