asked the Minister for Finance if he can state the number of drainage schemes under the Drainage Maintenance Act, 1925, submitted to his Department by the County Councils of North and South Tipperary; which, if any, of these schemes have been approved by the Board of Works, and whether work has been started on any schemes approved.

Fifteen petitions have been received from County Tipperary under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, fourteen for the North Riding and one for the South Riding. Three of the former, the Nenagh, Newport, and Suir rivers, having been selected for early inspection, one of the Board's engineers proceeded to Nenagh for the purpose last week. A preliminary inspection has already been carried out on the Multeen River (S.R.) and a survey and valuation will be made of the district in due course.

So far, none of the proposals put forward under the Act has been approved, and even after such approval the preparation of the schemes and the various preliminaries which have to be gone through will take a considerable time, so that it is expected that little actual work will be started this year.

As regards proceedings in County Tipperary under the Drainage Maintenance Act, 1924, last year the Clidiagh drainage district was restored at a cost of approximately £1,200, of which sum the Government contributed 25 per cent.

Under the same Act sanction has also been given for the following proposed works of restoration:—

The latter two districts are situated partly in Co. Tipperary. These works will, it is hoped, be carried out this year. Two other districts in the county have been inspected and are at present under consideration.

Am I to understand that it is not likely that any drainage works under the 1925 Act will be carried out this year in Tipperary?

No, not very likely.

I would like to know from the Minister if that does not indicate unnecessary delay on the part of the Office of Public Works? Some of the schemes are very urgent.

It does not indicate undue delay.

Is the Minister in a position to state whether he will give more grants towards the carrying out of work under the 1924 Act?

All the work that can possibly be done under the 1924 Act will be done. Last year a very considerable amount of work was done; in fact, as many as 2,700 men were employed during the summer, and work will be continued on something like the same scale during the coming summer.

Could the Minister supply us with details connected with drainage schemes that are being carried out? There has been great delay.

The Deputy should refer to the Act.

Are we to infer from the Minister's reply that no work will be undertaken in any part of the country this year under the 1925 Act?

I would not go so far as that. Not a great deal of work can be carried out.

Does it usually take twelve to fifteen months from the time notice is served on the county council before any work is commenced?

I do not think I said anything that would entitle the Deputy to infer that. During the present summer not a great deal of work will be carried out, because of necessary delays in the preparation of schemes and in the arrangement of other formalities.

I know some schemes have been promulgated as far back as last September. Is there any likelihood that they will be carried out this year?

The Deputy will have to put down questions relative to particular schemes.