asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date on the mapping survey programme under way in his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Survey Programme.
5.
The greater part of the survey of Dublin city and county towns, Cork city and hinterland, and also a number of county towns has been completed, and maps have been published, or are at an advanced stage of publication, for all of these areas. The resurvey of Limerick city including the Shannon Industrial Development Area and Ennis, is under way and the resurvey of the county is about to commence. The resurvey of Waterford city and its environs will also commence early this year, as will the resurvey of Galway city.
Could the Minister tell me the year by which it is hoped the overall mapping survey will be completed?
After the next census.
It is very difficult to say but it is expected that the urban areas will be completed in the early eighties and the rural mapping programme will be completed within the next 20 years. It is unfortunate it was delayed for so long before we came into office and got things moving.
Is the Minister satisfied that there are a sufficient number of staff engaged on this project which he regards as being very urgent?
Priority is being given to the resurvey of the whole country and the speed of the survey has been greatly accelerated. One would always wish it to be moving faster than it is but it will take some time to train the staff. The work force of the survey office has been considerably increased. I hope in years to come it will be possible further to increase the staff because there is a great need for up-to-date maps and the completion of the resurvey of the whole country and, as the country advances physically, it will become more urgent to have continual resurveys taking place.
Question No. 6.
Is the Minister telling me that at present there is a training force in this work under way within the mapping section of the Department?
All staff, in the light of experience, are trained. The fact that there are more people there now than there used to be means that people are becoming more advanced in their skills.
Is there a phased target schedule by which certain areas would be completed?
There is an expectation that various areas will be completed but I do not have the details of the whole country here. I have already given the Deputy a vast amount of detail.
What parts of County Wicklow have been surveyed? Am I right in taking it for granted that after an area has been brought up to date, it will be continually revised?
That is the intention. If there had not been so many years in which surveys were not carried out at all, the present burden of work would not be so heavy. In Wicklow it is proposed to commence the resurveys of the Bray area at the commencement of the year——
Can the Minister say when the survey will be completed?
I have not got any information on the duration of the survey of the Bray area.
Would the Minister be able to pass on that information to me?
I should be happy to do so.
In view of the information the Minister has given will he now find it possible to find Slattery's pub?
If the Deputy will join me there tonight I will be very happy.