Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 1

Written Answers. - Roads Funding.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

268 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason a road (details supplied) in County Mayo was deemed eligible for funding one week before the general election in May 2002 and was allocated funding, yet after the election, this road was then deemed ineligible for funding and it was decided that the money could not be spent on the road at all; if he will investigate which official dealt with this road; the way in which he or she came to the conclusion that it would qualify for funding one week before the election and that it would not after the election and why, according to the Department, the road is now eligible for funding again but there is no funding available for it; and the name of the official who actually dealt with this application. [24440/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

No money has been approved by my Department for this road to date. An application in this instance under scéim na mbóithre áise was received by my Department on 2 April 2002. The application was examined in the usual manner. The improvement works in question did not qualify for a grant under the conditions of the scheme because there were no dwellings on the road. Grants are available under this scheme for repair of county council roads, not to exceed 50% of cost, and for repair of access roads and bog roads, for which 100% of the cost is available for qualified applicants. In the case of access roads not classified as council roads, these roads must serve at least one residence and one landowner, except in exceptional circumstances where medical or suitable third-party certification is provided. It is understood that the circumstances have since changed and on this basis the case is now being re-examined and it will be considered with other cases when funding is next being allocated.