asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the necessity for the repair and extension of bog roads in turf producing areas in South Kerry so as to enable turf producers to produce the maximum quantity required for the operation of the turf generating station at Deelis, Cahirciveen, and whether he will have money provided for this purpose from the National Development Fund.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South Kerry Bog Roads.
The need for works on private accommodation bog roads in the area of the Cahirciveen generating station will be examined by the E.S.B. in the light of tenders received by the board for the supply of turf. Where works are considered necessary to facilitate the movement of turf these will be carried out by the Special Employment Schemes Office and will be financed from an allocation which has already been made from the National Development Fund to meet the cost of such works in the areas of the four small generating stations.
Is the Minister aware that the survey has been carried out?
I am afraid I cannot hear the Deputy's supplementary question.
The survey that the Minister referred to in his reply, which he states will be carried out by the E.S.B., has been carried out and I am informed by the E.S.B. that it is a matter for the Department of Industry and Commerce to provide the money. They are prepared to go on with the scheme and to have the necessary production if the accommodation roads are repaired for the producers. Is the Minister aware that, if steps are not taken now to assist the producers, no supplies will be available in 1957 and the result will be that the plant will have to close down?
I am afraid the Deputy misunderstands the position. Perhaps if I give him the background, he will understand it. In November, 1954, the Minister for Finance decided to make available a sum of £200,000 from the National Development Fund towards the cost of road works in the areas of the four small generating stations, which were to be fired by hand-won turf. Tentative allocations have been made to the four areas, Galway, Donegal, Clare and Kerry, to the extent of £116,000, of which Kerry was allocated £19,250. That was for the purpose of repairing county roads in the vicinity of the station. That work has been carried out by the county council in Kerry and in the other areas concerned. There is a sum of £80,000 still left, which is available for repairing bog-roads to facilitate the winning and the delivery of turf to the four generating stations. The E.S.B. have been told to examine the matter in the light of the tenders received and in the light of the possibilities of turf being brought in from particular areas. The Deputy will appreciate that there is little use in constructing a road in an area from which no turf will be offered to the station. The E.S.B., therefore, have been told to examine the matter in the light of the tenders received and, if it is established then that road works are necessary in order to facilitate the winning and delivery of the turf and the E.S.B. so report, the Special Employment Schemes Office of the Board of Works will have the necessary works carried out.
Is the Minister aware that the E.S.B. did carry out the survey that he refers to, that is, the survey in relation to the prospective quantity of turf available in the bog areas? That survey was carried out and the work that he refers to as having been carried out by the county council has not been directly of assistance to the turf producers. What we are asking the Minister to do is to make this £80,000 that he refers to available for the production areas, and if he can expedite that, it will enable us and the people concerned to go ahead with production.
It is intended that this money will be made available for the improvement of roads leading to bogs from which it is hoped to get the turf. If, as the Deputy says, the E.S.B. have dealt with that aspect of the matter and now know the roads to be repaired, then they have to report to the Office of Public Works and, perhaps, the Deputy would now pen another question to the Office of Public Works to see whether the E.S.B. proposals have reached that office.