Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Mar 1944

Vol. 93 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laoighis and Offaly Turf Production.

Mr. Davin

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the quantity (tons) of turf produced by the County Councils of (1) Laoighis, (2) Offaly, for year ending December 31st, 1943; the quantity sold to (a) county institutions, and (b) Fuel Importers, Ltd., and others during the period mentioned, and the average price per ton received for same; the quantity on the hands of both bodies on the date referred to; also the total amount paid as wages and salaries and for cartage during same period.

Mr. Davin

If the Minister will please answer this question.

Mr. D. Morrissey

Truthfully.

Mr. MacEntee

I am always pleased to answer questions, and particularly this one.

The particulars are mainly in the form of a statistical table which will be circulated with the Official Report.

The information is as follows:—

LAOIGHIS COUNTY:

(1) Estimated quantity of turf produced in year ending 31st December, 1943—11,573 tons.

(2) Quantity sold in year ending 31st December, 1943:—

	1942 turf	1943 turf	Total
	(tons)	(tons)	(tons)
Institutions	2,103	2,783	4,886
Fuel Importers Ltd.	1,483	7,213	8,696
Others	82	77	159
	3,668	10,073	13,741

(3) Average price received:

	per ton
1942 Turf:	s.	d.
Fuel Importers Ltd.	42	6	loaded on lorry—Interim price.
Institutions	42	0	loaded on lorry plus 6s. 6d. delivery charges — Interim price.
Others	48	6	delivered.
1943 Turf:
Fuel Importers Ltd.	38	0	Interim price.
Institutions	38	0	loaded on lorry plus delivery charges estimated at 6s. 6d.:— Interim price.
Others	48	6	delivered.

(4) Estimated quantity of truf unsold on 31st December, 1943—1,500 tons (all 1943 crop).

(5) Total amount paid in year ending 31st December, 1943:

(a) Wages	£20,050 (including £643 unloading).
(b) Salaries	£399.
(c) Cartage	£628.

NOTE—For 1942 Turf the final cost will be approximately 42s. 8d. a ton or 43s. 8d. a ton loaded on lorry on roadside.

OFFALY COUNTY:

(1) Estimated quantity of turf produced in year ending 31st December, 1943—12,494 tons.

(2) Quantity sold in year ending 31st December, 1943:—

	1942 turf	1943 turf	Total
	(tons)	(tons)	(tons)
Institutions	1,283	1,168	2,451
Fuel Importers Ltd.	5,253	11,324	16,577
Others	379	—	379
	6,915	12,492	19,407

(3) Average price received:

	per ton
1942 Turf:	s.	d.
Fuel Importers Ltd.	30	6	loaded on lorry—Interim price, plus £649 5s. 2d. special charges.
Institutions	30	6	loaded on lorry—Interim price.
Others	31	2	loaded on lorry—Final price.
1943 Turf:
Fuel Importers Ltd.	24	0	loaded on lorry—Interim price.
Institutions	24	6	loaded on lorry—Interim price.

(4) Estimated quantity of truf unsold on 31st December, 1943—Nil.

(5) Total amount paid in year ending 31st December, 1943:

(a) Wages	£18,630 (including £289 unloading).
(b) Salaries	£441.
(c) Cartage	£684.

NOTE—For 1942 turf the final cost will be approximately 30s. 8d. loaded on lorry on roadside.

Mr. Norton

The Minister has not to think about that.