asked the Minister for Finance if fair compensation, amounting to £800, will be paid to a person (name supplied) in County Westmeath for drainage work by the Office of Public Works affecting his land; and if, in addition, he will be paid (a) the cost of hay seed for five acres of land (b) the cost of one ton of manure (c) labour costs for the work of seeding and manuring and (d) £160 in respect of fencing erected on the instruction of the Office of Public Works.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Westmeath Compensation Payment.
34.
This claim has been carefully considered by the Commissioners of Public Works taking into account the permanent improvement to his holding arising from the drainage scheme.
A fair offer of compensation has been made to the claimant, namely, £725 plus his reasonable costs, that is, the fees, etc. of his valuer. In addition he is being paid his claim for £169.92 in respect of fencing which he was told would be refunded after erection.
I might add that it is open to the claimant in default of agreement to have compensation decided by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.