asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby the capital allocation of £79,000 towards water schemes in County Mayo has already been expended and if he will allocate further moneys to finance urgently needed works presently in progress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Water Schemes.
4.
A small schemes allocation of £79,000 was notified to Mayo County Council on 31 March 1980. This is required to finance two works urgently carried out in connection with the Papal visit to Knock and also to carry out urgent interim water supply improvements at Claremorris. There are no funds at my disposal from which an additional small schemes allocation can be made to Mayo County Council for 1980.
The Pope has come and gone and the money has been spent. Will the Minister of State tell the House the estimate for the job in Claremorris? Further, will he state if there is any possibility of getting extra funds later in the year?
I have not the information with regard to the work at Claremorris but if the Deputy wishes I can obtain it for him and send it to him.
I am amazed the Minister has not got the information. Surely it was one of the questions he might have expected would be asked. The local authorities are now in the loaves and fishes business; they are being asked to distribute what they have not got.
I think there will be glad tidings later.