asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the lack of public lighting in the majority of County Galway towns; and if he will make funds available to provide the necessary lighting.

The provision of public lighting in towns is a matter primarily for the relevant local authorities. Road grants are provided by my Department in respect of approved schemes for the provision of improved public lighting installations on main traffic routes in built-up areas, where the installation is being carried out as a separate scheme or as part of a general road improvement scheme. In this connection, road grants totalling £48,000 have been provided in the current year for traffic route lighting schemes in County Galway on the N.6, N. 17 and N. 18, and I am aware of the council's desire to expand their programme of such works in future years.

Are the available funds sufficient to carry out the work in question?

Probably not. I have not heard yet of a county council who were satisfied with the amount of money they got from the Department. They must be sufficient to carry out the work I have referred to but I am sure they are not sufficient for the total lighting programme of Galway County Council.

Will the Minister provide additional funds?

If the Deputy explains what they are for I will look into it.

For general lighting.

No, it would have to be specific lighting.

The Minister would get those two Deputies off his back if they were Ministers of State.