asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that there is great delay in having applications inspected for minor relief and rural improvement schemes in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim; and if he will take steps to speed up these investigations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Improvement Schemes in Roscommon and Leitrim.
38.
It is regretted that because of vacanices in the inspectorate staff there has been some delay in the inspection of Rural Improvements Scheme applications, particularly in County Leitrim where the demand for grants is especially heavy. Steps are in train to recruit additional engineering staff.
Inspections of Minor Employment Scheme applications are geared to the preparation of the winter programme of schemes each year, and it is expected that all cases in Counties Leitrim and Roscommon for which grants are likely to be available in the coming year's programme will be inspected in good time.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is over a twelve months' period of delay from the date of the application and also that there is a delay of up to six months from the sending of the demand in the case of Rural Improvements Schemes?
There are, in Roscommon itself, only three cases prior to 1st March, 1961, which have not yet been disposed of and, for County Leitrim, there are only seven roads cases prior to the same date outstanding, and 19 drains.
It is much longer than that.
If the Parliamentary Secretary is successful in his recruiting campaign for engineers, may we take it that an engineer will be put into Roscommon-Leitrim?
That is the intention.