asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to increase the grant to Leitrim County Council for the current year to enable it to carry out the heavy back-log of applications under the local improvements scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Improvements Scheme.
37.
The funds available to me do not permit the making of a further grant to Leitrim County Council in the current year in respect of the local improvements scheme.
38.
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Local Government if he will substantially increase the grant to County Cavan under the Local Improvements Scheme for the year 1971-72 in view of the particular problem of lanes needing repair in the county and of the fact that at the present rate of grant it will take several years to clear up the backlog of applications which have accumulated in the county.
The allocations to county councils in respect of the local improvements scheme in 1971-72 will depend on the amount voted for the service. Accordingly, no decision can be given at this stage as to the amount which will be allocated to Cavan County Council in 1971-72.
(Cavan): I take it that the Minister will be making a case to the Department of Finance in relation to these grants? When he is doing so, will he bear in mind that applicants who applied for grants under this scheme in Cavan in 1967 and 1968 are being told that it will be a few years yet, having regard to the present rate, before their applications are reached? Would the Minister not agree that this is unreasonable?
I do not think the Minister should be asked to make any comment. I am limited by the finances available to me for these purposes and distribute the money to the various counties accordingly. I am not yet aware what capital allocation will be available for this purpose next year and until I am I cannot make any decision.
(Cavan): I am asking the Minister, as Minister for Local Government, to get to work on the Department of Finance and get an increase in the grants for Cavan in order to clear up the backlog of lanes that have been neglected since 1965 and 1966. The Minister seems reluctant even to say that an increased grant is necessary and that he will inform the Minister for Finance accordingly.
The fact that there was a good demand for these grants in the Cavan area was recognised last year when an additional £5,000 was granted over the previous year's allocation.
(Cavan): It was as a result of my prodding the Minister, and that is why I am prodding him now.
That is a false assumption. Other Deputies including Deputy Smith, made similar representations.
(Cavan): I do not care who made them.
I am calling Question No. 39.