andMr. Daly asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make an increased grant available to Clare County Council for the development and improvement of the main road from Ennis to Kilrush.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Road.
4.
I have increased the Road Fund grants to Clare County Council from £563,500 in 1976 to £762,000 for 1977. It is open to the council to continue the improvement of the road to which the Deputy refers with the aid of the general or block grant of £425,000 available to them in the current year.
Would the Minister reconsider making an allocation next year to provide for this road since it has deteriorated as a result of the closure of the west Clare railway? Would he take into account in doing that the fact that the shipping cargoes which used to come into Kilrush are now diverted on to this road—grain, timber, coal and bulk milk carriers to the Golden Vale creameries?
I always keep the matter under consideration but the council can, in fact, do a great deal this year as a result of the additional money they are getting under their block grant.