Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Feb 1988

Vol. 378 No. 1

Written Answers. - Emergency Allowance of Funds.

81.

Mr. Nealon

asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the major damage caused in the County Sligo area in particular, by the recent storms, if he will make a special emergency allowance of funds available to Sligo County Council and Sligo Corporation similar to the finance made available to other local authorities after hurricane Charlie to reimburse the Sligo authorities for essential repair works to roads, other installations and major damage in coastal areas for which the county council has direct responsibility.

88.

Mr. McGinley

asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a special allocation to Donegal County Council to repair extensive damage in the county by the recent storm.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 88 together.

I assume the questions relate to the storm which occurred on 9 February. As regards damage to roads and bridges, all funds available for 1988 have already been allocated to local authorities. However, it is likely that a high proportion of any necessary road restoration work would qualify for assistance from the funds already allocated for 1988 in respect of a national road maintenance, county road strengthening, and block grant. These grants amount to £1.404 million in the case of Sligo County Council and £3.243 million in the case of Donegal County Council.

It is open to local authorities, subject to my approval, to borrow for the purpose of repairing coastal damage or undertaking coast protection works. I have no further funds at my disposal to enable assistance to be provided in these cases.