asked the Minister for Finance the number of Bog Development Schemes provisionally approved for County Galway for the year 1961-62 and their estimated cost; how these schemes are generally applied for; and if he will indicate the factors he takes into account before approving of them for execution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Bog Development Schemes.
13.
245 bog development schemes costing £26,190 of which 120 costing £12,390 were drainage works and the balance of 125 costing £13,800 were roadworks have been provisionally approved for execution in County Galway in the financial year 1961-62. Applications for these schemes are generally made in the first instance by or on behalf of the turf producers.
The main factors taken into consideration in the selection of Bog Development Schemes for execution are as follows:—
1. The amount which can be made available for each county having regard to (a) the total amount made available by the Dáil for these schemes in the country as a whole (b) the number of suitable cases on which reports are available for consideration in each county and (c) the total amount sanctioned for the county under this head in previous years.
2. The cost of each proposal, whether road or drain, in relation to the quantity and quality of turf produced in the bog which the proposal serves.
3. The quantity for sale in adjacent towns, and
4. The hardships involved in existing conditions.