andMr. MacSharry asked the Minister for Local Government the allocations made by his Department to each local authority for 1975 and 1976.

The information is being compiled and will shortly be forwarded to the Deputies.

Could the Minister state from the information at his disposal if there is a substantial increase in the allocations and if the allocations will be sufficient to maintain the permanent staff of each local authority in the normal course?

The information is being compiled and will shortly be forwarded to the Deputy. I am satisfied that the permanent staff will be retained.

Could I ask the Minister if, included in such allocations, we have the Road Fund grants, and if it is correct to say that in the case of all local authorities the Road Fund grants have been cut back by approximately 25 per cent on last year's figures and brought back almost to the level of 1970-71, despite the increasing cost in the intervening years?

It is a matter that has to be dealt with by way of statistics, but the Road Fund grant will, of course, be included. However, I would point out to the Deputy, who obviously does not know about these things, that Road Fund grants in relation to national primary and national secondary roads where new works are concerned, have over the years changed from year to year. A local authority might be doing major road works and get £250,000 for one year and might not get anything again for four or five years. This has been the pattern. Anybody who talks about the effect this has on employment does not know the facts of life as far as road works are concerned.

In case the Minister might not know the facts of life or know what his Department are doing, may I ask if it is correct to say that, in effect, the Road Fund grants have been cut back almost to the 1970-71 figure——

The Deputy is giving information rather than asking a question.

Despite the fact that most local authorities in that time have increased their contributions?

Has the Deputy a question to ask?

I am asking if the Minister is aware that most local authorities have increased their contribution to road improvements by about 300 per cent. I am asking him further if he is now expecting the ratepayers of Ireland to carry the burden for the Department because of the cut he has made in Road Fund allocations.

I do not propose to waste the time of the House by attempting to reply to the nonsensical questions Deputy Fitzgerald has put to me.

Could I ask the Minister when the local authorities will be notified of their allocations?

Very shortly.

It has not been done as yet?

It has in some cases.

Does the Minister expect that by next week everyone will know?

Question No. 14.

I am asking a simple question and the Minister is replying, if the Chair will let him. Will it be all known by next week?

It will be all known within a fortnight.

May I ask a question?

Several supplementaries have been allowed.

Has the Minister notified the local authorities of the LIS allocations?

Yes.