Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. We would be delighted with any additional funding that would be made available to Cork County Council. On a serious note, we are borrowing billions as a nation every day to provide a whole array of public services. This is about menu options and about our priorities. If the Minister were to ask the people in west Cork what is a priority for them, they would say that roads are top priority for them. I am not coming in here every day looking for something else: that is how the people there genuinely feel. They are entitled to have good roads. The county has been neglected for decades in the national spend on roads. The Minister's Department has an increasing responsibility to ensure the money that is allocated is being spent wisely. Information I received recently showed that up to 65% of the money being allocated by the Minister's Department is being spent on payroll when private contractors could carry out a similar type works for up to 18% to 20% less. We have a responsibility to examine how the money is being spent. It is time the Department took a more hands on approach with the councils to see what is happening on the ground. The allocation of the money is one thing but that in itself is not enough.

Will the Minister confirm if he would be willing to consider supporting a pilot programme I mentioned being carried out in the county of Cork? It would allow for engagement with his Cabinet colleagues, the Ministers, Deputy Hogan and Deputy Burton. I have spoken to them and to their officials to try to progress a scheme that would allow unemployed people to assist on road maintenance works under the auspices of Cork County Council. I will meet the director of services in the council on Friday. I will also meet those in the farm relief services as they will have an input in organising the voluntary contribution of people in this respect. I ask the Minister to confirm if his Department would be willing to support a pilot project being carried out by Cork County Council that could be then replicated throughout the country.

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