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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 1956

Vol. 160 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Reclamation Schemes.

asked the Minister for Agriculture whether there is to be any reduction in the number of land reclamation schemes examined by his officers from now to the end of the current financial year; and if he will state the amount of expenditure approved to date since the commencement of the financial year, and the amount approved at the corresponding date in 1955.

Expenditure under the land project during the first six months of the current financial year was approximately £1,676,000, as compared with £1,445,000 during the corresponding period last year. Having regard to the unprecedentedly heavy outlay already incurred this year, my Department's officers must programme the work so as to ensure that the amount available will not be exceeded. Inspections of work in progress will continue in the normal way, but inspections for the purpose of preparing new schemes must be determined by the funds available.

Might I ask the Minister whether the land reclamation scheme has been mentioned to him in terms of any particular capital priority, in view of his reply?

As usual, and as laid down in the Taoiseach's statement of policy recently, agriculture has a high priority in any programme of capital expenditure sponsored by this Government, but so developed is the efficiency of the Department of Agriculture in the course of the past two years that we are now, perhaps, tempted to overspend our appropriations by getting our work done too quickly.

In a tailspin.

No, Deputy, but in a spiral of success.

Agricultural spending has been frozen under two headings.

Some people say I am travelling too fast.

Might I inquire whether expenditure in the second portion of the year will show a reduction in the expenditure on payments to farmers?

That seems to be a separate question.

Perhaps the Deputy would put down this brainwave and then I shall try to deal with it.

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