asked the Minister for Energy if he will make available the limited funding needed for a further assessment of the Leinster coalfield with a view to early development of the resources and for the purpose of providing employment in an area already classified as disadvantaged.
Written Answers. - Coalfield Assessment.
99.
An assessment of the coal resources in the Irish coalfield areas, including the Leinster coalfield, was carried out in 1982 by consultants engaged by my Department. Prospecting licences were subsequently issued to exploration interests over most of the coalfield and substantial moneys have been expended by them on further investigation of the coalfield. Arising out of this work applications for lease facilities in portions of the coalfield in Counties Kilkenny and Laois have been received and these applications are being processed by my Department at present.
I would not consider a further assessment of the coalfield appropriate in the circumstances that the information provided by the 1982 assessment on the nature and extent of the coal resources there still holds good except in so far as it may be supplemented by information deriving from work conducted under the exploration licences issued in recent years. Such information is confidential to the licence holders, however, during the currency of the licences but it will be released for general information in the event of surrender of the licences.