Vol. 366 No. 4
asked the Minister for the Environment the reasons for the delay in carrying out a new house inspection for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare which was requested last December and the file was issued to the inspector in January 1986; and if he will make a statement on this matter as it is causing them great inconvenience.
55.
asked the Minister for the Environment the measures he proposes to take to clear the seven-months backlog of new house inspections in County Kildare so that moneys due for grants and mortgage subsidies can be paid more promptly and to relieve applicants of the burden of prolonged bridging finance interest.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 55 together.
It is not accepted that there is a backlog of the duration suggested. However, the longer than normal period for inspections in this area was due primarily to the transfer on a temporary basis of one of the housing inspectors for the area to other duties. As this inspector has now resumed duty in this area on a full time basis it is expected that the position will improve in the near future.
In the individual case referred to, an inspection will be carried out in the next two weeks and arrangements will be made to pay the grant when it is established that the various conditions of the scheme have been fulfilled.
54.
asked the Minister for the Environment if, in view of the delay in the completion of the Southern Cross Route, he will state: (a) the present position; (b) the action open to him to expedite it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In the 1985 Road Plan, this scheme is scheduled to commence in 1987. On 6 May 1986, I approved the local authority's outline plans for the scheme. This approval, which is without prejudice to any statutory procedures that may arise, enables the local authority to proceed with the detailed planning of the route and to initiate procedures for the acquisition of the land needed to implement the scheme. Subject to the outcome of any such statutory procedures, the target commencement date can be achieved.
The cost of the scheme will be met in full by my Department. To date, road grant commitments totalling £1 million, including £500,000 in the current year, have been notified to the local authority to meet preliminary costs arising on the scheme. I am concerned to get this scheme underway as soon as possible and am pressing for accelerated target dates for each of the remaining planning stages. The scheme will form part of the vitally important ring road around Dublin. I recently announced that all sections of this ring road are expected to be in construction, as targeted, by 1988. The current estimated construction costs for the entire project is £120 million approximately.
