Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 1

Written Answers. - Road Grant.

John Connor

Question:

59 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the cutback of £201,000 in the 1993 allowance from his Department to Roscommon County Council for the repair and upkeep of regional and minor roads in the county in view of the fact that over 1,000 miles of this category of roads in County Roscommon are deficient, dangerous and, in places, impassable due to lack of sufficient funding for repair and maintenance in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

While there is a reduction of £162,000 in the discretionary element of the 1993 road grant allocation to Roscommon County Council compared with 1992, the overall level of grants allocated to the council for the maintenance and improvement of regional and county roads is higher this year due to an increased provision for special works, including repairs to Athleague Bridge. The special needs of the county have been recognised to the extent that resources and competing demands permit by the provision of a supplementary discretionary grant of £200,000 to the council this year as in 1992.