CORK County Council has defended its pothole repair method after one councillor expressed frustration over the issue.

The ongoing problem was raised at this week’s meeting of the local authority where Cllr Cathal Rasmussen (Lab) had sought a report on the cost to Cork County Council on cases taken by motorists due to damage to their cars after hitting pot holes over the last five years.

Figures released to him showed that the local authority has paid out €373,324 to motorists between 2021 and 2025 with the total number of claims standing at 1,667.

The highest number of claims was in 2023 with 513 claims while their insurers Irish Public Bodies paid out €121,356.

Cllr Rasmussen asked if the figures reflect the total number of claims or just the claims settled. He noted that last year there were 345 claims and said that if this is divided by the eight – the number of municipal districts – then the figure gives an average of 43 per municipal district.

‘That to me sounds very small based on the number of calls were receive about potholes,’ said Cllr Rasmussen, who also expressed disappointment that a breakdown of each municipal district is not available.

He also asked what the criteria is for making claims of damage as a result of hitting a pothole.

‘I understood that only in the event where a pothole was filled and it reopened was when someone can make claim. I don’t agree with this and it’s our job to make sure roads are in a good enough state and that people don’t damage their cars.’

He also queried the figures for both 2024 and 2025 which had a difference of 15 claims but almost twice the amount was paid out, with €103,458 paid out in 2024, while €63,304 was paid out last year.

Cllr Rasmussen said that putting a bucket of tar into a pothole isn’t really a great way in dealing with the problem and said there are new and better ways of fixing them.

‘We all know that within days the pothole would be open again.’

Cllr Ger Curley (Ind Ire) seconded the motion and also sought a breakdown of each municipal district.

Divisional manager Niall Healy said the figures provided to councillors are the number of claims that were settled, while the number of claims received is higher.

‘The key criteria here is that a repair would have to have been carried out in recent times and then concluded that it wasn’t done to a proper standard,’ said Mr Healy.

He said the spike in claims in 2023 and 2024 was directly related to the severe weather events in late 2023 and early 2024.

‘The best solution we find for fixing potholes in velocity patchers and we have a fleet of 20 that are deployed across the county and these machines drain the pothole of silt or water before the repair is carried out.’

He added the repair may be slower but that the quality of the repair is much more durable and longer lasting.’

Cllr Rasmussen added he should have asked for the total number of claims and said they don’t see enough of the velocity patchers in his area.