asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to provide funds in 1985 to implement some of the proposals in the EEC RDO regional strategy study which was launched by him on 9 April 1984.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Regional Development Proposals.
7.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the report —"A development strategy for the North East Region 1983-2001", a copy of which was presented to me, when launched by the North Eastern Regional Development Organisation last April.
The report examines employment opportunities in the region in the three major sectors of the economy — agriculture, industry and services — and the adequacy of the social and physical infrastructure. My concern relates to the infrastructural programmes of the local authorities for which capital allocations are made available under the Public Capital Programme. The national plan, Building on Reality, sets out the overall allocations for 1985 to 1987 for infrastructure, including roads, sanitary services and housing. Allocations to the individual local authorities for 1985 will be made in due course and will have regard, where appropriate, to the development strategy.
Would the Minister agree that over the last four or five years we have had three reports which covered practically the same ground and came up with the same conclusions, that is, that this is a deprived area in need of attention but that nothing has been done to date?
The Deputy is aware that over three years there will be an increase of 50 per cent in road allocations. I have no doubt that areas which need that type of infrastructural development will be looked after and due regard will be paid to the study when making the allocations.
Which roads will be covered — county main roads, national primary roads or national secondary roads?
The main financing in the public capital programme is that for national primary and national secondary roads. We make block grants for regional improvements on county roads.