asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether, in view of the recent Press statements to the effect that it is the Government's intention to discontinue the semi-automatic production of turf by Bord na Móna, he will state if it is his intention to discontinue work on these schemes in West Limerick for the 1950 season.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Production.
The decision to discontinue the production of turf by the semi-automatic machines under the special turf production scheme applies to those schemes hitherto in operation in West Limerick.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce it he will state the number of schemes under the semi-automatic machine-won turf schemes operated in County Galway by Bord na Móna in the season 1949, the total production and number of persons employed in each scheme; and whether, in view of the Government's announcement that these schemes are to be discontinued, he will state what arrangements have been made to find alternative employment for the workers and where; and, further, the total cost of the machinery employed in the operation of these schemes, and what arrangements have been made to dispose of this machinery.
As the information requested by the Deputy is mainly in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
I am informed by Bord na Móna that the number of schemes in County Galway on which semi-automatic machines were worked in 1949 was ten, particulars of which are as follows:—
|
Bog Name |
Production (Tons) |
Number Employed at Peak |
Cost of Machinery Used |
|
£ |
|||
|
Lomanaghroe |
2,304 |
43 |
2,600 |
|
Gunnode |
709 |
13 |
650 |
|
Kiladerry |
2,855 |
44 |
1,950 |
|
Derryfadda |
1,309 |
20 |
1,300 |
|
Maam Cross |
2,763 |
67 |
2,600 |
|
Bovroughan |
1,651 |
70 |
1,950 |
|
Loughaunbeg |
905 |
43 |
1,300 |
|
Knock |
861 |
33 |
1,300 |
|
Kilmacshane |
1,060 |
17 |
1,300 |
|
Kylemore |
2,748 |
56 |
1,300 |
In addition a further 25 men were employed in the harvesting of turf left over from the 1948 season on bogs on which no turf was produced in 1949.
Men laid off work on the special production schemes in County Galway have been informed by the board that employment is available to them at the board's permanent machine bogs in Counties Kildare, Offaly and Galway, at which hostel accommodation is provided.
The question of disposal of the machinery used on these schemes is under consideration.