asked the Minister for Local Government who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the bridge off O'Carroll Street, Tullamore, which was maintained from 1900 by the local authority; if he is aware that in 1941-42 the Brosna Drainage Board kept this bridge in repair, that certain improvement works were carried out by the Offaly County Council in 1942, and that since then the local authority have declared that it is not their responsibility; and if in view of the fact that this bridge is in a dangerous condition a grant will be made available to put it in a safe condition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Tullamore Bridge.
10.
I am not in a position to say whose responsibility the bridge is. As it is not part of a public road the local road authority cannot incur expense on it and it cannot be considered for repair or improvement out of Road Fund moneys. There is no source from which I could give a grant for the bridge.
Does that not amount to saying that the maintenance and repair of this bridge is nobody's business and therefore it can never be repaired?
I am merely saying that, in regard to the moneys which are at my disposal, it does not qualify for a grant from that source.
If the Minister goes on to say that the local road authority is not responsible for it and he is not responsible for it, does he not think he might reasonably indicate where means might be found to restore the bridge? Is the Minister in a position to indicate if there are any sources which might be consulted in regard to the repair of the bridge?
My information is that this bridge is on an accommodation road which serves a couple of farms. In such a case, where the local authority and the Department have no responsibility, the normal procedure would be to approach the Special Employment Schemes Office to see if it would qualify for a contributory rural improvement grant. I should imagine that would be worth following up in this case.