asked the Minister for the Environment the reason for the delay in the payment by local authorities of moneys due under malicious damage payments; and the steps he is taking to ensure that such payments will issue within a reasonable period.

Payment of amounts due as compensation for malicious damage is entirely a matter for each local authority and is not subject to my direction or control. Claims by local authorities for Exchequer recoupment, where they arise, are dealt with promptly by my Department.

Is the Minister aware that there have been delays in payments by local authorities and does he think it is in any way related to the fact that there are delays in handing over of funds from the Exchequer to local authorities?

There is no delay with regard to recoupment by my Department. In case the Deputy is worried, the position in his own county is good. There have been some delays in different parts of the country because some solicitors were slow in submitting bills or claims. Where local authorities are responsible for the first 20p in the £ they included it in the rates for the following year. In Cork county everything is paid up to date and there are no claims outstanding. Most counties pay as quickly as possible during the course of the year it is rated for.

Arising from the Minister's use of the word "recoupment", is it the situation that the local authority has to make the payment first out of its own resources and then apply to the Department for recoupment? If that is so, what is the situation of a local authority with no funds on hands and working on an overdraft?

When we receive a bill for recoupment it is dealt with immediately. There is no delay whatever.

With respect, the Minister is evading the point. I am not talking about recoupment but the position of a local authority who cannot pay because they have no funds on hands and are working on an overdraft. They cannot apply for recoupment because they cannot pay it and they cannot pay it because they have no money.

If they notify us of their financial position it will be dealt with. I am not aware that any problem of that kind has occurred to date.

Would the Minister pay in advance to local authorities to enable them to meet their bills?

If that were so and it was a matter of great urgency, if they were clearly unable to meet their commitments we would make an arrangement.

Has the Minister ever had any instance of that?

No.

In a case where malicious damage is caused as a result of violence in Northern Ireland and the Department of the Environment accept full responsibility, are there delays in the payment of moneys to local authorities?

In regard to payments required to be made by local authorities since January 1974 in respect of damage caused by use of explosives and attributable to the disturbances in Northern Ireland, they would be recouped from the Exchequer subject to the damage being so certified by the local Garda chief superintendent.

Are there any outstanding claims in Donegal at present?

I do not know of any but I will check and let the Deputy know if there are.