asked the Minister for Finance if he will give the up-to-date position in relation to the dredging of the River Lee.

An engineering survey of the Lee (Tralee) Catchment Area has been carried out with a view to formulating a comprehensive drainage scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. However, I cannot say when works might be commenced.

As this area is badly in need of drainage, could the Minister give some indication of when dredging of the River Lee will start?

The River Lee is No. 19 on the priority list of minor catchments to be considered for treatment under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The River Bonet, which is No. 8, is the last minor scheme which has commenced. A survey has been carried out, but in view of its low priority on the list I could not give any indication of when work will start.

13.

asked the Minister for Finance the up-to-date position on the dredging of the Rivers Boyle and Bonet in Counties Sligo and Roscommon.

14.

asked the Minister for Finance the present position in relation to the drainage of the Boyle and Bonet rivers.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

Work on the Boyle and Bonet drainage schemes commenced on 5 July 1982. To date, approximately one kilometre of construction work has been completed on each scheme.

Funds have been provided in the 1983 Estimates to enable work on the scheme to continue.

What funds have been provided for the dredging of the Boyle and the Bonet this year?

There will be an allocation of £900,000 this year. There is a total of about 30 men employed on the scheme at present and, with the revised allocation, it is expected that this figure will more than double with a consequential increase in the work level on the two schemes.