asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, in order to increase turf production in Mayo, he will request the county manager to grant an advance to private turf producers as part payment, thereby guaranteeing them that such turf when saved will not be left on their hands by the council.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Production in Mayo.
The existing arrangements are working satisfactorily, and do not appear to call for any alteration. They are as follows: Where private producers are working under a definite contract to sell to the county council a payment on account representing 80 per cent. of the value of the work done is made (if required) when the turf is cut and spread. When the turf is saved and ricked on the roadside ready for removal, a further payment on account can be made, if required to bring the total payment up to 80 per cent. of the value of the turf. Final payment is made when the turf is measured and taken over by the county council.
I have been given to understand that private producers who make application for an instalment when they have turf cut and spread will not be granted it by the county manager. That means that they have to go for a long period, from the cutting to the ricking of the turf on the roadside, before they can get any assistance in the form of income which is due to them. It would be of considerable assistance if the county manager could see his way to give them some instalment when the turf is cut, spread and footed. It would also be an encouragement.
I want to make it quite clear that if private producers are working on speculation on their own account they cannot get any assistance, but if they are working under a contract to sell turf to the county council they get 80 per cent. of the value of the work done at the stages I have mentioned.