asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what steps have been taken to encourage local authorities to carry out road restoration and maintenance, to the fullest extent, in rural areas during the remainder of the current financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Restoration and Maintenance.
The most important step that has been taken to encourage local authorities to carry out road restoration and maintenance works to the fullest extent for the remainder of the year is the decision to offer them grants from the Road Fund next year on the same generous terms as were offered this year, thus enabling them to undertake a continuous programme of works on terms very favourable to the local authority. A circular letter will be issued to local authorities in due course.
All county councils have been asked to indicate the additional amount, if any, in excess of the original estimate which will be required in the current financial year for the provision of chippings for work in the next financial year and have been informed that the provision of supplemental grants in accordance with the existing basis of allocation will be considered.
County managers have been informed that it will be necessary to concentrate on the purchase of tar and bitumen and on production of stone chippings during the winter so as to ensure that an adequate supply will be available for next year's surface-dressing programme.
In addition, in order to afford encouragement to the preparation of stone chippings for use in road restoration, it has been arranged that work of this kind may be undertaken as employment schemes during the winter.