asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has received a copy of a memorial submitted by residents of Greystones to the Wicklow County Council in connection with the repair and maintenance of certain roads and footpaths in Greystones; whether representations have been made to him by or on behalf of the said residents, and whether in view of the suitable employment afforded by this kind of work he is in a position to take any steps to see that these desirable works are carried out.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - A Greystones Memorial
The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the third part of the question the memorial relates mainly to certain roads which are not public roads maintained by the Wicklow County Council. Moneys allocated to the county council for the provision of employment through the medium of road works cannot be expended on roads other than public roads maintainable by the council.
Arising out of the Minister's reply I want to ask if he is aware that the roads and footpaths leading to the churches in that district are in a very bad state of repair? Surely the Minister will agree that something should be done to relieve that situation?
That does not arise out of the question.
Is the Minister aware that the situation in this area is analogous to the situation of the roads in other parts of rural Ireland which have been held not to be roads maintainable by the county councils; that in other parts of rural Ireland minor relief grants have met that peculiar situation and so the money has been spent on them but that inasmuch as the money that has been so spent is allocated on the basis of the unemployment in the particular area there is this difficulty, that as there is virtually no unemployment in the Greystones area, no money has been spent there under the heading of minor relief schemes; in those circumstances will the Minister consider with the Department of Finance whether money can be found from any other funds to deal with this matter because as the matter stands at present the local authority is precluded from spending money on these roads?
If the county council has any representations to make on the matter these representations will be considered.
Would the Minister not look into this question? Is he aware that representations have been raised by the local authority about this grievance but no resolution has been passed? Will he look into the matter himself?
I will.
Thank you.