asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that owing to the overflowing of the lough at Tacumshane hundreds of acres of land in its vicinity have been submerged, and also the laneways leading to the holdings of the people adjoining the lough; that as a result some of these people have had to remove their live stock, including milking cows off the lands around their farmsteads and leave them, without shelter, on fields at a distance to which it is difficult to convey fodder, and that through the flooding their root crops are under water and are being destroyed; if he will send an inspector of his Department to the area to report on the position, and if he will allocate a Grant-in-Aid to relieve the hardships caused to these people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding in Co. Wexford.
Attention was called early last year to the flooding of lands caused by the impounding of water in Tacumshane Lough, and after due consideration of the reports of engineers who visited the area, a grant was made available from the Relief Vote, the only source from which money could be made available, for the purpose of opening a channel from the lough to the sea. A channel was cut which released the impounded waters, but owing to the occurrence of severe gales at a critical time the newly-made channel was closed again and the work rendered abortive. The matter is being kept under review in relation to the unemployment position in the area.