asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received an application from Offaly County Council for a special grant for the improvement of roads damaged by industrial development; and what is the position regarding these roads.

I have received an application from Offaly County Council for a special grant for the Birr/Ferbane/Ballycumber and the Edenderry/ Tullamore roads, under the scheme of grants for roads affected by recent railway closings and roads serving certain industrial undertakings. The application is being considered in conjunction with a number of similar applications from other road authorities.