asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in commencing work on the river Groody; and when work will now commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drainage Schemes.
117.
Since the exhibition of the scheme time had to be spent on consideration of the observations received and compliance with the other requirements of the Act. The scheme has now been confirmed and work on the ground is expected to start shortly.
118.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the proposed closure of the Moy drainage is causing serious concern in Mayo where thousands of acres of land are still being flooded and where workers are being laid off for want of employment; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
I think it well to explain that when the original scheme for the Moy drainage catchment was being prepared a through survey of all the channels and tributaries was made and every drain which could be improved to provide benefit to the adjoining lands within reasonable limits of cost was included. The works carried out provided such substantial improvements that landholders who had not benefited made a large number of applications for additional drainage works. Each of those was carefully examined and about 50 of them were approved for inclusion in the scheme. The rest had to be turned down on the grounds that they were either hopelessly uneconomic, technically unfeasible, or capable of being dealt with by the landowners themselves with or without the assistance of the Land Rehabilitation Project. The scheme is now far advanced and as the works are nearing completion the number of men employed will naturally decrease.
There will, of course, be continued employment on maintenance of the drainage works on which about 100 men will be employed at peak each year.
119.
asked the Minister for Finance when the Robe drainage scheme will commence; and if he will take steps to have the main portion of it done, if possible in 1971.
The preparation of a scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, for this catchment area is proceeding. It will be necessary to exhibit it locally and to comply with the other requirements of the Act before the scheme can be confirmed. At this stage it is not possible to say how soon works can be begun.