asked the Minister for Finance if arterial drainage work being carried out by the Office of Public Works under the Boyne drainage scheme on the Enfield Blackwater has ceased; if so, why; and when work will be resumed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Boyne Drainage Scheme.
4.
Because of the reduced capital provision for arterial drainage construction works in the current year's estimates it has been found necessary in the interests of economic working to concentrate activities on a reduced number of channels in the Boyne catchment.
Work on the Enfield Blackwater was undertaken last year with the aid of moneys not then required for operations elsewhere, but with the build up of the organisation all the funds available for the current year will be needed for the original schedule of works.
In view of the information he has given the House, would the Parliamentary Secretary now agree that the district drainage boards which have kept those tributaries open for a number of years should be allowed to carry out the maintenance work this year which was ceased because of a decision by the Office of Public Works to do the job themselves?
I will certainly go into that matter with the Deputy. I realise that the maintenance was done out of county council funds previously. It is a matter which will have to get consideration and I hope to have something on it tomorrow.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary believe that it is good policy to reduce employment on drainage schemes? This work can help to increase production——
That is a separate question.
It is unfortunate that it is the ordinary labouring man who is being let go.
It is a separate question.
Concerning the Boyne.
No one has been let go.
If there is less money to spend men will certainly be let go, and men have been let go from work on the land, forestry and fisheries.
We cannot have a debate on this matter.
That is not so.
It is so.