asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that there are a large number of applications lodged with his Department under the Rural Improvements Schemes; that some of these schemes affect accommodation roads required by farmers in connection with tillage operations; that there is dissatisfaction due to the delay in having such schemes inspected and reported on, and if he will state if immediate steps will be taken to allocate inspectors to deal with the applications in question.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Improvements Schemes.
A large number of applications have been received under the Rural Improvements Scheme, some of which relate to accommodation roads required by farmers for tillage operations; but without employing an unduly large staff of inspectors it would not be possible to deal simultaneously with all these applications. Every effort is, however, being made to have cases inspected as quickly as possible.
It is in any event unlikely that, during the spring and summer months, sufficient workers could be spared from turf and agricultural operations to carry out many of the works applied for, but it may be expected that by the end of the harvest season a large proportion of the proposals will have been dealt with, and the approved cases brought to the stage where work can proceed as soon as workmen are available.