James McDaid
Question:31 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for the Environment the basis for his decision to decide to allocate the non-national non-discretionary road grants for the year 1994-95. [1681/96]
Written Answers. - Road Grants.
The grants in question fell into two main categories: the EU co-financed scheme of specific improvement grants, and the INTERREG grants which became payable in 1995. The allocation of funds in each case was project-based. The selection of projects for funding from among the applications submitted by local authorities was determined on the basis of their compliance with the strict EU eligibility criteria, the priority attaching to particular projects, and the needs of different areas.
Specific grants were also made available in 1994 and 1995 to the Border counties involved to meet in full the cost of reopening cross-Border roads. In addition, two county councils received grants in 1995 to assist them in the purchase of road repair machines.