asked the Minister for the Environment when he will be in a position to refund to Laois County Council the amount claimed by them for the clearance of roads, removal of snow and other work that was carried out by them following the snowstorm earlier this year; the total amount due; and when it will be paid.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers - Laois Snowstorm Damage.
9.
(Dublin South-East): I will be seeking the approval of the House to a Supplementary Estimate which will include a subhead to provide funds to recoup local authorities for certain abnormal costs incurred by them as a result of the blizzard conditions which prevailed in January of this year. I am not in a position at this stage to indicate the amount of payment to be made to any of the local authorities concerned.
Can the Minister give a commitment that this Estimate will come before the House? Our local authority in County Meath are £700,000 out of pocket paying interest on money which they have not received since last January. I wish to know when this Estimate will come before the House and when our county council will be paid?
(Dublin South-East): I can assure the Deputy that this matter is under very active consideration. The only answer which I can give is, as quickly as possible.
Has the Estimate been published yet?
(Dublin South-East): No.
When will it be published?
(Dublin South-East): As quickly as possible.
Has it been submitted to the Department of Finance for approval?
(Dublin South-East): That is as much as I am prepared to say.
Does the Minister not know that?
(Dublin South-East): I know full well.
Is the Minister not aware whether the proposed Estimate has yet been submitted to the Department of Finance for approval?
(Dublin South-East): No, that information is not in my hands at the moment.
The Minister does not know.
(Dublin South-East): I gave the Deputy an answer.
I asked the question. Will it be 1983 before Meath County Council are refunded the money?
(Dublin South-East): I answered the Deputy by saying as quickly as possible. That could be much sooner than 1983.
Question No. 10.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Did the Minister ever say what was the cause of the delay?