asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make funds available to construct a bridge to Uggool village, Bellacorrick, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Bridge.
94.
Funds are available to Mayo County Council under the local improvements scheme for works of this nature. It is a matter for that council to decide whether or not to undertake the project.
Is the Minister aware that the sum of money provided for local improvement schemes has averaged about £100,000 per year and, when that is spread over the whole county, it is not sufficient to do the existing work? There has been a footbridge in this village for the past 32 years and that is the only access people have. Is it not about time we had some scheme to improve facilities for people living in such conditions?
This is a matter for the county council. The county council have decided not to undertake the provision of a new bridge to take cars in place of the footbridge. The council consider that the cost, an estimated £3,500, is too high to be undertaken under the local improvement schemes. They propose to improve the road at a cost of £1,700, starting in May of this year. The responsibility for the administration of the local improvement schemes rests entirely with the county council. I am sorry but there is nothing I can do about it.
I am sure the Minister is aware that the county council have applications far in excess of the amount of money which is available to do the ordinary schemes in the county. This is a special scheme and special funds would be necessary for it.
I agree that there was a backlog of 620 rural improvement schemes in Mayo at the end of September last. I can assure Deputy Gallagher that there is hardly a county in Ireland that has not made special representations from time to time. They all consider that the scheme in their area is of special importance. I am sorry but there is nothing I can do about it.