asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state in respect of each county council (1) the amount allocated under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949, for the current financial year, and (2) the amount spent up to the latest available date.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

The following is the statement:—

LOCAL AUTHORITIES (WORKS) ACT, 1949.

NOTES.

The 31st December, 1954, is the latest date for which full particulars of expenditure are available.

The amount of grant allocated refers to the original allocation. On 10th January, 1955, County Councils were informed that a further grant up to a maximum of £5,000 in each case (£15,000 in the case of Cork) would be available. These latter grants are being made out of moneys allocated from the National Development Fund.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he will state the date of the latest available return?

The figures which are being furnished to the Deputy—which are the latest figures available—are up to the 31st of December.

Surely figures up to the 31st December, 1954, will not give a true picture of the amount of money spent under the Local Authorities (Works) Act?

If the Deputy wishes to put down a question asking for figures up to the 31st January I will do what is possible to provide same in a week or in a reasonable time.