asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of the grave unemployment existing in the Carlow district as a result of the termination of the Beet Factory season he will arrange to expedite the work of the Barrow drainage in and adjacent to Carlow; and if he will state when operations are likely to be begun about Graiguecullen.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BARROW DRAINAGE.
It cannot yet be stated when work under the Barrow Drainage Scheme will begin in the neighbourhood of Carlow.
For the sake of economy it is necessary that engineering operations in the different parts of the river shall be undertaken when staff and plant are most readily available, without regard to the state of employment in particular neighbourhoods. Furthermore, I anticipate that the greater part of the work under this scheme in future will have to be carried out by machine tools, and will therefore not provide a great amount of employment.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state whether any of the work is likely to take place during the coming summer in the Carlow area?
Mr. BOURKE
I could not state that.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary hasten the work in Carlow by pushing on with the work at the Kildare end of the river? Then he could deal with the Carlow portion afterwards.