asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to state the amount of the loans sanctioned by his Department for turf-cutting operations in the Counties (a) Laoighis, (b) Offaly, and the amounts charged for interest on such loans, for the year ended 31/3/1942.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loans for Turf Cutting in Laoighis-Offaly.
The amount of overdraft sanctioned in respect of the financial year ended 31/3/1942 in the case of Laoighis for turf-production was £25,000, and in the case of Offaly, £12,000. The interest charged was £400 (estimated) and £212 12s. 9d., respectively.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to state whether any portion of the salaries of the county surveyors and their assistants in the Counties of Laoighis and Offaly was charged to the cost of producing turf and for bog drainage work during the year ended 31/3/1942.
No.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that about 50 per cent. of the time of county surveyors and their assistants has been taken up for the past two years in the supervision of turf cutting operations and bog drainage? In some counties that would represent the equivalent of 2d. in the £ on the rates. Why should the ratepayers have to bear this responsibility instead of the consumers of turf? Should not the amount representing the salaries of the engineering staff be charged to the turf account?
That is a question which, I think, would be a very suitable subject for debate. The county surveyor is engaged in all sorts of activities. He is interested in public health works, in relief works and in turf-cutting operations. In no case is any portion of his salary specifically charged, so far as I know, to these particular works; whether it should or should not be, is a matter of opinion.
The turf that is produced under the supervision of the county surveyor and the engineering staff is sold to consumers and, if the cost price to the consumer includes the wages of the turf workers, why should not a percentage of the salaries of the supervisors be charged in the same way?
By how much would that raise the price of turf in Dublin?
It would not affect it at at all.