asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of the years 1929 to 1934, inclusive (a) the number of applications for mining leases received by him; (b) the number of such leases granted; (c) the periods for which the grants were made, and (d) the number of persons to whom advances were made for the relief of unemployment in connection with the development of mines and the sums so allocated.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Mining Leases.
Forty-two applications have been received in the period to which the Deputy refers and 17 have been granted. The period varies from two years to 99 years. Grants have been made for mineral development in 44 cases from moneys provided by the Oireachtas for the relief of unemployment. The total amount of these grants is £16,440, excluding £17,255 for road improvement in mineral areas which was expended for the most part through county councils.