asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the amount of money spent on Barrow drainage maintenance work in the Counties Laoighis, Offaly and Kildare, in each of the financial years 1945-46, 1946-47 and 1947-48, showing the respective amounts contributed by each of the local authorities named.

According to the statutory annual reports furnished to the Commissioners of Public Works, the amounts expended on drainage maintenance works by the Barrow Drainage Board in each of the years 1945-6, 1946-7 and 1947-8 were £7,185, £7,276 and £8,827, respectively.

The County Councils of Laoighis, Offaly and Kildare are liable to contribute towards the cost of maintenance in the following decimal proportions, respectively:—

.3600074, .3005546 and .3394380.