asked the Minister for Local Government whether Galway County Council submitted during 1974 a number of small schemes each costing under £20,000 per scheme, the total cost being £73,000; and why his Department sanctioned £26,000 only in respect of these schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Small Schemes.
20.
Since I introduced the new procedures on the 1st April last, individual small water supply and sewerage schemes to be undertaken under a block allocation for such schemes no longer require my sanction. Brief particulars of each project must however be submitted to my Department.
While the Galway County Council indicated during the year that they proposed to carry out certain works to the value of £74,000 under the small schemes programme the brief particulars required were not submitted in time to allow of consideration being given to the allocation of a grant in 1974.
The county council have now submitted a list of schemes, including some of those listed by them in 1974, for consideration under the small schemes arranged in 1975. Their submission is being considered.
Am I to take it now that the fault lay with the Galway County Council?
Yes.
I am glad to get that information because I want to tell the Minister that there was, I suppose, about an hour's delay on this at the county council and it seems that the cost of £74,000 went up and the permission to borrow was £60,000 and I take it from the Minister's reply now that the Minister has informed the county council that that is so.
Yes.