asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that in view of the exceptional circumstances obtaining in Horse Island, the Cork County Council approved an expenditure of £166 13s. 4d. towards the construction of a road there subject to a grant of £333 6s. 8d. from his Department; and if he will approve of the grant in accordance with the Council's terms.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - Horse Island Road (West Cork).
16.
As the Cork County Council were informed on 31st December, 1957, the Rural Improvements Scheme is the only source from which a grant could be made from the Employment and Emergency Schemes Vote for this work. There is no record to date of the receipt of the requisite application from the landholders concerned.
The Cork County Council were also informed at that time that it is an essential condition of Rural Improvement Scheme grants that the landholders must themselves contribute to the cost, and that County Council contributions cannot be accepted.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that such an application from the Cork County Council is very rare indeed and is made only where the particular circumstances warrant it? Having regard to the difficulties, with which I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary is conversant, existing on this particular island, and the inability of the people to meet the contribution, will he now reconsider the position and agree to a two-thirds contribution towards the scheme?
The Deputy is asking me to introduce a major change in policy. He knows, I think, that during the course of a previous Administration this was attempted and produced a condition of affairs almost tantamount to chaos and was dropped very quickly.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it woud be much cheaper for his Office to contribute two-thirds of the cost of this work? Would he also agree that his Office has already made grants to the county council where the conditions were not as onerous as in the case of Horse Island? This is not changing the principle.
Question No. 17.
I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary this. The Parliamentary Secretary has said——
The Deputy will resume his seat.
It is very hard for the Parliamentary Secretary to answer. I do not blame him.