asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make the necessary finance available to local authorities for local improvement schemes; if he is aware of the problem that was created in 1985 by the lack of finance for these schemes and that it caused hardship in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Local Improvement Scheme.
24.
The level of State funds provided annually for the local improvements scheme is determined in the context of the Government's overall budgetary strategy, having regard to the level of EC aid available for works under the scheme. The public capital programme provides for an expenditure of £2.15 million under the scheme in 1986. Since January 1984, the scheme has been applied to farm road projects eligible for EC aid under the western package.