I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 and 481 together.
Information is not available in my Department regarding offers of local improvements scheme grants made by county councils in 1982 which were not accepted because of difficulty in meeting the ten per cent minimum local contribution required under the scheme in respect of farm road projects eligible for EEC aid. From inquiries made of Galway County Council in the matter, however, I understand that they are aware of only two or three specific instances where the minimum ten per cent contribution acted as a serious deterrent to the schemes concerned being carried out.
The administration of the local improvements scheme, including the selection of schemes, is primarily a matter for county councils, subject to the provisions of the Local Government (Roads and Drainage) Act, 1968 and general guidelines issued annually by my Department. Under the arrangements for the scheme this year, £646,000 may be spent on non-EEC work in western counties compared with £277,000 in 1982. This increased allocation will enable county councils to exercise a greater degree of discretion in 1983 in undertaking farm road schemes where the appropriate local contribution would be less than ten per cent.