asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give details of the results of the An Foras Forbartha scheme for the Carraroe district of County Galway, commenced in February, 1967; and what the plan has cost to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Study of Connemara Gaeltacht.
39.
The planning consultant for this study was appointed in February, 1967, and the brief and commission were formally signed on 20th October, 1967, following preliminary survey of the problems. The study covers the entire Connemara Gaeltacht and not only the Carraroe district. The duration of the study is 15 months from October, 1967, and the maximum fee is £8,547. The planning consultant has engaged the services of the Social Science Research Centre at University College, Galway, for the economic and social analysis. An interim report was presented in June, 1968. This has been reviewed with the consultant and the staff of the Social Science Research Centre and the further development of the study agreed. It is expected that the final report will be completed within the contract period. The cost to date is estimated at £5,700.
Is it conceivable that such a report on the whole Connemara area is going to be completed without seeking the collaboration of such an advisory service of the Department of Agriculture which has been operating in the Connemara area since 1891?
I doubt it.
I would direct the attention of the Minister to the fact that there is there a reservoir of highly-specialised information about the Connemara area that would be incomparably useful.
It would be natural to consult them.
As Carraroe is regarded as a tourist area, particularly, and as it is intended further to develop it as such, would the Minister be able to give any indication as to when the 400 houses, approximately, that are there without water will get it?
The contract has been authorised.
Has the Minister any idea as to when work will commence?
I do not know when it will start but it should be soon.
Three months?
I do not see why it should take that long.