asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the rejection by the Department of Agriculture of numerous drainage proposals as being too large to come within the scope of Land Project grants, and in view of the fact that they are too small for classification under arterial drainage, he will consider reintroducing grants under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Grants.
46.
The answer is in the negative.
The Minister will appreciate that quite a number of men who are being laid off road work are a charge on his Department. The Department of Social Welfare pays them to stand around street corners. Would it not be much better to employ them on works of national importance such as drainage work? The Local Authorities (Works) Act would give them the maximum employment in the rural countryside and relieve the situation for his Department.
This does not relate to road work at all; it relates to drainage.
Is the Minister aware that he informed this House that the Minister for Finance would introduce legislation in lieu of the Local Authorities (Works) Act which would give effect to drainage proposals such as are suggested in the question? When is it proposed to implement the promise given by the Minister three or four years ago?
The Deputy is probably referring to the intermediate river drainage scheme which is in operation.
Confined to supporters of the Government.
Would the Minister say how many are drained per year?
It is intended to do four per year.
Four? Under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, it was something in the neighbourhood of 150 per year.
A lot of wasted work was done.
Is the Minister aware that his own Party have been unanimous with all other Parties on local authorities in seeking a resumption of the operations of the Local Authorities (Works) Act?
No.
Further, is the Minister aware that a unanimous resolution was passed, at the Government Party's Ard Fheis, calling on the Government to reintroduce the Local Authorities (Works) Act?
No, there was not. I am aware that that is not so.