asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the periodic flooding of the boglands adjoining the Cushaling River, a tributary of the Barrow River, approximately three and a half miles in length, on the Rathangan-Edenderry road, Co. Kildare; if he is aware that there are a number of families whose houses are flooded with water each year; that there are one hundred and twenty-seven families who cannot get their supplies of turf saved and carted home; that a large number of these live by the cutting, saving and sale of turf and are deprived of their livelihood by the periodic flooding from this river, and whether he will give instructions to have the necessary drainage work in conjunction with the Barrow scheme carried out immediately, thereby giving much-needed employment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DRAINAGE ON THE BARROW.
Mr. BOURKE
The work contemplated on the River Barrow is designed to give an adequate outlet for the waters of the entire catchment, which includes the Cushaling River. The work already completed and in progress has given a measure of relief over the greater part of the Barrow basin, but unfortunately, the Cushaling district, situated as it is on the extreme fringe of the catchment area will be about the last to benefit. It is not feasible, within the limits of an engineering scheme such as the Barrow drainage to carry out relief works or to do piecemeal improvements in isolated districts in advance of the work on the main stream.
Can the Secretary tell us what are those poor people to do in the meantime so as to be able to get their turf saved and brought home?
Mr. BOURKE
That is a matter that is up to the Deputy himself.
I think the Secretary ought to give it further consideration anyway.