asked the Minister for Finance how members of staff in the Office of Public Works who were formerly employed on rural improvement schemes and minor employment scheme are now engaged.
33.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Improvement and Minor Employment Schemes.
30.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications under rural improvement schemes on which a decision had not been given at the date of suspension of the schemes.
34.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications under minor employment schemes on which a decision had not been given at the date of suspension of the schemes.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 30, 33, and 34 together.
The rural improvements scheme has not been suspended. Schemes to the value of more than £200,000 have been approved to date this year, and further schemes will be approved within the limit of the available funds.
In August, 1965, there were approximately 1,700 rural improvements schemes applications outstanding, more than enough to complete a normal programme of works for the following financial year, and the acceptance of new applications was suspended until these were disposed of.
An exception was made in the case of applicants for works which formerly would have been eligible as minor employment or bog development schemes, and a total of 922 rural improvements schemes application forms were issued to such persons, of which 326 have so far been returned to the Office.
Members of the permanent staff of the Special Employment Schemes Office rendered redundant by the merging of the minor employment and bog development schemes in the rural improvements scheme were transferred to other Government Departments. Four supervisors who had passed the normal age limit were retired.
31.
asked the Minister for Finance if and when it is proposed to proceed with the rural improvement scheme at Grousehall, Tieremore PO, County Donegal.
This road was improved under the rural improvements scheme in 1960-61 at a cost of £798, of which £718 was State grant. An application for a supplementary grant to ease a steep hill will be considered when the earlier cases still awaiting attention have been disposed of.
32.
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the acceptance of new applications under the rural improvements scheme was suspended; and the date on which he anticipates acceptance of new applications will be resumed.
35.
asked the Minister for Finance if there is any hope of eliminating the long delay in dealing with applications under the special employment scheme; and if he is aware that old boreens which served their purpose in the days of the horse and cart are useless now with the advent of modern machinery.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 32 and 35 together.
The acceptance of new applications under the rural improvements scheme, except for proposals in former minor employment or bog development schemes areas, was suspended from 9th August, 1965. As indicated in my reply to Question No. 7 on 5th October, 1966, it is not proposed to resume the general acceptance of new applications pending a decision as to alternative arrangements for carrying out the schemes. In making that decision due consideration will be given to the desirability of making accommodation roads suitable for present day farm traffic, but competing demands on the Exchequer for other important services must also be taken into account.