asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received an application from the Wexford County Council for a grant to improve the Wexford-Gorey Road; and if, in view of the substantial increase in traffic anticipated on the completion of a new bridge at Wexford, he will favourably consider such application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Improvement of Wexford-Gorey Road.
33.
I have received an application from Wexford County Council for an allocation from the special £400,000 grant which has been made available for the improvement of roads in areas where railway services were recently discontinued and of roads to certain centres where major industrial developments are being undertaken and where the road works necessary are of such a magnitude as to be incapable of being dealt with under the normal method of financing road improvement works. The county council has indicated that the grant was required for the purpose and in the circumstances mentioned by the Deputy. The council is being informed that the proposal in question does not come within the clearly defined purposes for which this special grant has been allocated.
Does the Minister not agree that this 27 miles of road is incapable of being put into proper condition by the Wexford County Council? Is he aware that there will be absolute chaos on this road when the new bridge is completed in about six months' time, that the traffic will be extremely heavy, and severe damage will be caused to the road, which even at the present moment is not in good condition? Will he reconsider the application in view of the fact that the Wexford County Council cannot possibly, within a short time, carry out the reconstruction and repairs necessary to the 27 miles of road? Will he consider it in the same way as he considered devoting a grant towards the repair and reconstruction of the road from Cork City to Whitegate?
I am afraid the reply is still the same. This proposition does not come within the defined limits of the purposes for which this grant is allocated.
Is it merely because it does not come within the limits of the purposes for which the grant of £400,000 is allocated?
Not merely. Once we have found that is the case, there is no point in pursuing it further.
Are there any other funds at the disposal of the Minister?
No, just the normal Road Fund grants for the maintenance and improvement of county roads.
There are special grants in special circumstances?
Nobody knows that better than the people of Wexford who received the highest grant ever for bridge work.
It is not our fault that the Slaney runs into the town.