asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the plans he has for fishery harbour development works in Cork South-West during 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The programme for fishery harbour development works for 1985 for the country as a whole is being finalised at present on a priority basis and in the light of the funds available. Until the programme is finally settled, I cannot give the details sought. In addition to Schull harbour, where work is scheduled to commence this year, a number of smaller projects in the west Cork area are being considered.

Specifically in relation to Schull Harbour, can the Minister say if a certain amount of money has been allocated for this work and also what is the time scale for commencement and completion of the work?

The matters referred to by the Deputy are in the hands of the Office of Public Works. The money has been provided for this project and it will be included when I announce the overall scheme for the year for harbour development. I know that the Bord of Works are finalising arrangements to have the work commence as soon as possible.

Can the Minister give an approximate commencement date in respect of the work at Schull Pier and can he confirm a statement from Deputy Sheehan and another from the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and the same Deputy that £1 million will be spent on this project in 1985?

I will not give the Deputy a definite starting date simply because the people involved directly in this work are not in my Department. The Office of Public Works will decide when the work will commence but I hope the work will start by the middle of this year. I am confident that that will be the case.

How long will the scheme last?

It is a question of how long the money will last.

I would expect the work to be done over a two year period, 1985-86.

May we take it that mostly local people will be employed on the project?

That seems to be a separate question.

The work at Burtonport will be done first.

Can the Minister say also what the approximate employment content of the job will be?

That is a matter for the Office of Public Works. The suggestion is that the work will take two years to complete. Local Deputies know more than I about what is to be done down there. They will be aware of the kind of input that is needed so the employment content might be gauged from that.