asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the cause of the delay by the Board of Works in starting the drainage schemes in the districts of Busselstown and Heatestown, Mullingar; if he is aware that a petition for this scheme has been lodged since February last, signed by thirteen farmers who are willing to pay a reasonable rate, and if he will state when this work will be started, as there is a large number of agricultural labourers unemployed in the districts.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - MULLINGAR DRAINAGE SCHEMES.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The Commissioners of Public Works have no record of the receipt of a petition under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, in respect of either of the districts referred to in the question. A petition relative to the Riverstown River—portion of which flows through the townland of Heatestown— was received from the Westmeath County Council in November last. One of the Commissioners' engineers has inspected this district, and a land valuer is visiting the district this week and will furnish a report as to the probable increase in value of the lands proposed to be improved. On the receipt of his report the Commissioners will decide whether the circumstances are such as to justify the preparation of a detailed drainage scheme. In any event, in view of the preliminary procedure necessary under the Act, no work can be carried out this year in any of the proposed drainage districts.