Vol. 522 No. 2
350 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if, in view of the recent announcement by the Minister of State at her Department regarding funding for Gaeltacht roads, local authorities have been requested to prepare a plan for the years 2000-06; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18073/00]
I should point out, at the outset, that following detailed discussions between officials of my Department, the Department of Environment and Local Government and the relevant local authorities I was recently in a position to announce the grant allocations in respect of the improvement of strategic Gaeltacht roads for this year. This year is the first year of a seven year plan, the objective of which, when completed, is having one good road of suitable standard into every Gaeltacht area. I have personally indicated this policy objective in my meetings with the relevant local authorities earlier this year, and have also explained to them that the additional funding, which I have secured for this purpose during the duration of the national development plan, is in addition to the funding which would normally be available to the relevant local authorities for the improvement of the roads in question. In this context, officials from my Department will be in contact with the relevant local authorities and the Department of the Environment and Local Government in the near future in order to prepare a plan for next year and subsequent years as appropriate.
