asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make available a grant to build a road to give access to the coal mine in the process of development at Boleybrac (Creevelea Mountain), County Leitrim, and, further, if he will authorise an inspection of the coal mine there.

The only funds available out of which a grant might be made for the purposes specified by the Deputy are those provided in the Vote for employment and emergency schemes. Grants for these purposes have occasionally been made on my recommendation in cases where, after consideration of applications to me, I have been satisfied that there was justification for the expenditure of public funds and the relevant conditions were fulfilled. No application has been made to me in the case to which the Deputy refers.