asked the Minister for Finance why a rural scheme at Corracloon, Kiltyclogher, County Leitrim, which was applied for by Mr. Thomas Keaney, has been delayed as the papers in this case have been with an inspector for some months and the farmers concerned hope to have the work carried out in June.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo-Leitrim Rural Improvement Schemes.
15.
Mr. Keaney applied for a Minor Employment Schemes grant for this work on 8th November, 1962, and he was informed on 31st December that it was not eligible under that Scheme and he was recommended to apply for a Rural Improvements Scheme grant.
That application was received on 8th February, 1963, and it is, of course, well down in the list of applications outstanding in County Leitrim. We are sure this year of being able to offer grants in County Leitrim only for cases received up to 31st October, 1962. Mr. Keaney's application will, therefore, have to wait until next year.
16.
asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in carrying out many rural improvement schemes in Counties Leitrim and Sligo, some of which were applied for over twelve months ago.
I am not aware that any applications in County Sligo have been outstanding for as long as the Deputy suggests. County Leitrim is a more difficult case because of the great volume of applications from that county, and delay has occurred owing to the shortage of engineers in recent years. The position in the latter respect has now improved and arrangements have been made to ensure that the older cases will be disposed of during the coming months.