asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the very heavy expenditure which will be required, he will make available to Mayo County Council and to Ballina UDC substantial funds to meet the commitment in regard to roadworks, housing, water and sewerage schemes and amenities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Schemes Expenditure.
11.
The needs of all areas, and not merely those of County Mayo and the Ballina area in particular, are being and will be fully considered in the making of allocations for the various services from the funds available to my Department. It will be appreciated that, although these funds are very substantial and that there have been striking increases in them in the last two years, nevertheless they are limited in relation to overall demands.
That the particular area to which the Deputy's question relates is not being neglected is reflected in the number of expensive water and sewerage schemes in hands or approved in principle, the fact that substantial road works related to industrial development were approved last year, that the county council have recently been notified of Road Fund allocations for 1975 totalling £788,810 and that Ballina District Council has been notified of substantially increased grants.
Allocations for housing for 1975 are at present being considered and, as I have said, due account will be taken of the relative needs of all areas.
I should like to thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Arising out of the Minister's reply and arising out of the notification sent to Mayo County Council, can the Minister tell me when the council will be informed of the extra grants for the Ballina area?
I hope the council will have that notification within the next week.
Will the Minister accept that there is one road in this area badly cut up due to lack of funds and because of the heavy development and traffic on it?
Because of the additional work being directed towards the area it is true that there is more traffic on the roads in County Mayo, particularly in Ballina. I am aware that no money was spent on that road for many years up to now because the money was not given.
The Minister used the word "directed"?
Yes, directed by the IDA.
Would the Minister accept that he knows nothing about the road in question?
This is developing into an argument.
The Minister is arguing. Would the Minister also accept that long before he became Minister Deputy Fahey made inquiries around this area?
Mayo County Council apparently did not know much about the roads.