asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the wishes of a number of county and urban councils to have the Local Authorities (Works) Act reactivated so that many essential works, such as flood prevention, may be carried out; and if he will as a matter of urgency take steps to have grants made available under the Act.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authorities (Works) Act.
104.
It is not proposed to reintroduce grants under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949.
Surely the Minister is aware that from the time the grants were inaugurated by the then Labour Minister for Local Government, the late T.J. Murphy, in 1949, almost all county councils and local authorities derived great benefit financially from them. Is he aware that many important works were carried out under this Act which local authorities could not otherwise carry out from their own resources? Is it not a fact that a major part of the work was that done in relation to flooding and, in view of the constant, recurring flooding which most local authorities have experienced in recent years, would the Minister not agree that it is high time the benefits of this very laudable Act were once again conferred on local authorities?
The experience when this Act was in operation was that there was very severe criticism of it.
Oh no, on the contrary.
Oh yes, and it was said that works carried out under it tended to give an isolated and piecemeal approach to the problem. I do not see any necessity to reintroduce that Act. We have ample schemes operating at the moment to cater adequately for drainage problems rather than reintroducing an Act which did not operate satisfactorily when it was there and which was the subject of much criticism.
It was an excellent Act and most satisfactory.
I do not think the denigration of the Act——
By the Fianna Fáil Party.
By everybody.
(Interruptions.)
We cannot have an argument at Question Time.
Is the Minister aware that in recent months local authorities have again been clamouring for the reintroduction of this Act? There was a heading in the Evening Herald on 15th October last: “Local bodies want grants restored”. The Minister should realise the importance of eliminating flooding pending implementation of arterial drainage schemes as constant and recurring flooding is doing a vast amount of damage to health, property and arable land. For that reason alone would the Minister not reconsider his attitude in the matter?
Flooding and drainage are matters that cannot be dealt with in isolation. Major surveys of large areas are required. I am not aware that there is any demand for the reintroduction of the Local Authorities (Works) Act and I do not propose to reintroduce it. The Government intend to carry on with the drainage schemes being operated at present under existing legislation. These are adequate to do satisfactory drainage work which is properly planned. Little bits and pieces of work only take the flooding out of one place and put it somewhere else. Drainage cannot be properly done piecemeal.
(Cavan): Would the Minister say which schemes he refers to as being adequate to provide for drainage?
All the schemes that operate at present. If the Deputy wants me to list them I can do so but it is a separate question.
If there were, as the Minister alleges, shortcomings in the implementation of the Local Authorities (Works) Act—I think what he means most of all was the lack of follow-up in regard to maintenance work — is it not within the competence of the Minister to rectify the alleged defects or bring in a more effective measure but at least to continue in principle the very laudable aims of the original Act and make available to local authorities the essential funds? Under that Act 100 per cent grants were available. Is it the acute shortage of money that prevents the Minister from acquiescing in the reintroduction of the Act?
(Cavan): The Minister seems to imply that the local improvements scheme is replacing the Act and is dealing adequately with drainage. Surely the Minister is aware that in many, if not in all counties, no drainage work is being done under the local improvement scheme?
I did not mention the local improvements scheme. The Deputy did.
(Cavan): Would the Minister then say what he had in mind?
Is it not a pity that a new and young Minister would not have an open mind about this matter?
I have a very open mind on the matter but I should not like to see any money available in my Department go down the drain and that is where it would end up. We want to get the maximum return for the investment made in drainage, housing and other projects.
There appears to be very little money.
The Minister has an open mind but a closed fist.