asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether a scheme for the drainage of the Corrib catchment area has been prepared; and, if so, when drainage operations are expected to commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Corrib Drainage.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (i) if the scheme for the arterial drainage of the Corrib-Clare-Dalgan catchment area has been prepared; (ii) the estimated cost of the scheme; (iii) the acreage of land it is anticipated will be improved as a result of the operation; (iv) the amount of money which will be provided in theEstimates for 1953-54 for the scheme, and (v) the date on which the work will commence.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
The preparation of the Corrib-Clare scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, is almost completed but final estimates of the cost and of the benefited acreage are not yet available. The area of land to be improved will be in the region of 50,000 acres. The date of commencing actual works is dependent on many factors—notably the volume and nature of the observations following exhibition of the scheme locally. Assuming that no unusual or unforeseen difficulties arise, I would hope that a start could be made in the coming autumn.
Pending the presentation to Dáil Éireann of the Estimates for 1953-54 I am unable to indicate the precise amount to be provided therein for this scheme.