Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004
136 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the annual allocation to roads in Gaeltacht areas has been cut by almost 50%, according to the Revised Estimates for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7683/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a sum of €5.5 million was provided in the 2003 Revised Estimates of my Department for the improvement of Gaeltacht roads. However, a total of €8.078 million was actually expended on such roads in 2003, representing a 47% increase on the original estimate. The provision of this additional funding enabled my Department, through the local authorities and other agencies involved, to carry out much of the two-year 2003-04 works programme in a single year. Accordingly, a sum of €4.425 million has been allocated for Gaeltacht roads in the 2004 Revised Estimates. While this represents a reduction of 19% on the 2003 Revised Estimates, a total of €12,503 million will now be spent on Gaeltacht roads over the two-year period 2003 to 2004.
