Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 2

Written Answers - Roads Funding.

John Gormley

Question:

216 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has promised £600,000 to Dublin Corporation for essential road maintenance on Beach Road and Strand Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4; if only £400,000 has been allocated to date in 1998; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a further £300,000 is required to complete this work; and if he can give an assurance that this money will be allocated as soon as possible. [9967/98]

John Gormley

Question:

217 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if £400,000 originally intended for Custom Quay was diverted to Dublin Corporation for essential maintenance on Strand Road and Beach Road, Dublin 4. [9968/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (M. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.

An allocation of £400,000 was made to Dublin Corporation in 1997 for the R801 Custom House Docks area road improvement project under the EU co-financed scheme of grants. However, at the request of the corporation this amount was transferred to a project on Beach Road/Strand Road, and expanded in full by the end of 1997. I understand, however, that the works on the stretch of Beach Road-Strand Road which constituted the project were completed in 1997, and no significant additional funds are required for this particular project notwithstanding a sanction of up to £600,000, if required.

If Dublin Corporation have identified the need for further works on a different stretch of Beach Road/Strand Road, the financing of such works would be a matter for the corporation from their own resources supplemented by the block grant. Alternatively an application could be submitted by the corporation for the project later this year under the EU co-financed scheme of grants in 1999.

Jim Higgins

Question:

218 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider a reduction of interest in local authority house loans in view of the fact that these are almost 4 per cent in excess of what banks and building societies are charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9978/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The interest rate on local authority variable rate housing loans is determined by the Housing Finance Agency by reference to rates prevailing in the financial market. The rate is linked generally to building society mortgage rates and is at present 7.2 per cent, exclusive of 0.7 per cent for mortgage protection insurance.

The Housing Finance Agency keeps the interest rate under review in the light of trends in the market.