asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the Leix County Council reduced the County Surveyor's estimate of £49,266 to £25,000 for the year 1925-6; that the amount of £25,000 has now been exhausted, and that several hundred miles of roads in the county are in a very bad condition; whether he received a resolution from the County Council in June, 1925, accompanied by a detailed estimate, requesting him to sanction or recommend a grant from the Relief Schemes Vote for carrying out work on roads which were in urgent need of repair and in areas where unemployment and distress existed, and if he will state what steps he has taken or intends to take in the matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CONDITION OF LEIX ROADS.
As stated in my reply to a similar question from the Deputy on the 5th March last, I am aware of the reduction referred to. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, but I have been informed by the Secretary to the County Council that they have recently authorised expenditure up to £36,000. I am fully informed of the condition of the roads in the county, but, as stated in my previous reply in March last, I do not accept the Deputy's description of them. The resolution mentioned was brought to my notice as a result of the meeting of the Council held on the 6th July last. I have made representations to the Minister for Finance as to the possibility of an allocation from the Relief Schemes Vote and I am taking steps to expedite a decision. I understand, however, that the balance of the Vote has practically been allocated in full.
Is it correct to state that since the Minister's reply on the date referred to he has ordered an inspection of the roads in this county to be made by the Chief Roads Engineer? Has he received and read that report, and has it in any way altered his opinion as expressed on the date in question?
I consider that the Deputy's description of the Leix roads is rather exaggerated.
Can the Minister say how the condition of the roads was described to him in the report of the Chief Road Engineer, who subsequently visited and inspected the roads? Did the Minister read that report?
I know that the report of my head engineer did not fit in with the description given by the Deputy.