asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider increasing the grants and the amount of money available to local authorities to help them to proceed more expeditiously with the very important job of improving, taking over and maintaining roadways in their respective areas which up to now have not been attended to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Maintenance Grants.
48.
I assume the question refers to the local improvements scheme. The allocation of grants under this scheme for the year 1971-72 will be determined in the light of the overall provision permissible having regard to the needs of other urgent services, and the relative demand for grants in each county.
The Parliamentary Secretary will agree that when relativity comes into this with people having roadways leading to their houses, over which they cannot carry modern machinery, cars or tractors, it certainly is an urgent priority?
Yes, this is why the Government decided to allocate sums of money in the last couple of years for such schemes in the various counties and very good work is being done.
Yes, but would the Minister agree——
(Interruptions.)
That is not allocating money to the council which was not available formerly. You are simply switching it from one thing to another.
Yes, a larger sum, of course.
No, it is exactly the same as you gave the previous year.
No.
There are 500 of these schemes waiting to be done in County Cork alone?
Yes, it is a very popular scheme and in each county we have a very heavy demand for schemes of this kind. Again, it is a question of not having enough money to do all the schemes in one year. These schemes will be done over a number of years. This is the logical way to do it.
(Interruptions.)