asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the amount to be allocated to the Longford County Council on the trunk road scheme for the financial year 1927-1928, and the amount allocated for the year 1926-1927, and if the total amount has been paid to the Council for the latter year, and if he is aware that a large number of men are unemployed in Longford, and if he will allocate some money to the Council referred to for road work for the relief of the unemployed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LONGFORD TRUNK ROAD SCHEME.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The amount which it is hoped may be allocated to County Longford from the Road Fund under the National Road Scheme for the coming year is £21,100. The amount allocated in the present year under the same scheme was £12,935, of which only £3,700 has been paid. Apart from these grants the following grants are being made to the County Council for the coming year:—(a) towards the upkeep of main roads, £2,094, and (b) for the improvement of main roads, £2,000. The grant for upkeep was notified on the 2nd ultimo, and that for improvement was conveyed by an interim notification on the 10th instant.
Can the Minister say why is it that his Department has as yet paid only £3,700 out of this money that has been granted?
That is all that has been applied for. I understand there has been some delay down there as a result of the resignation of the County Surveyor.
Is the Minister prepared to give a grant on the certificate of the Assistant County Surveyor?
This grant is available as soon as it is applied for. I hope the Deputy will take the matter up with his own County Council.
Does the Minister think it right that over 400 men should be on the brink of starvation simply because, on a technical point, the Minister would not agree to sanction a grant on the certificate of the Assistant Surveyor? I ask the Minister, does he intend that the unemployed people there should starve because of a technical matter like this? Will the Minister reply as to whether his Department will sanction the giving of these moneys to the Longford County Council for the purpose of relieving unemployment?
Does this, sir, arise out of the question?
It arises in this way; the Minister has stated that the money has been given to Longford, but only £3,700 has been paid. I want an explanation as to why the full amount has not been paid.
The Deputy must put down another question about that.