asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of money spent on arterial drainage in each year from 1965 to 1978.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arterial Drainage.
22.
The total amount spent on arterial drainage each year since 1965 is shown in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report. Following is the statement:—
Expenditure on Arterial Drainage
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
|
Year |
Survey |
Construction |
Maintenance |
Total |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1965/66 |
20,269 |
1,533,496 |
159,243 |
1,713,008 |
|
1966/67 |
17,728 |
1,414,094 |
169,389 |
1,601,211 |
|
1967/68 |
20,093 |
1,428,633 |
182,948 |
1,631,674 |
|
1968/69 |
39,878 |
1,483,536 |
209,240 |
1,732,654 |
|
1969/70 |
30,329 |
1,478,713 |
294,244 |
1,803,286 |
|
1970/71 |
39,103 |
1,581,903 |
371,878 |
1,992,884 |
|
1971/72 |
33,143 |
1,273,149 |
459,590 |
1,765,882 |
|
1972/73 |
26,136 |
1,173,563 |
621,281 |
1,820,980 |
|
1973/74 |
37,552 |
1,307,624 |
767,137 |
2,112,313 |
|
1974 |
48,583 |
1,403,512 |
735,015 |
2,187,110 |
|
(9 months) |
(9 months) |
|||
|
1975 |
52,874 |
2,631,757 |
1,118,368 |
3,802,999 |
|
1976 |
82,046 |
3,208,956 |
1,314,269 |
4,605,271 |
|
1977 |
95,701 |
3,608,349 |
1,383,282 |
5,087,332 |
|
1978 |
85,000 |
4,200,000 |
1,700,000 |
5,985,000 |
|
(Estimated) |
23.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the priority list for arterial drainage schemes at the present time.
24.
asked the Minister for Finance if there are two priority lists for arterial drainage schemes; and, if so, the difference between the two lists.
25.
asked the Minister for Finance if, at any time in the past, a decision was taken to proceed with the major drainage schemes; when this decision was taken; and the present policy on this matter.
26.
asked the Minister for Finance the present policy regarding minor drainage schemes.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take questions Nos. 23 to 26, together.
Priority lists for major catchment areas—those over 100,000 acres—and minor catchment areas—those under 100,000 acreas—were drawn up in 1946 and a decision to proceed with the preparation of schemes under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 for the catchment areas on the lists was taken about that time. An ad hoc decision is taken in regard to the carrying out of each drainage scheme—the date of the decision to carry out the first drainage scheme under the Act, that is, the Brosna Drainage Scheme, was 18 August 1947.
Details of the lists will, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, be circulated with the Official Report. Following are the lists:
Major Catchments: 1. Brosna; 2. Glyde and Dee; 3. Feale; 4. Corrib; 5. Moy; 6. Maine; 7. Inny; 8. Suck; 9. Boyne; 10. Erne; 11. Little Brosna; 12. Deel; 13. Boyle; 14. Maigue; 15. Suir; 16. Owenmore (Sligo); 17. Mulkear; 18. Nore; 19. Monaghan Blackwater; 20. Fergus; 21. Liffey; 22. Blackwater (Cork); 23. Barrow; 24. Lee (Cork); 25. Bandon; 26. Finn; 27. Laune; 28. Slaney.
Minor Catchments: 1. Nenagh; 2. Ballyteige; 3. Cahore; 4. Broadmeadow; 5. Killimor; 6. Quinn; 7. Owenkeagh; 8. Bonet; 9. Strokestown; 10. Dunkellin; 11. Inagh; 12. Scarriff; 13. Rinn and Black River; 14. Nanny; 15. Longford; 16. Sow; 17. Ballinhassig; 18. Lavally; 19. Lee (Kerry); 20. Fane; 21. Six-milebridge; 22. Elphin; 23. Eslin; 24. Foyle; 25. Leannan; 26. Errif; 27. Tolka; 28. Owenea; 29. Owenmore (Mayo); 30. Swilly.
Schemes have been completed in the following catchment areas: Brosna, Glyde and Dee, Feale, Corrib-Clare and Corrib-Headford, Moy, Maine, Inny, Deel, Nenagh, Ballyteige, Broadmeadow and Killimor.
Scheme works are in progress in the Boyne and Maigue catchment areas. The present policy is to proceed as resources permit with the preparation and execution of drainage schemes for the catchment areas on the lists which have not yet been reached.
I asked if there were two priority lists, major and minor, and if there has been any change in policy in this regard in recent times.
No.
I would refer to a letter I received from the Minister on 19 May last in which he stated that a decision had been taken some time before not to continue works on minor schemes.
Would the Deputy repeat the question?
Is the Minister aware that I received a letter dated 19 May 1978 in which the Minister stated: "I refer to the recent request——"
Quotations are not in order during Question Time.
I can do it either this way or through a question on the Adjournment.
The Deputy has already asked his question.
Has a decision been taken not to proceed with works classed as minor catchment areas?
Priorities are set on both major and minor drainage schemes and Ministers may at any time change the list of priorities. There is no Act to say that the Minister must continue and follow schemes. I can change them at any time but so far I have not changed them.
I am not talking about changing priorities. I am asking if a decision has been taken by the Minister's Department in relation to minor schemes.
Any specific one?
Has any decision been taken in regard to minor drainage schemes——
Not to my knowledge.
If no changes have taken place since the original list was drawn up, whether in major or minor arterial drainage proposals, what was the outcome of the ongoing, long-drawn-out cost/benefit analysis which was given here seven or eight years ago as the reason why certain schemes had not then come to hand? Was the cost/benefit analysis ever completed? Or was it scrapped?
It is not scrapped. This is a separate question but I can change the priorities at any time if I have a good reason.
27.
asked the Minister for Finance if the Dunkellin River will be considered for arterial drainage; and, if so, when.
A scheme for the Dunkellin catchment is under preparation but I am not in a position to state when the preparation of the scheme will be completed.
Was there a cost/ benefit analysis done on that?
They are working on design at present.
Was a cost/benefit analysis done on it?
No.
Do you propose to do it?
There is a procedure to be followed and I shall comply with it.
Do you propose to have a cost benefit analysis carried out on the Dunkellin?
Yes, that is usual.
How long do you think that would take? When will it start? Can the Minister give me an answer?
I will. I should say that the slow progress is due to a shortage of engineering staff in relation to commitments.
Where is the shortage?
In the Office of Public Works. We advertised recently for 20 engineers and the number recruited was four. This is due, of course, to the building construction boom at the moment. I cannot get sufficient engineers.
There is a crowd of them in Galway—
If there is, they should apply for the job.
Would the Minister announce when he intends to start the cost benefit analysis on the Dunkellin River?
Is not that what I asked?
No, you asked if he would do it. I want to know will he give a date when he will start.
I cannot commit myself to any date.
You are dead right. Is it personnel of the Office of Public Works who carry out cost benefit analysis?
Yes.
Do you ever contract the job to outside agencies?
No.