asked the Minister for Finance when tenders will be sought in respect of work at Ballyglass harbour, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Harbour Works.
122.
Mr. Kenny
Contract documents have been prepared. Tenders cannot be invited until the Mayo County Council have approved them and agreed to make a contribution to the cost as now estimated.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying that the county council are holding up the proposed development at Ballyglass?
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy must understand that there was a revised estimate made owing to an extension of the pier being proposed. The county council intimated that they were prepared to pay their contribution to the first estimate. They are now being asked to pay their contribution, or to give an assurance that they will pay, to the second and larger estimate.
Assuming that the county council are prepared to give confirmation that they are willing to pay the amount involved, would the Parliamentary Secretary give an estimated date as to when the works may be released for contract?
Mr. Kenny
I will give the Deputy the information I have. The estimate of £250,000 was prepared in May, 1971, and has had to be revised to £280,000 to allow for the revised scheme and increases in wages and materials since 1971. The Department of Finance have sanctioned a grant of £210,000, 75 per cent of the estimated cost, and the agreement of the county council to pay the additional contribution required has been sought. As soon as this is agreed to the contract document will be sent to the county council. They will also be asked to indicate their arrangements for payment of their contribution, which is £70,000. They will probably seek a loan through the Local Loans Fund. A draft agreement will then be sent to them for their approval. I could not give any approximate date when this approval will be reached by the county council.
Question No. 123 postponed.