asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the lack of Government finance being provided for sewerage schemes in County Galway; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
Written Answers. - Finance for County Galway Schemes.
567.
I am not so aware. I have made capital allocations of £1,200,000 and £1,000,000 available to Galway County Council and Galway Corporation, respectively, for major sanitary services schemes in 1982. The allocations include appropriate provision for the financing of sewerage schemes.
In addition, I hope shortly to give sanction to a Local Loans Fund Loan of £326,000 for the Killimor sewerage scheme and, at that stage, a further capital allocation will be made to Galway County Council.
568.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the severe financial difficulties being experienced by Galway County Council in relation to the provision of housing, the repair of roads and the provision of a satisfactory refuse collection; and if he will provide the same financial assistance for County Galway as was recently promised by the Taoiseach prior to his nomination as Taoiseach to a Deputy for Dublin City.
Since taking office I have taken steps which will ensure additional resources for local authorities, including Galway County Council. My decision to reverse the previous Government's requirement that the full proceeds of house sales should be directed to capital purposes will have the effect of making £10,000 available to the council for general spending. In addition, my decision to place a limit on increases in the demands made on the council in respect of arterial drainage and supplementary welfare allowances will save the council almost £354,000 this year.
I have also recently made the following additional allocations of funds to Galway Councy Council——
Road Works — £360,000
Environment Works (Youth Employment) Scheme — £220,000
and I am awaiting a return from the council in relation to new housing schemes before making additional allocations for housing. I also expect to be in a position to shortly make an additional capital allocation for sanitary services to the council.