Vol. 524 No. 5
391 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when a decision will be made on the application by Carlow County Council for one-stop-shop facilities in Tullow and Bagenalstown. [23428/00]
Carlow County Council's application for funding for one-stop-shops in Tullow and Bagenalstown will be considered as part of overall funding for the initiative in 2001.
392 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the additional costs to local authorities due to the increased price of bitumen; and if he will make the necessary funding available to allow for this charge in order that county councils will not have to put it as a first charge against the 2001 road grant. [23429/00]
Increased costs of oil based products are a reality of present international market conditions. Within the overall limits of the local government budgetary process, I intend that regard should be had to this factor in determining the allocation for non-national roads.
It is important, however, that road construction cost increases should also act as a stimulus for the development by local authorities of effective counter measures, which may involve use of alternative construction methods or other initiatives.
