Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We should not forget to compliment the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Ring, and the officials of his new Department who managed, at very short notice in the summer and autumn when they were only setting up the Department, to get the money out to local authorities. Deputy Healy-Rae will be glad to know that Kerry is among the top five for securing money under the scheme, the first being Donegal followed by Galway, Mayo and Cork - all rural counties with lots of roads. Last year, Kerry County Council was allocated €995,000 under the scheme and managed to spend €980,000 of that, making it one of the most efficient local authorities in spending the money allocated to it. I believe there are some very efficient contractors in the county too, who are always able to get the job done.

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