asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (1) the amounts due by his Department in grants from the Road Fund to the Cork County Council on 20th March, 1957, (2) the year in which each such amount became due, (3) the amounts paid since 20th March, 1957, and (4) the total amount now due.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Fund Grants to County Cork.
It is estimated that a sum of £113,224 was due to the Cork County Council at 20th March, 1957, of which £40,812 was in respect of allocations made to the council from the Road Fund in 1954-55 and the balance was in respect of 1955-56 allocations. The sum of £40,812 was paid on 30th March, 1957, and it is hoped to make further substantial payments to the council in respect of the 1955-56 allocations in the near future. As regards 1956-57, the determination of the amounts due to the council awaits the submission and examination of final accounts of the council for that year.
I might add that as already announced by me when introducing the Estimates for my Department for the current financial year, the Government have decided to advance a sum of £900,000 to the Road Fund to enable commitments such as the type due to the Cork County Council to be met.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the Cork County Council paid a considerable sum in interest on money borrowed from their treasurers in lieu of grants from the Road Fund due to the council by his Department but not paid; and if he intends to refund the interest paid on these overdue moneys.
I have no precise information as to the amount of borrowing for this purpose undertaken by Cork County Council, but I am aware that there has been delay in the payment of moneys on foot of grants owing to the weak condition of the Road Fund in recent years. There can be no question of payments from the Road Fund to meet overdraft interest charges of local authorities.