asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a backlog of work to be done under the local improvements scheme forwarded by his Department to the Cork County Council will cost at least £100,000 whilst the allocation from his Department to the county council is only £25,000; that it will take at least three years to clear the Department arrears sheet; and that no new proposals can be considered for that period; and if, in the circumstances, he will consider at least the allocation to the county council of sufficient money by his Department to cover the backlog.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Local Improvement Schemes.
21.
I do not accept that the facts are as stated by the Deputy. The total provision for these schemes for the current year has been increased substantially, compared with last year. The full amount available has already been allocated to the county councils in proportion to the distribution of grants over the five-year period ending 1967-68. Cork County Council have received their full proportionate allocation on that basis and there are no funds from which any further allocation can be made.
Is the Minister aware that our engineer's report stated that the amount of money required to fill the backlog of applications that have been sent to us by the Department of Local Government is £100,000? Is the Minister now prepared to advance that money to us?
No, he is not.
On the other hand, is the Minister prepared to accept that we should send back the schemes to him and let him do them?
Hear, hear.
I should prefer that the information in the reply be studied before any further effort is made by the council to pass the buck to anybody.
There is a very wide difference between our engineer's estimate on this matter and the statement now made by the Minister. We shall send them back. Will you do them?
Is the Minister aware that some of the applications referred to in the Deputy's question were lying in the Minister's Department for as long as two to three years? Surely a backlog of this magnitude is not fair to Cork County Council now, with the very limited funds at their disposal?
Is it not a fact that this problem arises not only in Cork but in every county in Ireland as a result of the suppression by the Fianna Fáil Government of the Local Authorities (Works) Act?
I wish to give notice that I intend to raise the subject matter of Question No. 21 on today's Order Paper on the Adjournment.
Hear, hear.
Next session.
Deputy Corry knows well that he cannot do so: it is just cod.
I shall do my duty while I am here.