asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the lack of financial assistance available to Galway County Council for the repair and upkeep of all roads in County Galway and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Roads.
4.
I am aware of the needs of the road network in County Galway and throughout the country generally. It is the Government's policy to provide the maximum possible assistance to road authorities having regard to other competing demands for suitable funds. In accordance with this policy, the amount of road grants made available to Galway County Council by way of block grant and grants for the upkeep of national roads was increased from £799,000 in 1977 to £1,025,000 in 1979.
I am not concerned with what increases were granted in the past. I am concerned about the position for 1980.
Galway County Council will be notified within the next day or two of their allocation for 1980. I do not know whether the Deputy will be happy or dissatisfied because it will depend on how he looks at it. As far as we are concerned we are happy with the amount of money being allocated.
That is very fair indeed.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister not tell the House now what the allocation is?
I am sure the Deputy would agree that this would be a rather discourteous way of doing it rather than notifying Galway County Council.
(Interruptions.)
GNP stands for gross national potholes.
Could the Minister give me an assurance that the grant will be at least the same as last year, taking inflation into consideration in the meantime?
I can give the Deputy an assurance that the grant will be greater than in previous years.
Taking inflation into account? No reply. The Minister means there will be a reduction.