Edward Nealon
Ceist:87 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Finance if, since the introduction of the arterial drainage legislation, any catchment area has been rejected for arterial drainage as a result of the findings of a cost-benefit analysis.
Written Answers. - Arterial Drainage.
Since the formal introduction of cost benefit analysis of arterial drainage schemes in 1970, one scheme, the Finn Lacky, which was selected for consideration under the E.C. sponsored Cross-Border drainage programme, was rejected by the Irish and British Governments on economic grounds.
Prior to the introduction of formal cost benefit analysis, the best available economic indicator of the merit of a drainage scheme was the estimated increase in market values of benefitting lands, and these are still used to scale the projects. Using this method, four schemes were rejected as being uneconomic. These were the Erne, the Cahore, the Quin and the Owenkeagh.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:88 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Finance if, during the time that grants were available from the EC for arterial drainage, the availability of these grants and the consequent lesser demand on Exchequer moneys was taken into account in calculations for cost benefit analysis.
The source of funding of arterial drainage, or any project, is not a proper criterion to be taken into account in the carrying out of cost benefit analysis. Consequently, the availability or otherwise of EC funds was not considered as a factor in the preparation of cost benefit analysis for arterial drainage schemes.
EC grants are no longer available for such schemes.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:89 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Finance the arterial drainage works, other than maintenance works which are now being carried out by the Office of Public Works; the total number of people employed on these works; the estimated time of completion of these works; and the estimated total cost of completing these works.
There are two arterial drainage schemes still at construction stage: (a) the Monaghan Blackwater which is due for completion before the end of the year at a total cost of £19.5 million; there are at present 56 operatives employed thereon; (b) the Boyle which is about 71 per cent complete and could take up to two further years to finish. The total updated estimated cost of this scheme is £21.75 million; there are 85 operatives engaged thereon.
Costs on the Boyle scheme are currently running ahead of budget and consideration is being given to the actions required to overcome this problem. This may lead to curtailment of the scheme and consequently to an earlier cessation of work.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:90 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Finance if a decision has been taken to carry out arterial drainage work on any new catchment area in which work has not yet been started.
No decision has been taken to carry out any new arterial drainage scheme.