asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make an increased allowance for roads to those counties which now have no rail service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roads Allocation.
17.
I have noted the needs of the roads in the counties to which the Deputy refers in my consideration of the road grant allocations for 1983. It is, however, estimated that, as railways carry a relatively small volume of traffic compared to roads, the presence or absence of railways is not regarded as a major factor in the determination of the amounts of road grants.
Is the Minister of State aware that when a case was being made for the suspension of a railway service to certain areas assurances were given in the past that there would be an extra allotment for areas not covered by a rail service? Would he like to say if he agrees with that approach and to put a percentage?
The Deputy will be interested to learn from the brief that I have here that in relation to the railway closures in Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal special grants were allocated to those counties as follows: Cavan £225,000, Monaghan £225,000, Donegal £375,000.
When?
I have not got that information here. I will find out for the Deputy and will communicate with him. The principle of his argument has been conceded in this and moneys were delivered.
Could I remind the Minister that the figures he has read out were granted to these counties back in the fifties? Further, I suggest that, while they may have met the immediate problems at the time, the continuing deterioration of our roads because of the lack of any mode of transport other than road transport has not been covered since then. Deputy Wilson's question would tend to alleviate that situation if special consideration were once again given to the problem of these counties.
I have one final supplementary. If the Minister of State did a survey and found out what percentage the original allocation was of the total amount and applied that percentage now it would be a step forward.
If the Deputy would like to put down a question to that effect I will make the information available to him.