asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (1) the total estimated cost for carrying out a minor relief drainage scheme at Gracefield, Portarlington, Offaly; (2) the total number of men employed, and the average number of days employed and wages paid; (3) the cost of supervision, including wages of ganger; (4) whether the scheme has been completed, and whether there was an undue delay in the payment of wages to the men employed, and what procedure was adopted for the payment of wages in this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Drainage Scheme.
No record can be traced of any drainage scheme sanctioned under the employment schemes Vote for Gracefield, Portarlington, County Offaly.
Over 3,000 separate works were sanctioned for execution under the employment schemes Vote in 1936-37, and the preparation of the information asked for in respect of each individual work would involve an undue expenditure of time of a staff which is already fully engaged in making preparations for the current year's employment programme.
If such a scheme cannot be traced, will the Parliamentary Secretary explain how it is that a written reply of an unsatisfactory nature can be sent out by the Board of Works admitting that such a scheme is in operation?
I am afraid a double hypothetical question cannot be answered.