(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government if he will increase the grant to Cavan County Council under the Local Improvements Scheme in view of the fact that there is a very considerable backlog of applications awaiting attention, many of them for several years.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cavan Local Improvements Scheme.
109.
The amount allocated in the current year to County Cavan in respect of this scheme shows an increase of £5,000 over the allocation made in 1969-70. There are no funds available to me from which a further grant could be made in the current year.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that Cavan County Council are at the present time notifying applicants under this scheme that their applications cannot be dealt with for some years to come and does the Minister not think that in a matter as urgent as access to people's houses something should be done to speed this up?
The allocation was increased last year. It is 7 per cent of the total provision and I understand that in September of this year the grant expenditure amounted to only £7,416 and there is a balance of £27,500 to be spent yet.
(Cavan): Surely the Minister is aware that the paltry allocation given is expended over the winter months. Might I suggest that the Minister should read the Adjournment Debate which I had with his predecessor in 1968 and again 1969; he will there find out the facts relating to County Cavan and he may do something about them. This is really very serious.
I know it is.
(Cavan): In view of the fact that sums like £100,000 can be misappropriated without the authority of Dáil Éireann, I would respectfully suggest——
This has nothing to do with question.
(Cavan):—— that, if that can happen, a few thousand extra should be found to clean up and repair the lanes in County Cavan.
The allocation was increased this year and I have not sat down yet to decide next year's allocation.
(Cavan): Will the Minister treat the matter as a very serious one?
I am aware of the backlog in County Cavan applications.