asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a large number of applications have been made for repairs to roads and laneways in various parts of County Cavan; and if he will consider increasing the unemployment grant during the coming winter months in order that these roads and laneways may be made passable.

A large number of applications are received each year for repairs to roads and laneways in County Cavan, all of which are considered on their merits and in relation to the unemployment position in the areas in which they fall.

The primary purpose of the Employment Schemes Vote is the relief of unemployment, and for this reason grants from the Vote are sanctioned for the areas in which the largest number of unemployment assistance recipients are available. The rural areas of County Cavan receive a share of the Vote proportionate to the number of unemployment assistance recipients resident in these areas, and any increase in the grants could be made only at the expense of equally necessitous areas in other parts of the country.

The amounts allocated for work in the rural areas of County Cavan under the employment schemes programme for 1938-39 are:—

Arising out of the reply, is the Minister aware that in the last financial year but one, more than half the total Vote for Unemployment Relief was surrendered to the Exchequer at the end of the year, the money not being spent?

That is not the position now.

It was the position for a long time.

Is the Deputy aware that it takes a long time to get a Department like this organised in order to utilise efficiently and economically the large sums provided for the relief of unemployment in the last four or five years?