asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state how much money has been spent on the purchase of machinery needed for the execution of work under the land project since June, 1951.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Project Machinery.
Mr. O'Higgins
Mr. Walsh
£147,500.
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a considerable delay by his Department in dealing with applications under the land project from County Offaly; and, if so, what steps he will take to ensure that these applications are dealt with more speedily in the future.
Mr. Walsh
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave on the 23rd October last to a similar question by him.
Mr. O'Higgins
Does the Minister accept that there is in fact considerable delay in carrying out work under this project in County Offaly?
Mr. Walsh
No, no more than in any other county.
Mr. O'Higgins
Does the Minister's reply mean that the same progress is being made in the rest of the country as is being made in Offaly?
Mr. Walsh
Yes.
Mr. O'Higgins
Then the quicker you speed it up the better.
Mr. Walsh
Offaly was 12 months behind in coming in under the scheme.
Mr. O'Higgins
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether the amount of machinery available for the execution of work under the land project by his Department is adequate; and, if not, what steps he has taken to secure extra machinery.
Mr. Walsh
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to a similar question from him on the 1st July last.