asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider the allocation of special grants for the construction of public toilets in tourist areas where such are not provided at present.
Written Answers . - Tourist Area Public Toilets .
167.
: The cost to local authorities of providing public toilets is subsidised by my Department at rates varying between 40 per cent and 60 per cent. The abolition of domestic rates has meant a further substantial reduction in the local financial contribution. Toilets provided by local authorities in tourist, or Gaeltacht areas, are eligible for financial assistance from Bord Fáilte, or Roinn na Gaeltachta, where the works meet the requirements of the grant schemes operated by these bodies. I do not see that there is any case for a scheme of special grants and I have no proposals to introduce one.