asked the Minister for Finance what amount of the unemployment grant has been allotted to County Westmeath.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WESTMEATH AND UNEMPLOYMENT GRANT.
Grants amounting to £1,000 have been sanctioned as a contribution towards expenditure on road works undertaken as a measure for the relief of unemployment in County Westmeath on condition that the County Council shall contribute not less than £2,000 towards the cost of the scheme.
Is the Minister aware that Westmeath is one of the most badly hit counties in Ireland as a result of the decrease in the price of cattle; that there is no other industry, such as dairy farming, and the farmers are unable to employ labour; and would the Minister consider increasing that grant?
I can only consider proposals for expenditure.