asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that no grants may be made available from any source for the erection of a bridge where it is necessary for access by road to one dwelling-house only; and, if so, if he will amend the regulations governing rural improvement scheme grants so as to make it possible for the allocation of grants for such essential works.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants for Bridge Erections.
The rural improvements scheme was introduced to deal with works benefiting groups of farmers. I am not prepared to amend the scheme so as to provide for works serving individual farms. Such works are dealt with under the farm buildings scheme administered by the Department of Agriculture and, if a bridge is required which forms part of a road to an individual farm house, it can be considered under that scheme.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that representations have been made to the Department of Agriculture for the erection of a bridge for one house only but that the Department has turned it down?
I am not so aware.