Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 5

Written Answers. - Local Improvement Schemes.

Patrick D. Harte

Question:

54 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for the Environment if he will alter the conditions laid down by his Department in respect of local improvement schemes which require that the work be carried out by the local authority concerned and substitute a scheme whereby it would be possible for the county council to pay grants directly to participants where such participants would be willing to carry out the work themselves in accordance with the standard and conditions of the county council.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

The administration of the local improvements scheme is a matter for county councils subject to the provisions of the Local Government (Roads and Drainage) Act, 1968 and to general guidelines issued by my Department. Under the Act, projects qualifying for grant assistance are carried out on the basis of an agreement between the applicants and the council concerned. It is a matter for these parties to determine what arrangements should be made for the carrying out of individual projects, including the extent to which contractors should be engaged, and the extent to which work might be undertaken by applicants themselves.