asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans and proposals before his Department for the drainage of the Mountrath river, otherwise known as the White Horse river, or if he will consider banking this river from the Rushin Road bridge past the saw mills in Mountrath, County Laois.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.
113.
The drainage of this River Nore tributary could be considered by the Commissioners of Public Works only as part of a comprehensive scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for the Nore catchment as a whole. A survey of the catchment, which will take several years to complete, was begun last year, with a view to the preparation of a drainage scheme.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the bridge in Mountrath town is at present being completely rebuilt and for a number of years past houses have been flooded in the town almost annually? Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider doing something to alleviate this situation?
I am afraid I must give the stock reply which is that the Office of Public Works have no intention of trying to deal with any of these major catchment areas on a piece-meal basis. We intend to deal with the major catchments and this catchment is one of the largest in the country involving 600,000 acres. There are thousands of miles of channels to be examined and it will be several years before any work actually takes place.
I agree with the reply to a certain extent. The Parliamentary Secretary said a survey was begun last year. When does he anticipate that the survey will be completed and work commenced on the drainage of this huge area of land?
It will be a number of years. The amount of money that is made available now for drainage purposes is such that the projected dates that have been indicated by my predecessor may not be met.
Is the amount of money provided being cut back?
No, it is being kept static. It has been the same figure for the past three years.
In view of the drop in the value of money would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that instead of being static it is essential that further money should be granted for this important drainage work?
That would be my view.
114.
asked the Minister for Finance when the Office of Public Works intend to complete the drainage of Channel CH2/7 of the Corrib/Headford catchment drainage scheme.
Scheduled works on Channel CH2/7 of the Corrib/Headford Catchment Drainage Scheme have been completed. Requests for an extension of these works are being considered.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say when a request was first made for an extension to Channel CH2/7?
A request was made and it has been investigated. It was found to be an economic proposition and the board was quite happy to undertake the work but one particular farmer in the area has lodged an objection which is sustainable. I intend to make new proposals to the Minister for Finance and if these are sanctioned I think we could start work on this next year.
When was the original proposal made?
I have not got that information. When the approach was made it was investigated and found to be a solid, firm and acceptable proposal but because of the difficulty with one farmer in the area we had to reapproach the situation. We have now got certain proposals which we hope to put forward to the Minister for Finance very shortly and if he approves I hope we will get to work on this particular job next year.
It has taken a long time. Too long.
115.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will furnish the following information in connection with employment opportunities on the Deel drainage scheme and other schemes on the southern Shannon tributaries, namely; (a) number of employees on the Deel drainage, at present; (b) if temporary redundancy is seriously arising from proceedings in the courts; (c) where alternative work is likely to be available, should temporary redundancy occur on the Deel scheme and (d) the number of employees likely to be affected by temporary redundancy.
There are 19 men employed at present on the maintenance of the Deel drainage scheme. Seven of them are in full-time employment, the other 12 being seasonal. The seasonal work will be completed within the next couple of months. It had been expected that alternative work would have been available on the Maigue scheme by now but it will not be possible to start the work earlier than next year.