asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the wide demand for the restoration of grants under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949 to carry out essential drainage schemes and to relieve unemployment, he will consider making funds available to local authorities for such work.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authorities (Works) Act Grants.
9.
There are at present a number of schemes in operation under which drainage works may be carried out either by the State or with State assistance. The re-introduction of grants under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949, is not at present contemplated.
This is one of these fellows that one has to question. Is the Minister aware that in Cork county it is impossible to obtain State assistance for drainage works at the present time? Is he aware that we have little or no arterial drainage schemes? Is he further aware that farmers are coming along trying to get help from the council for drainage works or are trying to get assistance by way of recommendation to the Minister for the restoration of these grants? The same applies all over the country. When the Minister has answered that question, I shall ask him another.
I am not responsible for arterial drainage but I have a list of six different schemes under which drainage work can be carried out. With regard to drainage works carried out under this particular Act, it was found by experience that these tended to have an isolated and piecemeal approach to the problem; that they were not in many cases prepared on the basis of adequate surveys, that a number of them achieved only short-term results and were in fact a waste of money.
Assuming the Minister to be correct in his contention —which, of course, he is not—would he not agree that a piecemeal approach to the problem is better than no approach at all? Is the Minister not aware that all councils of the General Council of County Councils have again and again made repeated representations for the restoration of grants? Is he not aware that farmers cannot avail of Land Reclamation Scheme grants until the main rivers and drains are cleared? Having regard to the fact that the Government have raided the Road Fund to the extent of £127,800 in Cork county, surely they should now have money in hand to give to the councils under this heading?
The Act is still in operation. If county councils wish to carry out work under it with their own funds, they are at liberty to do so.
Is the Minister aware that all works carried out under this scheme, as operated by the inter-Party Government, were carried out with State grants? Is the Minister not further aware, for his legal information, that if they had the money in Cork, they say they could not carry out the work under this Act?
I know that money was wasted at that time.
Is it not the position that the Government now have no money for drainage, water or sewerage schemes? The Minister has not the courtesy to reply to representations.
Order.
Was it not announced that it was proposed to make funds available annually to the local authorities to carry out drainage work on a system identical with that provided under the Local Authorities (Works) Act?
Only in local election areas.
Have you not announced that?
It must be Deputy Dillon's imagination.
No.
Any money spent on drainage for the farmers was wasted, is that not what the Minister is saying?
No. A lot of the money spent under this ill-conceived scheme was wasted.
That is interesting.
There are a number of schemes available for drainage for works based on a proper survey so that the money will be usefully spent and will be of lasting benefit to the farmers.
Is the Minister——
I cannot allow any more supplementary questions. Question No. 10.