asked the Minister for Local Government the amount expended each year since 1966 on improvements to the Galway-Clifden national secondary road; and why his Department has made no provision for improvements to this road in 1976.
Written Answers. - County Galway Road.
36.
While Road Fund grants are allocated in certain circumstances for specific road improvement schemes, road authorities are not required to provide to my Department information of their annual expenditure on improvements to a particular road or route. The information sought by the Deputy is not, therefore, available in my Department.
In determining grant allocations for 1976, I have had particular regard to the need to protect the employment of road workers. To this end I have substantially increased block grants and upkeep grants which generally have a high labour content and the increase to County Galway for these purposes in 1976 is £123,550. I was satisfied that in present circumstances, the allocation by me of further resources specifically for the improvement of national roads in County Galway was not essential. Should Galway County Council so decide, they are themselves free to devote portion of their block grant to works on the Galway-Clifden road.