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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Nov 1935

Vol. 59 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Turf Scheme.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the inducements that have been held out to turf cutters in various parts of the country to cut additional turf for sale in the cities and towns, and the amount of money that has been spent in advertisements to this end, he will state if the Bureau of Information has taken any cognisance of, and proposes to issue any reply to or correction of statements made in the local press to the effect that Dublin was to take no more turf from the country; that owing to the consignment of wet sods which had been delivered to their homes, many persons had made up their minds to stick to coal in future, and that hand-won turf, after the experience of last year, must stay in the country.

So far as I am aware only one letter, containing the statements quoted in the question, appeared in the local press. These statements were contradicted by the secretary of the local turf society. It is incorrect to suggest that hand-won turf is not being brought to Dublin but at present only machine-won turf is being offered to Dublin merchants by the Turf Development Board.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is aware that complaints are being made that the lion's share of the profits of the turf scheme has been cornered by the middlemen, the railway company, and makers of bags and if he will state whether he is prepared to inquire into the matter with a view to ascertaining how the profits of the scheme are distributed.

I am aware that complaints in the matter of prices charged for turf have been made. If the Deputy has specific complaints on the point I would be prepared to have the matter examined if he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total number of sacks distributed up to date to each county in connection with the turf scheme.

The total number of sacks at present distributed to each county in connection with the turf scheme is 106,060, made up as follows:

COUNTY

Quantity

Monaghan

300

Tipperary

331

Sligo

1,681

Roscommon

2,656

Waterford

100

Westmeath

221

Offaly

10,540

Mayo

15,313

Meath

400

Leitrim

1,517

Kilkenny

1,000

Kildare

13,030

Kerry

42,028

Galway

5,002

Donegal

7,020

Clare

4,821

Cork

100

TOTAL

106,060

These figures do not include issues of sacks from the commencement of the scheme, as owing to frequent issues and returns to and from the various societies, these figures would be difficult to compile.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total amount of money paid for the purchase of sacks in connection with the turf scheme for the years 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35, and the amount which it is estimated will be so spent during the current financial year.

Expenditure on the purchase of sacks in connection with the peat fuel development scheme was:— 1932-33, nil; 1933-34, £6,010 1s. 10d.; 1934-35, £11,862 19s. 3d.; 1935-36, £10 7s. 3d. (no further expenditure is anticipated during the current financial year).

Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he be good enough to say whether my prophecy, that the only person who would make any money out of the turf scheme would be the man who made the bags, has come to pass?

Most emphatically, no.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total amount of money spent on advertising the turf scheme, by means of Press advertisements, posters, handbills, in the years 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35, and the amount which it is estimated will be so spent during the current financial year.

The expenditure on advertising in connection with the turf development scheme was: 1932-33, nil; 1933-34, £1,611 18s. 9d.; 1934-35, £2,306 3s. 6d.; 1935-36 (estimated), £1,500.

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