asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the fuel shortage in the past few months and the increased demand for local improvement scheme grants, any extra money will be allocated towards the improvement of bog roads throughout the country.

57.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange to have an inspection carried out on some of the bog roads leading to Cloonty bog in the Cliffony area of Sligo; and if similar inspections will be carried out in Counties Sligo and Leitrim where bog is available.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.

The funds available for local improvement schemes in the current year have already been fully allocated. The provision to be made for the coming year is at present under consideration and will be notified to the county councils as soon as possible. As the Deputy is aware, full discretion is given to the county councils to decide the priorities in the allocation of grants and they will I am sure take into account the demand for schemes of the kind referred to in the questions. Arrangements for the inspection of schemes are also a matter for each county council. Persons concerned with particular bogs should make application direct to the council.

Would the Minister consider the introduction of a special scheme in respect of these bog roads in view of the fact that they will be used to a greater extent this year than has been the case for some time past?

I do not think that the introduction of a special scheme would make any difference but if more money could be made available under the existing scheme the problem could possibly be solved. However, I cannot visualise a situation in which an amount of money substantial enough to do all the necessary work would be made available because a big backlog has accumulated, as Deputy MacSharry is aware.

Many of these bog roads are in urgent need of repair.

It would appear as if people did not consider it important when people did not apply for grants.

I am calling Question No. 58.

What I had in mind was a scheme similar to the bog development scheme, now that fuel has become scarce and costly. I had in mind something similar to the bog development scheme which we had in the past.

I will consider the Deputies points.

58.

asked the Minister for Local Government the number of local improvements scheme applications in each local authority area on 31st March, 1973.

The information requested by the Deputy is not included in the end of financial year returns made by county councils on the local improvements scheme but is compiled in a special return made at 30th September each year. I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to include in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the figures at 30th September, 1973.

Following is the statement:

Local Improvements Scheme

NUMBER of applications outstanding in each County Council at 30th September, 1973.

59.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he intends to introduce legislation which will preclude a single individual from blocking an amenity under the local improvements scheme.

As indicated in my reply to Question No. 109 on 5th July, 1973, from Deputy Finn, I am looking into the position generally in regard to this matter to see what legislative powers, if any, would be appropriate in particular circumstances. I have been in touch with local authorities on the matter and information received from authorities is being examined. May I also say that this is something which, when I was in Opposition, I asked on a number of occasions should receive attention, and I have had a file from Deputy Fitzpatrick, the Minister for Lands, since I took office and representations from other Deputies, so the matter is not being forgotten. I would be only too glad to do what I can in this matter.