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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Oct 1979

Vol. 316 No. 1

Written Answers. - Bog Road System.

501.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if there are any immediate plans to implement a scheme to develop our bog road system, thereby allowing people to avail of this valuable source of energy.

The provision of and the improvement of roads, including bog roads, is mainly the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment who, under the local improvements scheme, makes funds available for improvement of bog roads. I understand that the allocation for 1979 for this scheme represents a considerable increase over that for 1978.

Roinn na Gaeltachta also give grants for the improvement of minor access roads and bog roads in the Gaeltacht area. I gather that since the fuel crisis of 1973-74 the emphasis by that Department has been on grants for the improvement of bog roads.

Special financial assistance has been provided by my Department for many years for the improvement and maintenance of bog roads serving the four small turf burning electricity generating stations located at Gweedore, Screebe, Miltown Malbay and Cahirciveen.

The Central Development Committee which operates under the aegis of the Department of Economic Planning and Development is at present examining policy issues in relation to bog development, including the question of grant assistance.

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