asked the Minister for Finance whether his attention has been called to a demand made by a representative meeting of residents in the area of the River Owenmore Drainage Scheme, held recently in Ballymote, that payment of instalments due on the above scheme be postponed until the present condition of flooding is remedied by the completion of the scheme through the granting of a further loan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Owenmore Drainage Area.
The Commissioners of Public Works have completed their operations in the Owenmore Drainage District and the execution of any necessary works of maintenance is a matter for the Sligo County Council. Copies of the Resolutions passed on the 12th instant at Ballymote relative to this district have been considered by the Commissioners. It is not possible to do anything to postpone the payment of instalments as suggested, as the Final Award for the district has been sealed by the Commissioners and enrolled in the High Court and is, therefore, conclusive and binding on all parties.
The improved area is set out as 6,200a. 2r. 17p. in the Final Award, the increase in the annual present value of the land as £877 19s. 5d., and the annual drainage charge for 40 years as £1,050.
The drainage charge provides both for the repayment with interest of a capital expenditure of £8,860 in 40 years and for a drainage maintenance rate of £500 per annum for the same period. On the figures in the Final Award the average annual charge will amount to 3s. 4½d. per acre.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state if the person appointed to hold the inquiry twelve months ago has furnished his report to the Commissioners and if that report is available?
Mr. Bourke
It is not available as yet.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the question of allocating an additional sum to remove the cause of flooding which it was stated at the inquiry was still prevalent in this river area?
Mr. Bourke
No. We cannot undertake that.