asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the widespread complaints regarding the condition of the county roads, especially in west and north Clare; and if he has any proposals to deal with the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roads.
1.
I am aware of the condition of roads generally, including county roads, in County Clare. Primary responsibility for the planning and execution of maintenance works on county roads rests with the local authority concerned and the expenditure involved falls to be financed from the authority's own resources.
However, because of my concern about the county road network, I announced a new scheme of grants in July 1986 for strengthening of county roads. I allocated a total of £5 million to local authorities for that purpose in the current year: £305,000 out of the total of £5 million was allocated to Clare County Council.
I would draw the Minister's attention to the fact that the money provided is inadequate to meet the situation in Clare. The Minister must know that county roads everywhere are deteriorating rapidly. Indeed their foundations need major overhaul and many times the amounts of money being provided will be necessary to restore the foundations.
This would be more appropriate on the Estimate.
I appreciate that but we have a very serious problem in regard to county roads. It is getting totally out of control and it is beyond the financial capabilities of the councils to manage. Would the Minister provide more money for Clare County Council before our roads collapse altogether?
The Deputy and the House will appreciate that local authorities consistently have been calling for more devolved powers. The power and responsibility for the maintenance of county roads have rested with the local authorities traditionally, and the making available by me of this money during the summer was the first occasion on which there was direct government intervention for the strengthening of county roads. The local authorities get large subventions every year by way of block grants with which to improve county and regional roads. The block grant allocated to Clare this year represented an increase of 22 per cent on the previous year, amounting to £711,000. In addition, money was allocated to certain councils under the western package for improvement of county roads used mainly for agricultural and forestry purposes. Through that scheme Clare County Council got another £265,000, which was spent, presumably, on county roads. In other words, Clare County Council received an unusual amount of grant aid this year specifically for county roads. Because of their geographical position vis-à-vis the western package, the Clare authority got greater county road grant allocations than other councils.
The position in County Clare is very critical. The roads are deteriorating at a rapid rate and it will cost an enormous amount if remedial action is not taken immediately. Would the Minister increase the amount being given as direct assistance to councils to deal with the county roads crisis?
When I made the £5 million available to Clare County Council in July last I indicated it was my intention to double that amount, to make £10 million available to Clare next year.