asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that many farmers are unable to avail of the land reclamation project due to the fact that many rivers and streams require to be deepened or cleaned; and, if so, whether he will endeavour to see that the officials of his Department will co-operate to the utmost with the county councils to ensure that these farmers are facilitated in this respect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Rehabilitation Project.
I am aware that the fact that many rivers and streams require to be deepened and cleaned is impeding operations under the land project and officers of my Department have instructions to co-operate fully with officers of the local authority in all matters connected with the drainage of agricultural land. Consultations are at present in progress between my Department and the Department of Local Government with a view to achieving the maximum amount of co-ordination.
Is it not true that the Minister for Agriculture has now authority to request the Board of Works, on an agency basis, to carry out drainage work of this character for the Minister for Agriculture and that the technical staff of the Board of Works has been strengthened with about 60 engineers in order to enable them to carry out the Minister for Agriculture's requirements in that regard?
Mr. Walsh
The matter of co-ordination between Departments in this connection is being considered.
So the Minister will not confine himself to the Department of Local Government?
A decision was made on that.
asked the Minister for Agriculture what experimental or pilot schemes are in progress in connection with the hill grazing division of the Land Rehabilitation Project.
Mr. Walsh
Experimental schemes are in progress in County Donegal as follows: at Newtowndrumgorman, area six acres; at Kincrum, 11½ acres; at Meenavalley, 3¾ acres; at Meen-tullynagarn, 4¼ acres; at Cashelcarn, 15½ acres.
The experiments comprise manuring, direct reseeding, and pioneer cropping with a view to demonstrating improvement in grazing potential.