asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the future policy in relation to the rural improvements schemes; and if present responsibilities are to be abandoned.
35.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Improvements Schemes.
34.
asked the Minister for Finance if application forms are now available and if they will be received for all rural improvement scheme proposals for this year; and if grants will be made available in all cases at present under consideration.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
Grants are continuing to be provided under the Rural Improvements Scheme, within the limit of the available funds and it is not true that the Scheme is being abandoned. I do not, however, rule out the possibility of changes in the method of administering the Scheme and carrying out the works.
As regards application forms, I regret that it has been necessary for some time past to suspend the acceptance of new applications. There are still more than sufficient proposals on hands to absorb the whole of the provision for the current year.
Is it a fact that applications have been suspended for the past seven months?
No, it is not a fact. Speaking from memory, I would say they have been suspended since January.
I had a letter from the Parliamentary Secretary in the month of September last telling me they were then suspended and that he would inform me when he would be in a position to accept them.
There are so many applications before the Special Employment Schemes Office for work to be carried out under those schemes that, in spite of the fact that the provision last year was a record, it would not be wise to take on any new commitments.
Is it not a fact that we have taken on no new ones since September last?
There will be no new commitments for the time being because there are so many on hands.
When the Parliamentary Secretary says he anticipates a new arrangement or new organisation within the Special Employment Schemes Office, will the same system of finance be adhered to or, with the authority which he proposes to transfer to local authorities, will he also transfer to them the responsibility to finance it and therefore impose an additional burden on the already increased rates?
The anticipations of the Deputy have no foundation in fact.
The situation is not due to the volume of applications. It is due to the fact that there is only £400,000 being spent this year as against £900,000 last year.
The Deputy is not asking a question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary please repeat the answer to my supplementary question?
Deputy Harte was anticipating a situation after his own manner. I feel no responsibility for whatever prognostications he may care to make, but I must say they have no relation to the facts.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary why was so little money spent by the Special Employment Schemes Office or the Rural Improvement Schemes section and why so little work has been done in the past 12 months? I suggest they are folding up.
More work has been done during the past 12 months by the Special Employment Schemes Office than ever before in its history.
Where?
All over the country.
Where has it been done in Donegal?
Four supervisors have been given notice.
Deputy Donnellan is not asking a question but is making statements and interrupting. There are 140 questions on the Order Paper. I will not allow any more than three supplementary questions from now on.
If we could get direct answers, we would not have to ask so many supplementaries.