asked the Minister for Finance the number of schemes for the drainage of rivers which have been completed under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1954, and the number to be completed; and when it is expected that those schemes will be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arterial Drainage Schemes.
47.
Following the passing of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, priority lists of 28 major catchments and thirty minor catchments were prepared. Four major catchment schemes have been completed, works are in progress in four cases and eight are at the survey or design stage. Three minor catchment schemes have been completed, works are in progress in two and three are at the survey or design stage. The drainage programme was extended a few years ago to include "intermediate" rivers, that is, small catchments with independent outfalls. To date two of these schemes have been completed, works are in progress in two cases and another is about to start, and ten are at various stages of preparation. Embankment schemes have been completed in three areas, two are in progress and four more are at the design stage.
It is difficult to prophesy precisely when the drainage programme will be completed. We are going ahead as rapidly as we can and, while the progress has been somewhat better than was originally expected, a great volume of work still remains to be done, but I hope that in about 15 years all the major problems of arterial drainage will have been reached.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give a list of the rivers involved?
Certainly.
I am sure that is an enlargement of the question.