asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries when it is proposed to begin the work on the pilot area in Ballycroy, County Mayo, as announced.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballycroy (Mayo) Pilot Area.
8.
A survey of the resources and potential of the area is in progress so as to determine the most suitable kinds of facilities and incentives for the purposes of a pilot area scheme for sheep farming. The pilot area will be established as soon as possible after the results of the survey are available.
Could the Minister say how many are engaged on this survey, or what form the survey is taking?
The survey is under two heads. I do not know how many may be engaged on it, in various ways, but the area is being surveyed with a view to ascertaining what are its resources and potential. From a veterinary point of view, it is also being sought out as to what the problems are in regard to sheep flocks in that part of the country generally. These and other relevant factors will be and are now being examined before we finally determine the sort of assistance, aid and scheme that will be employed here. But it will be done during this year; that is absolute.
Is the survey being done by officers of the Minister's Department directly, or through the county committee of agriculture?
Both.