asked the Minister for the Environment if he will provide money by way of a special grant for road works improvement at the Knockmay area of Portlaoise, County Laois, by Laois County Council; and if, as long promised, the works will now be carried out.
Written Answers. - Road Improvements.
62.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to an extension of the public road at Clonminam industrial estate, Portlaoise.
As the road is a county road, primary responsibility for the planning, execution and funding of any improvements, including any extension, of the road rests with Laois County Council. The local authority may, at its discretion, use the block grant for roads paid annually by my Department to supplement expenditure from its own resources for this work.
Requests for special grant assistance for this extension have been received from the local authority. It is considered that it would not be appropriate to make special road grant assistance available for this work and the council was so informed by the Department on a number of occasions.