asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the reasons for the rejection of the proposals under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949, for rebuilding the sea wall at the Promenade, Youghal, where some 50 houses and the public road are threatened by the sea, and whether, in view of the anxiety felt both by the county council and the urban authorities on this matter and of the serious unemployment position in Youghal, he will give immediate sanction to these proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youghal Sea Wall.
The proposals referred to by the Deputy have not been rejected. They were submitted by the Cork County Council and are being examined in my Department. A decision will be communicated to the county council as soon as possible.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the schedule has already been received by the county council? These two schemes have been put on the delayed list, if one can so describe it, despite the fact that the county council has made specific appeals for them in order to give employment in the area. The town of Fermoy is periodically flooded. There are 250 unemployed. The local authority is waiting for the Department of Local Government to sanction these schemes as quickly as possible so that work can be proceeded with. Would the Parliamentary Secretary review the situation in that light?
It is not right to say this scheme has been rejected. It necessitates a detailed examination, and a provisional allocation of money was made to the Cork County Council and to other county councils for schemes which could be put into operation immediately. I think the Deputy will agree that this is a scheme which requires careful examination before a decision can be given and before money can be allocated for it. I can assure the Deputy there will be no avoidable delay in coming to a decision.
The trouble is this particular scheme was before the Minister last year.
I do not think so.
In the case of Youghal I support Deputy Corry's remarks and urge on the Minister that he should give immediate attention to this matter. If the county council or the Government or whoever is responsible do not do something to the sea wall in Youghal within a very short period, it is certain that 40 or 50 houses are likely to be washed away in a few years.
All these points will be considered. I do not think any Deputy would urge that either the Department of Local Government or the county council should rush into some schemes like this.
I quite agree. However, this matter has been on the agenda for years. I think it is primarily a matter for the Cork County Council and not for the Youghal Urban District Council of which I am a member. I would urge that the Department should get going as soon as they possibly can.