asked the Minister for the Environment if he will meet a delegation from Longford County Council to discuss the problem of outdoor staff and maintenance of roads as requested some time ago.
Written Answers. - County Longford Road Maintenance.
58.
The request received from Longford County Council in March 1985 was that I meet a deputation to discuss the provision of additional funds by way of road grants and rate support grants to enable improved maintenance of county roads to be carried out. I informed the local authority at that time that, due to pressure of commitments, I was unable to accede to their request.
The new road plan which was published on 29 January last, indicated that, in accordance with the practice of successive Governments, State road grants would not be made available for county road maintenance and that expenditure in this area would continue to be met from local authorities' own funds (which include rate support grants).
Additional rate support grants were allocated in April of this year to local authorities, including Longford County Council who received an extra £52,000. The present position is that all rate support grant moneys have been allocated for this year and accordingly a meeting with the local authority at this time would not be productive.