To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the reasons for the reported shortages of salt and gritting resources in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, due to supply issues with her Department, including (i) the nature and duration of the supply issues; (ii) any contingency arrangements that were in place; and (iii) any steps being taken to prevent a recurrence.

The Department provides gritting salt under existing agreements with a number of councils, for the removal of snow and ice from town centre footways and pedestrian areas. These agreements are activated during prolonged periods of severe weather.

Priority is given to the provision of salt for the treatment of the gritted road network, after which the Department makes salt available to local Councils for the treatment of town centre footways and pedestrian areas. There are currently no issues impacting this supply of salt.

This agreement is for salt supplies in addition to stocks held by Councils for the treatment of council facilities.