andMr. Finucane asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that a sum of £1,105 allocated under the Employment and Emergency Scheme Vote, 1944/'45 to the Listowel urban district is still unexpended because two schemes submitted by the Listowel Urban Council to his Department have been rejected; and that the county manager has been instructed to apply the money to the improvement of county council roads, for which an ample sum has already been provided from the rates; and, if so, if he will now reconsider the matter so as to permit of very necessary work being done in Listowel which will provide employment that is badly needed.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Listowel Urban District Schemes.
The commencement of work under the grant was delayed by the failure of the urban district council to submit a suitable scheme. In June, 1944, proposals were submitted for the carrying out of works by the urban district council, the bulk of the expenditure being on the provision of concrete channels on back roads. These works being of minor utility could not be approved, and the manager was informed that he should consider applying the grant towards resurfacing county council roads in or near the town. In October the urban council by resolution pressed for the allocation of the grant towards certain urban road works which had not been the subject of any proposals submitted by the manager. The urban council was informed that these works could be considered only if they were of equal or greater utility than the works required on county council roads. A scheme comprising these urban roads was later submitted by the manager. The scheme was rejected because (a) it was altogether uneconomic owing to the exceptionally high unit costs shown for stone, and (b) because the necessity for the works would not have arisen if the urban council had carried out proper maintenance following the resurfacing of these roads with the aid of a grant made available in 1939. Work has been in progress since 18th December, 1944, as a result of my suggestion that the county council should undertake a suitable scheme. The grant was given for the provision of additional employment, and the work which has been undertaken is not work for which the Kerry County Council had already made provision. The last part of the Deputies' question does not arise. The Listowel Urban District Council has been very well treated in the matter of grants for road works, grants amounting to £9,820 having been allocated to the urban district council since 1936-37. As an exceptional measure these grants were given without any local contribution being required. Local authorities cannot be permitted to regard these grants in the nature of State subventions towards the carrying out of works which should be financed from rates. These grants are for the purpose of providing additional employment.