Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grant Aid.

Paul McGrath

Question:

273 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the amount of grant aid available from her Department for a permanent pedestrian bridge over the Royal Canal at Scanlan's Bridge, Mullingar, County Westmeath; if this amount has been announced publicly; if Westmeath County Council has been informed; if so, the conditions, if any, attaching to this grant; and if a similar sum will be available to improve safety for a similar footbridge at the western side of bridge. [19814/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

In the particular circumstances pertaining to this matter, I have advised Westmeath County Council that I am prepared to make a contribution of 25 per cent or £60,000, whichever is the lesser, towards the cost of funding the construction of a permanent pedestrian bridge over the Royal Canal at Scanlan's Bridge, Mullingar. I have not made any public announcement in the matter.

I do not propose to make a contribution towards the cost of any other footbridge in the Mullingar area.