asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on (a) the question of further arterial drainage by the Office of Public Works in County Limerick; (b) the situation with regard to consideration at present being given to the inclusion of certain extensions to tributaries of the River Deel; if he will name the different extensions involved; the estimated cost of each proposal; the present Office of Public Works' workforce on arterial drainage in County Limerick; and their prospects of employment in the immediate and near future.
Written Answers. - County Limerick Arterial Drainage.
84.
Execution of further arterial drainage construction work in County Limerick is dependent upon the outcome of a review of arterial drainage. The review, which has been completed by the Commissioners of Public Works, is under consideration in my Department.
The Deel Catchment Drainage Scheme was completed in 1968 and operations on this river are statutorily confined to the maintenance of the scheme works. The question of the inclusion of extra channels in the Deel scheme does not, therefore, arise. 153 workers are employed on construction and maintenance of arterial drainage works in County Limerick. It is not possible at this stage to assess future prospects of employment on arterial drainage works in the county.