asked the Minister for Local Government whether his Department received a proposal within the past twenty years to take over and reconstruct the road from Ardoginna House to Goat Island near Ardmore, County Waterford, to provide a parking place and to improve the entrance to the strand; and, if so, on what date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardmore (Waterford) Road.
36.
Under the Local Government Act, 1953, the question of taking non-public roads in charge is a matter for the road authority. I understand that the works referred to were included in a large programme of schemes submitted by Waterford County Council in January, 1954, to be considered for a grant out of any funds that might be made available for the purpose out of the National Development Fund. In fact, however, the scheme in question did not materialise as the available resources from that source were absorbed by other projects including additional road grants to Waterford County Council.
Would the Minister tell me should the Waterford County Council send that proposal to him again?
That seems to be a separate question.
Should they send it?
Yes. It was sent up and evidently nothing was done about it. There appears to have been no development since the proposal was submitted.
Of course there is nothing to prevent them from taking over these roads and reconstructing them. The Minister only comes in where he is prepared to provide money for the taking over of them and their reconstruction, when taken over.
Would the Minister not agree that it is very important for the county council to get money from the Minister?
As the Deputy is well aware, many roads have been taken over which the local authorities are not able to pay for and does it not seem rather much to insists that more roads should be taken over?
Would the Minister not agree that I would be right in saying that more money should be allotted to it from the Road Fund?
If the local county council were keeping step with the increases coming from the Road Fund, there would be a greater pool of money from both sources to keep the roads in proper condition.
We have had no increase over the past four years but there has been a decrease.
There have been increases.
There were decreases.
There have been increases, as the Deputy is aware.
For four years, there was a decrease.
That is not so.