asked the Minister for the Environment the procedure which is involved in the taking over of roads by local authorities and having them declared public roads; and whether the local authorities can refuse to take over roads regardless of circumstances, especially in rural areas.
Written Answers. - Declaration of Public Road.
284.
The Local Government Act, 1953, gives a road authority statutory power to declare a road over which there is a public right of way for vehicles, pedestrians and animals to be a public road. Before making such a declaration, the road authority must be satisfied that the road is of general public utility and it must publish in at least two newspapers circulating in their functional area a notice of their intention to consider the making of such a declaration. The making of a public road declaration order is a reserved function. Once the road has been declared a public road, the road authority becomes responsible for its maintenance and improvement.
It is a matter for the road authority to decide whether or not to declare a road to be a public road having regard to all the circumstances of the particular case. I do not propose to interfere with the discretion enjoyed by road authorities in the exercise of this function.
285.
asked the Minister for the Environment when a house improvement grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The grant has been paid.
286.
asked the Minister for the Environment when payment of a new house grant will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
The receipt of additional documentation requested from the applicant is awaited.