20%
Over the past five years, 1 in 5 Irish drivers have reported pothole-related damage, with repairs often costing between €251 and €1,000.
The its4women Pothole Index
The True Cost of Ireland's Road Crisis
Online searches for "pothole repair" are up 180% year-on-year — and our FOI research reveals just how badly Irish drivers are losing out when it comes to claiming compensation.
1 in 5
Irish drivers suffered pothole damage in the last year
€157
Average council payout — while repairs cost up to €1,000
Only 5%
of drivers actually submit a claim to their local council
ABOUT THIS REPORT
What is the its4women Pothole Index?
The its4women Pothole Index combines a survey of 396 female drivers and a full year's worth (2025) of Freedom of Information (FOI) data from local authorities across Ireland. Together, they reveal the real impact of Ireland's crumbling road infrastructure — and the staggering gap between what drivers pay for repairs and what councils pay out in compensation.
DAMAGE BREAKDOWN
More than Just a Flat Tyre
When you hit a pothole, the damage isn't always as obvious as a puncture. Our survey of affected drivers reveals three layers of damage — many of which compromise your safety if left unaddressed.
Tyre damage
78%
Wheel rims / cracked alloys
29%
Steering & suspension issues
20%
20% of affected drivers reported misalignment or broken springs that could lead to long-term handling issues and further danger if not fixed.
WHEEL RIM & ALLOY DAMAGE
29% of affected drivers also reported cracked or bent alloys — which are costly to repair and often require full replacement.
STEERING & SUSPENSION
Damage to suspension or alignment isn't always immediately obvious. 1 in 5 affected drivers reported these deeper mechanical issues, which can lead to long-term safety risks if left unaddressed.
FROM REPORT TO PAYOUT
The Claims Gap: Report to Payout
Thousands of potholes are reported. But far fewer claims are made — and even fewer get paid.
| COUNTY | POTHOLES REPORTED | DAMAGE CLAIMS | AVG PAYOUT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clare | 635 | 24 | €67.25 |
| Cork City | 1,005 | 104 | €122.76 |
| Cork County | 4,139 | 342 | €227.25 |
| Donegal | 76 | 27 | €267.37 |
| Dublin City | 852 | 23 | €46.52 |
| Limerick | 2,184 | 92 | €133.72 |
| Longford | 114 | 22 | €129.55 |
| Louth | 1,342 | 84 | €144.53 |
| Mayo | 1,842 | 76 | €195.00 |
| Meath | 2,842 | 112 | €191.34 |
| Monaghan | 942 | 28 | €121.86 |
| Sligo | 842 | 42 | €147.95 |
| South Dublin | 3,142 | 156 | €247.05 |
| Tipperary | 2,418 | 104 | €258.08 |
| Wexford | 1,104 | 52 | €175.87 |
| Wicklow | 1,482 | 68 | €271.04 |
Why aren't we claiming? According to our survey, there is a lack of confidence in
the system. With 90% of drivers paying out of pocket, many
feel the effort and administrative red tape isn't worth a
payout that, in places like Dublin City, averages just €46.52.
In Meath, for example, 2,842 potholes were reported
but only 112 compensation claims were filed. In South Dublin,
the gap was even larger — over 3,000 reports but only
156 claims.
PAYOUT REALITY
The Payout Reality: Average Council Payout by Region
There's a stark divide across the country — Wicklow pays the highest average at €271.04, while Dublin City pays just €46.52.
€271.04
HIGHEST PAYOUT — WICKLOW
€157.00
NATIONAL AVERAGE PAYOUT
€46.52
LOWEST PAYOUT — DUBLIN CITY
COUNTY BY COUNTY
The Pothole Index: Full County Data
FOI data from 17 local authorities across Ireland for 2025. Repair rates, claims and compensation compared.
The repair rates across the country vary wildly — from perfect scores to significant backlogs. Donegal is the top performer, achieving a flawless 100% repair rate, while Clare and South Dublin follow closely at 95%. On the other end of the scale, Cork City flags as the biggest outlier, managing to fix only 60% of its reported potholes — the lowest in the table. Most councils settle at an average repair rate of around 81–87%.