asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the keen disappointment that prevails among the ratepayers and workers of South Kerry because of the inequitable distribution of road grants recently made by the local authority as between the northern and southern portions of the county; and, if so, whether he will make provision in the proposals for legislation relating to local government which he proposes to introduce soon, for the establishment, by next September, of a separate, independent council for South Kerry, with headquarters in Killarney, so that the local affairs of that portion of the county may be justly and efficiently administered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South Kerry Road Grant Distribution.
I have no information on the matter referred to in the first part of the Deputy's question. The schemes proposed to be carried out by the Kerry County Council by the aid of Road Fund grants in the coming financial year have not yet been submitted to my Department. The selection by some county councils of road works schemes in connection with the allocation of Road Fund grants is occasionally the subject of controversy, but I do not think that any temporary local differences in a matter of this kind are such as would warrant action on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that out of the £64,000 allocated by his Department for county roads in Kerry, the county engineer distributed £33,000 to the Listowel area as against £2,200 to a similar area in South Kerry? Is he further aware that the county engineer is not dealing justly with South Kerry and that he is biased——
I do not think such a charge should be made against a public official.
——and that he should be transferred to some other county or district?
I am not aware of the distribution of the money in the manner suggested by the Deputy. The figures as given to me are that out of the £64,000 allocated, £36,220 was set aside for North Kerry and £21,180 for South Kerry.
Is the Minister aware that this allocation of money has been made by the county engineer after having surveyed the roads of Kerry, that the money has been allocated to what he considers the most needy places, and that certain politicians are trying to interfere with the administration of the county engineer?