asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure that the funds made available to Waterford County Council for various schemes will not be lost to the county due to the engineers' strike.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Engineers' Strike.
25.
I have no precise information as to how the present engineers' dispute has affected progress on schemes being carried out by Waterford County Council.
The allocation of funds for any specific service at any time is related to the needs of such service. For example, Road Fund grants are not paid until the works are actually carried out, and unused grants may be reallocated in a subsequent year according as the progress of the work programme may require. The allocations to each road authority for the coming year will be related to the total work programme for the year including any works which were delayed in the current year because of special staffing or other difficulties.
Would the Minister say if there has been any development in this strike? I am aware that it is a separate question but the Minister might avail of the opportunity to give the House some details.
I am trying to get the two bodies to discuss the matter at Congress level which is where it will be finally settled, and I am hopeful that some result will come. It will come before the annual conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions early in July and it is possible it will be settled there, if it has not been settled beforehand.