asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware, in connection with the rejection by his Department of a scheme to clean and widen the canal in the townland of Murreigh, Waterville, County Kerry, that considerable flooding and loss has occurred to a large number of farmers resident in that area who are unable to drain their lands and if in view of these circumstances he will reconsider the matter with a view to having the work carried out as a minor employment scheme and thereby give these small holders an opportunity of draining and developing their holdings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flooding in County Kerry.
I assume the question refers to the following work: "The widening and deepening of a watercourse in the townland of Murreigh from the estuary of the Inny River to a point in the vicinity of `The Chapel Cross' ". If so, it is one of a large number of proposals for employment schemes for the same area, several of which are of superior merit, judged by their cost in relation to the number of landholders served, and which, naturally, must receive priority in the winter programme.
For this reason, there is little prospect of the work in question being undertaken as a minor employment scheme with a full-cost grant, for a considerable time to come, but its execution can be hastened if the landholders concerned are prepared to contribute to its cost under the rural improvements scheme.
As the people concerned are not in a position to contribute under the scheme referred to, will the Minister take steps to have the matter again reviewed, with a view to having this scheduled as a drainage scheme to be carried through in the summer period?
If the Deputy makes those representations to the Department they will be given consideration.