asked the Minister for Local Government on what basis it is proposed to operate in the coming years the scheme formerly handled by the Special Employment Schemes Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Schemes.
10.
The Government have decided that the grants for farmers' roads, bog roads, and minor drainage works, jointly servicing two or more landholders, will in future be administered under a single scheme. The county councils are being asked to operate this scheme, subject to the general control of my Department. Each grant will be subject to a contribution from the benefiting landholders. The rates of contribution from landholders with low average valuations will range from 2½ per cent in the case of valuations under £5. As this compares with a minimum contribution of 10 per cent under the existing Rural Improvement schemes it will facilitate participation in the new scheme by landholders in the congested western areas on much the same basis as the Minor Employment Schemes.
The detailed arrangements for implementing the new scheme are now being worked out and in the meantime grants under the old system will continue to be administered direct by the Special Employment Schemes Section of my Department.
Employment schemes grants for the urban areas and the non-urbanised towns will continue to be administered by my Department on the existing lines.