asked the Minister for Finance what is the position in relation to the application of Mr. Patrick Horan, Strahard, Mountmellick, County Laois, for a grant under the Rural Improvements Scheme in respect of the repair of a road at Strahard and Ballycullenbeg, Mountmellick; and if a grant can be made available as quickly as possible, so that this urgent work may be undertaken without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois and Offaly Road Repairs.
8.
This proposal has been inspected and on consideration of the report a decision will be communicated to the applicants.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when, in view of the fact that because of the very bad winter, this road is in a very poor condition?
It will not be too long.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the county council are considering taking over this road, if it is, first of all, put into good condition and will he, in view of that, expedite the work?
I am not so aware, but I can tell the Deputy there will not be any undue delay.
9.
asked the Minister for Finance the date on which work was completed and passed by the county engineer in connection with the opening of water-tables, repairs to drains and patch repair of the worst sections of the accommodation and bog road from the county road at Shanavour at the plantation north by Thomas Bennett's house to Bennett's bog at Derrycon, Brisha, Mountrath, County Laois; the amount of the grant, and the amount spent on (a) wages and (b) materials; and if in view of the small amount provided for materials he will make a further grant available for this urgent work.
The work was satisfactorily completed on 6th February, 1962, and the county engineer's certificate to this effect is dated 22nd February, 1962. The amount of the grant was £100.
The amounts spent on wages and materials were £38 and £56 approximately, respectively. The grant was sufficient to put the road in a satisfactory condition and I do not propose to make any further grants available for it at present. It will, however, be again reviewed in connection with next winter's programme of works.
10.
asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the increased traffic on the bog road from the county road at Hodgen's derelict house south west to Patrick McDonagh's turf bank at Codd, Edenderry, County Offaly, he will make further provision for other improvements on the worst sections of this road.
Repairs to this road were completed on 9th December, 1961. It will, if additional repairs are then required, be considered for a further grant when next winter's programme of bog road works is being prepared.
11.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has received recently an application for a grant under minor employment and bog development schemes in respect of a road starting at the residence of Mr. Michael Kelly, Clonkeen, Portlaoise, County Laois and leading to the nearby bog, the cleaning of the drains on both sides of this road, and general repair, improvement and replacement of broken culverts; and if he will have this work inspected with the least possible delay in order that improvements may be carried out and work completed during the present summer.
The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Special Employment Schemes Office on 19th May, 1962. I am arranging for an inspection of the road and the proposal will receive due consideration when the report is available.