asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that there is great disappointment amongst persons living on land divided by the Land Commission, because of the bad roads leading to their homes from the main roads; and, if so, if he will consider having these roads put in good repair; and recommending that they be made a county-at-large charge, to be taken over by the county councils.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roads on Divided Holdings.
Mr. P. Burke
In general, responsibility for the repair and maintenance of roads constructed by the Land Commission for the benefit of allottees on the division of untenanted land rests on the allottees. In many cases such responsibility is specifically undertaken by the allottees. The matter of the maintenance of the roads should be arranged by co-operation among the local allottees, and should not cause any hardship if minor surface damage is attended to promptly as it occurs.
Though it is not the function of the Land Commission to undertake the repair and maintenance of roads constructed by them, in some exceptional cases they have effected necessary repairs as a matter of grace and not of obligation. In suitable cases the Land Commission endeavour, and often with success, to get the local authority to take over and maintain such roads.
It is not within my province to deal with such a large and general question as the taking over of all roads by the county councils. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the possibilities of assistance provided by the Rural Improvements Scheme operated by the Special Employment Schemes Office.