I am calling Question No. 11.

11.

asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money being spent in this financial year on the drainage of the Boyle and Bonet rivers; and the number of staff employed.

(Clare): Expenditure on the Boyle and Bonet drainage schemes in 1982 will probably be of the order of £200,000. To date some 20 staff have been employed on these schemes.

Has the Minister a separate figure for expenditure on both of the schemes?

(Clare): For the current year?

Yes.

(Clare): Provision was made for the sum of £300,000 for the two schemes.

Only £200,000 will be spent.

(Clare): At the moment it looks like that.

What is the commitment for continuation of those drainage schemes in 1983?

(Clare): I cannot give that information to the Deputy at the moment because the Estimates are not finalised.

Having regard to the soundings coming from the Government at the moment it may happen that the drainage work on the schemes will be suspended in view of the fact that there is already a cut of 33 per cent in expenditure for this year.

(Clare): The Deputy referred to soundings. All I can say is that he is getting the wrong vibrations. There is no question of work being suspended in any way in the coming year.

I hope the Minister will take note of my submissions when expenditure for 1983 is being decided.