To ask the Minister for Local Government whether twelve officials of the Listowel Union were deprived of their positions twelve months ago, whether their pensions were duly sanctioned by the Ministry, and why it is that for ten months past they have not received any pensions, and whether the Minister will be so good as to direct immediate payment of arrears, as many of them are too old for work and practically destitute; further, to ask the Minister whether the reason for non-payment of the pensions advanced by the Clerk of the Kerry County Home Committee was that the rates in North Kerry were not collected; if it is true that official returns show that 98 per cent. of the rate in North Kerry for the year ended March, 1921, was collected and lodged; if it is true that for official reasons the collection of the rates for the last financial year was suspended; if all the County Home Officials and Contractors have been paid up to 1st October last.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - EX-OFFICIALS, LISTOWEL UNION. QUESTION OF PENSIONS.
SEAMUS O CRUADHLAOICH
The officers referred to were retired owing to their offices having been abolished. Pensions were fixed by the local authorities and approved by the Ministry. The Ministry are not aware that these officers have not been paid, but if such is the fact a direction will be issued for immediate payment. As far as the Ministry is aware such reason was not assigned. Up to 18th July, 1922, 16 months after expiry of period, when communications were interrupted 98 per cent. of 1921 rate had not been collected in North Kerry. It is not the fact that for official reasons the collection of the March, 1922, rate was suspended; the suspension was due solely to the recalcitrance of the ratepayers in the area. All County Home Officials and Contractors have not been paid to 1st October last, as owing to non-collection of rates funds were not available. Some of the most pressing cases were paid from an instalment of withheld Grants.