asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to provide a further grant to complete the worst sections of the bog road from the county road at Mrs. McEvoy's cottage east to the loading ground opposite John Malone's turf bank at Upper Forest, Mountmellick, County Laois; the amount of money spent on this work under last year's programme; the amount spent on wages, administration and materials for the work in question; and the date on which he received a certificate of completion from the County Engineer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laois and Offaly Road Repairs.
6.
The amount expended on the road in question was £24 approximately of which 10/- Royalty charges was the only expenditure on materials. The certificate of completion was received from the County Engineer on 10th February, 1962. The road was in a satisfactory condition after this small maintenance grant. The network of roads serving this extensive big are inspected annually by the Special Employment Schemes Office and should the necessity arise it will be considered for repairs in next winter's programme.
7.
asked the Minister for Finance the date on which he received a certificate for the completion of work on the repair of the worst sections of the accommodation and bog road from the pump north of Patrick Drennan's house, south-west by Thomas Molloy's house towards Bernard McCluskey's turf bank on Ross bog, Clondarrig, Portlaoise, County Laois; the amount of money spent on this work to date; and if he will provide further money in the coming year's programme to complete the worst sections of this accommodation road, as it is used extensively by many local turf-cutters and residents.
The certificate of completion was received on 27th January, 1962. The total grants spent on this road to date by the Special Employment Schemes Office amount to £1,085. The road is at present in good condition and it is unlikely that additional expenditure will be incurred on the road this year.
8.
asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to carry out further work and general improvements on the bog road from the Tullamore-Kinnitty road north of the entrance to Tullamore golf links, east to Joseph Whittaker's turf bank in St. Ahara bog, Cloonagh East, Tullamore, County Offaly; the amount spent on road materials for this work; the date on which it was certified as being in a satisfactory manner; and if in view of the complaints made by the users of this road he will undertake to provide a further grant with the least possible delay.
No further work is necessary at present on the bog road in question. The amount spent on the supply and delivery of materials last winter was £57. The county engineer certified on 13th December, 1961, that the work had been satisfactorily completed on 9th idem. I have received no complaints from the users of the road.
9.
asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to complete the worst sections of the accommodation and bog road from the county road at John Aspell's house south and east by Thomas Bibby's house towards Eamon Cleary's turf bank at Killellery, Geashill, County Offaly; if he is aware of the large number of turf-cutters and others using this road; if he is satisfied that it is now in a first-class state of repair; and, if not, when it is proposed to provide a further grant so that it may be satisfactorily completed.
This work was satisfactorily completed on 20th January, 1962.
Will there be any further grants to complete this road in the summer programme?
As I have said in reply to a similar question, it will be considered with other roads in the area.
It will not be overlooked?
We do not overlook any of these things. We give priority to the most necessitous cases.
That is just what I want in this case.
10.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a grant in his next scheme for completion of the worst sections of the bog road from the county road at Edward Duff's house west and south to Matthew Killeen's turf bank, with the branch north to Pat Joe Kenehan's turf bank, at Endrim, Ferbane, County Offaly; and if he will investigate the urgent need for further expenditure in relation to this work.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No. 9 of 9 May, 1962.
Was any work carried out since the last occasion on which I addressed this question to the Parliamentary Secretary?
No. There was no necessity to carry out work.
The Parliamentary Secretary is not in touch with his Department. I put it to the Parliamentary Secretary that some work was carried out on this road since. Where did the money come from?
The Deputy has not his information correct. The last work was satisfactorily completed on 20th January.
And nothing has been done since?
No.
11.
asked the Minister for Finance why work has not been carried out on the accommodation road from Mr. William Sheeran's cottage to the yard of Mr. Joseph Boland, Derryarkin, Croghan, Tullamore, County Offaly; the date on which he approved of a grant to undertake this work; and the date on which the County Engineer was accordingly notified.
Work was carried out on the road referred to by the Deputy. A grant of £100 was sanctioned for its repair in the 1960 winter programme and the County Engineer reported on 11th January, 1961, that the work was completed on 31st December, 1960.
I assume, however, the Deputy refers to the bridge on the road which requires repair. A small grant of £50 was included for this in the 1961 summer programme of works which issued to the county engineer on 6th June, 1961. The bridge had deteriorated since the first inspection was made and this sum was found to be inadequate. An additional grant of £145 issued to the county engineer on 15th March, 1962. The work could not be economically carried out until the river level is low but it is hoped to put it in hands at an early date.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary serious when he tells me that the road from Mr. William Sheeran's cottage to the yard of Mr. Joseph Boland was repaired in 1962?
Yes.
I can assure the Parliamentary Secretary that is not so. I know the road, I know Mr. Boland and I know the district and the Parliamentary Secretary certainly has obtained misleading information from his Office. I can assure him this road was not repaired.
The Deputy has used the wrong year. It was not 1962. I stated an additional grant of £145 issued to the county engineer on 15th March of this year and that the work could not be economically carried out until the river level was low enough to enable the work to be done.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that no money was spent on this road either in 1960 or 1962?
The Deputy is completely misinformed.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he will meet me at Mr. Boland's house on any occasion and I shall prove whether the work was carried out or not? I can assure him that work was not carried out and I shall have a further Question next week.