asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the acute shortage of fuel in parts of East Clare, and of the difficulty people in this district have in procuring supplies of coal owing to the falling off in coal imports and the high cost of this form of fuel; and, if so, if he will instruct the Board of Works to carry out the necessary works in Bounabinna Bog, electoral division of Mount Ivers, rural district of Meelick, with a view to enabling the holders on this bog to provide themselves with sufficient quantities of peat.

I am advised that, generally speaking, the turf crop saved in County Clare last season was very plentiful, and I am not aware that any scarcity has since arisen.

If the Deputy will submit particulars of the works he has in mind, however, they will be examined, and, if found suitable, will be considered in connection with future employment schemes programme, in the light of the unemployment position in the area.