andMr. Power asked the Minister for Local Government the amount of water and sewerage grants allocated to each local authority for the years 1975 and 1976.

I assume that the information which the Deputies are seeking is the amount of the capital allocations to each local authority for their water and sewerage programmes for the years 1975 and 1976. On this basis the information sought is given in the form of a tabular statement and I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Sanitary Services—Capital Allocations 1975 and 1976

* The figures for 1976 are the allocations to date.

I am sure the Minister would not object to telling us why he left Dublin County Council £5 million short of their estimated needs and £3,500,000 short of the amount they are already committed to spend in the coming year.

The trouble with Deputy Burke is that he tends to pick figures out of the air and throw them across the House. If he puts down a question on this matter I would be only too delighted to discuss it with him at a suitable time.

The Minister said the answer was in the form of a tabular statement, therefore he has the answer in front of him. Perhaps he would like to give the details, because the county manager would be delighted to hear where he will get £3,500,000 to pay for contracts for which he is already committed. The Minister has not given him the money and has given no indication where he is to get the money.

Deputy Burke did not put down this question and if he puts down a question on the point about which he wants information, I would be glad to give it to him.

I am sorry but——

The Deputy cannot expect me to give any information on somebody else's question. This is a tabular statement and I will not make an exception for Deputy Burke by giving him the information.

Deputy Power.

This is a very important matter.

I have called the Deputy who tabled the question.

This is a very important matter.

I have called on Deputy Power.

Would the Chair call me when he is finished?

That is a matter for the Chair.

Is the Minister aware that last year the Kildare County Council got an allocation of £3,500,000 and this year their request, which was reasonable and well thought-out, was for £800,000? Is he also aware that this year's allocation is only half the amount given last year, £250,000? In effect, his decision has placed a moratorium on all development in the county. He has decided that Kildare shall not grow until such time as he decides they are entitled to more money.

The money allocated this year was allocated fairly. It is 130 per cent more than was given a year before I took office. I have not enough money for sanitary services and I stated that last year and this year. There have been tremendous improvements since we took office, but still a great deal needs to be done. The blame for this will not lie with me or the Government to which I belong, but with successive Governments. I made this point on a number of occasions.

The people in Kildare would very much like the Minister to look forward rather than back.

The previous Government did not look forward for 16 years and that is why they are on the other side of the House.

Order.

I asked a supplementary question on the basis of a tabular statement. I asked that one figure be taken out of it. The Minister allocated £4 million to County Dublin. There are £3,500,000——

The Deputy must ask a question.

Would the Minister kindly indicate where the £3,500,000 will come from?

Since Deputy Burke is so persistent I will tell him that Dublin County Council got £3,000,030 in 1975 and £4,025,000 in 1976.

We got £4 million this year.

Order.

If Deputy Burke would stay quiet for a minute he will get the information he is so noisy about.

The Ceann Comhairle will tell me to stay quiet.

I have called for order.

Dublin County Council in 1975 got £3,000,030 and £4,025,000 in 1976. For the third or fourth time in this House, Deputy Burke has not been able to subtract two from two.

One final supplementary——

Sorry. I am calling Deputy Kenneally.

One final supplementary——

I have called Deputy Kenneally. If the Deputy persists in barracking the Chair——

I am not barracking the Chair.

The Deputy will resume his seat.

In view of the paltry sum of £9,700 given to Waterford County Council this year for sanitary and sewerage facilities, is there any possibility the Minister would look into this matter again? The sum of £9,700 will not pay the interest on one job which has been started. The Minister is talking about millions of pounds for Dublin.

As far as the allocation is concerned, the matter was discussed fully and a fair allocation given. If Deputy Kenneally asks for fuller particulars I would be glad to give them to him, but he would have to give me an opportunity because the figures I have here would not do justice to him or to me.

A sum of £9,700 was allocated to Waterford County Council for 1976. What kind of work will that sum do in such a county? Will the Minister have another look at it to see if we can get more?

I shall have another look at this but I cannot say what the position will be as regards getting more money.

But the Minister will have a look at it? This is a paltry sum.

I will be glad to do that.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I would like to raise the matter on the Adjournment, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle.

I shall communicate with the Deputy in regard to the matter.