asked the Minister for Finance if he will state how far the scheme prepared by the engineers of the Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra Drainage Board, for the drainage of the Corrib, one of the largest catchment areas in the country, has progressed; and whether, in view of the existing unemployment in the County and City of Galway and the growing danger of families being driven out of their homes by floods, he will take immediate steps to have the scheme put into operation without delay.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CORRIB DRAINAGE.
The scheme prepared by the engineers of the Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra drainage district for the improvement of the drainage of the area was laid before the Commissioners of Public Works by a deputation from the trustees in May last. It was pointed out to the deputation that their scheme, which was limited to works on the Lower Corrib between the lake and the sea, did not provide for enlarging the two narrowest points of the existing channel at Menlo and Newcastle shoals, and that no scheme could, without enlargement of the river at these points, effect any improvement in the existing conditions.
The Commissioners of Public Works in January last in a report on the state of this drainage district, showed that the cost of forming such a channel as would keep Lough Corrib a foot lower in winter than it is now would amount to some £50,000. Since then a land valuer has reported that if such a scheme were carried out 5,331 acres would be benefited to the extent of £478 annually, or 1/9½ per acre.
The valuer has since been instructed to report on the remaining lands within the drainage district, including those on the Clare and Cregg rivers, which might benefit if certain additional works estimated to cost a further £50,000 were executed in that area.
Pending the receipt of this further report no action is possible, but, as the scheme stands, it is wholly uneconomic, and can only be carried out by means of large grants from the Government and the County Councils concerned.