asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state for what reason his Department reduced the amount of grants available to County Councils for road-making during this year.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ROAD-MAKING GRANTS.
There is no substantial reduction in the amount of normal grants available this year. As the Deputy is aware, the National Road Scheme involved the notification of exceptionally large grants in the past two years.
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that no grants will be given to county councils this year other than those that they have been notified about already? I desire also to ask the Minister how he can reconcile the answer he has given with the fact that in Wexford county last year the amount given in grants was between £50,000 and £60,000, while now it is only £13,000?
It does not necessarily follow that county councils particularly may not get additional grants for particular purposes above the grants that have been notified to them. As regards Wexford County Council, it is treated on the same basis as any other county.
I did not suggest that it was not.
Arising out of the Minister's answer, if it does not necessarily follow that county councils will get additional grants, may I ask him if it does follow that they will get them?
Not necessarily.
It does not follow, then?