asked the Minister for Local Government the amount of money he will allocate for the different categories of roads in Kilkenny for the coming year; and if he has informed Kilkenny County Council in the matter.

45.

asked the Minister for Local Government when he will notify Cork County Council of the road grant allocation for 1972-73.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.

I hope to notify road authorities shortly of the Road Fund allocation for 1972-73.

Is the Minister aware that the county council estimates meeting will be coming on in Cork at the end of the week and that for the past four years the Cork County Council, when they came to make the estimate, had not any idea of what the road grants were to be? Would he give some account of what they will get this year before the estimates are passed?

I am not aware of the date on which Cork County Council will hold their estimates meeting. The Deputy said it would be the end of the week. I hope to be able to make the announcement this afternoon regarding the individual allocations to each local authority.

Will the Minister give that information before the estimates meeting?

The Deputy did not tell me the date.

Will it be the same as in every other year, that the amount of the road grants will not be given until the estimates are struck?

That is not true. If the Deputy could tell me when the Cork County Council meeting will be held, I could indicate to him now whether or not they will have the information in advance of the meeting. When is the meeting being held?

Has the Minister acquainted any county council of the Road Fund allocation?

That is a separate question.