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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 May 1958

Vol. 167 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Completed Drainage Schemes.

asked the Minister for Finance what schemes have been completed under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the total acreage of land in each catchment area the drainage of which has been completed, and the separate acreages of flooded land and damaged land.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the estimated increase in the annual value per acre of flooded land and of damaged land.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 15 and 16 together.

Schemes under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, have been completed in respect of the Brosna catchment area, Counties Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, and the Glyde and Dee catchment area, Counties Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan.

The total area of the Brosna catchment is about 312,000 acres. An area of approximately 50,000 acres of land was drained or otherwise improved and, in addition, outfalls were provided for the development of some 36,000 acres of virgin bog. The area of the Glyde and Dee catchment is about 180,000 acres, of which 26,000 acres of land were drained or otherwise improved.

The increase in the annual value of agricultural lands improved by the Brosna catchment scheme was estimated at 7/8 per acre based on land values prevailing in 1939. The increase in the case of the Glyde and Dee scheme, based on 1949 values, was estimated at 15/- per acre. It is not feasible to distinguish between "flooded land" and "damaged land".

Why was 1939 taken as the basis in the case of the Brosna catchment and 1949 in the case of the Glyde and Dee?

Offhand I cannot say. I have not got that information. I think it is due to the much earlier date at which the survey was carried out in respect of the Brosna.

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