asked the Minister for the Environment the present position regarding the £250,000 allocated by his Department to Cork County Council for improvement works on the national primary road N22 at Stage Cross, Crookstown, County Cork; if this money is to be spent there; if not, the reason; and if not, if it is to be transferred to some other area in Cork County.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Road Improvements.
5.
The grant of £250,000 was allocated to meet the cost of completing the Farnanes by-pass and the cost of works in 1987 on the improvement of the road between the by-pass and Stage Cross. Cork County Council have indicated that they will not be in a position to expend the full £250,000 on this improvement work in 1987 due to difficulties in acquiring the necessary land by agreement. The local authority recently requested that £143,405 be transferred from the allocation to meet additional expenditure incurred on other road schemes in the county. This proposal has been approved.
Is the Minister satisfied with the council's application to have the money transferred? Is it necessary to have the Minister's sanction? If £143,000 is to be transferred to other roadworks what is to happen to the balance? Is the Minister aware that it was not a difficulty with the land owner? I understand there was agreement with the land owner, but a third party, BTE, were involved? Has the Minister examined the details of the negotiations between the three bodies concerned and is he satisfied that the council could not have reached agreement with those bodies?
I am satisfied that the money could not have been spent this year and that is concurred with by the county council. They sought to transfer the money being saved in a temporary way to other works. I agree that it should be spent on other necessary works in the area.
Was the Minister informed of what other works in what other area and what is to happen to the balance?
I agreed to allow the total balance of £143,405 to be spent on other works. I have a list which I will be pleased to give to the Deputy at any time.
I thank the Minister, but what is to happen to the balance?
The balance is £143,000 to be unexpended this year which is being returned as unexpended to the Department. We have agreed to allow it to be spent on other necessary works in the county council area and there is a list of schemes that will benefit because of that.
Will the Minister oblige me by giving me a list of the schemes?
Now?
If he has it.