asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the grant in respect of local improvement schemes allocated to Cork County Council for 1974 will result in less work being carried out, as it has not been increased to keep in line with increased costs; and if he will now reconsider the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Improvement Schemes.
103.
The allocation to Cork County Council represents a fair proportion of the total provision for the scheme for the nine-month period to 31st December, 1974.
Any increase in the allocation to any county can only come from underspending by other counties. This is where Deputy G. Fitzgerald was getting mixed-up. This matter will be examined in the normal course later in the year and if any reallocation is possible the position of Cork County Council at that stage will be considered. It is the practice under this heading if money has not been spent during the year to reallocate it to counties that have overspent.
For local improvement schemes?
Yes.
There was also unexpended money due to an industrial dispute and it was lost to Cork County Council. The engineer has stated that the costs are up by 22 per cent. We have had a very bad winter. Cork is in many parts a rural county. The roads are in urgent need of repair.
The Deputy is making a statement.
I am not prepared to accept what Deputy Meaney is saying. Cork has been generously dealt with and if later on there is some need for extra money and if such money is available they will be given a reallocation.
No account was taken of the huge increase in material costs and manpower costs in allocating these grants, with the result that Cork is losing substantially in comparison with last year's allocation.
That is not correct.
I understood the Minister to say that during the year if an application was made for an increase in the local improvements grants it would be considered if money was available.
These questions refer to County Cork. I cannot allow the Deputy to broaden the scope of the question.
I am not doing so. I am referring to the local improvements schemes mentioned already. I am asking the Minister is it his intention to increase the allocations for local improvements schemes in Cork and other counties?
That is a separate question.
No. An effort will be made to reallocate money. The financial year this year finishes on 31st December.