Vol. 225 No. 8
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Finance when he proposes to notify Cavan Urban District Council of the amount of the annual Christmas relief grant; and if he will ensure that the grant is sanctioned in time to permit work to commence not later than the 1st December.
113.
asked the Minister for Finance at what date he proposes to sanction the necessary finance for Christmas relief work proposed by Tralee Urban District Council.
114.
asked the Minister for Finance when sanction will be given for Christmas relief work schemes in Limerick city and county.
115.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will as a matter of urgency announce the employment schemes vote grants for South Tipperary and West Waterford, since these are needed for the relief of unemployment during the Christmas period.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 112 to 115 together.
I am making arrangements for the provision of State grants totalling £160,000 for new schemes in urban areas in 1966-67. This will involve a Supplementary Estimate. The individual local authorities are being informed to-day of the amounts available to them.
Due to financial stringency, this is the only programme of employment schemes it will be possible to sanction in the current financial year.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say how does that total compare with last year?
It is much better.
Arising out of the reply to Question No. 114, is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to state what amount of money will be allocated immediately for the Christmas relief schemes which have been going on in Limerick for so long?
The Deputy's question asks when the Limerick authorities will be informed of the grants and I have answered that accurately.
Will you tell us the amount——
I have not got that.
——and the time?
It is a separate question.
The Minister for Education has issued a statement to the Limerick press as a result of the vehement manner in which we opposed——
The Deputy is making a speech, which is not in order.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Limerick Corporation have been advised that the sum of £200,000 which we were allocated in previous years is now being discontinued?
There is nothing in the Deputy's question except the query as to when sanction will be given for certain work. The amounts do not arise.
Christmas relief work is specifically mentioned.
Deputy Coughlan seems to have got his statistics on the same basis as Deputy L'Estrange.
Mine are right.
If Deputy Coughlan thinks that Limerick Corporation got £200,000 for any scheme at any time, he will want to have another chat with his city manager.
May I ask——
Question No. 116.
