Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Feb 1994

Vol. 439 No. 2

Written Answers. - EC Funding for Flood Damage.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

70 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment if the Government has made an application to the EC for an allocation from the special emergency aid made available by the Commission for the serious flooding and related damage to several miles of county road; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

Aid is not available from the EU to deal with flooding of county roads or its consequences.

In view, however, of the serious damage to roads in many areas, arising from bad weather, the Government increased by £15 million the funds available from the Exchequer for nonnational roads bringing the overall Exchequer provision for their maintenance and improvement in 1994 to a record £101.4 million.

I have now notified local authorities of their discretionary block grant allocations (which account for £67.8 million of the funds available this year for nonnational roads) and it is primarily a matter for each authority to determine the programme of works to be carried out with these grants. I will be allocating the balance of the funds available, £33.6 million, as specific grants for improvement projects put forward by local authorities on the basis of their contribution to employment and economic activity in industry, tourism, fisheries, forestry, and rural development, including agriculture.