asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to pay the awards granted many persons in Kerry by the Shaw Commission Assessors; whether he is aware that very great hardship is inflicted on these persons through excessive delay in making these payments.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - CO. KERRY AWARDS.
SEAMUS O CRUADLAOICH
The Assessors or Investigators of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission do not grant awards, but merely report to the Commission their estimate of what should be awarded as fair and reasonable compensation for damage sustained. I am not aware that there has been any undue delay in discharging awards made by the Commission in favour of persons resident in the Co. Kerry. Awards have only recently started to come in in any number from the Commission in regard to Kerry, as it was for a long period impossible to send investigators into many parts of the county. Paying orders in respect of awards to the extent of nearly £20,000 have already been issued, and payment of a number of other awards, totalling a very considerable sum, is necessarily held up until the payees have discharged their arrears of income tax and other duties to the Saorstát.
SEAMUS O CRUADLAOICH
Is the Minister aware that decrees were made in cases in the County of Kerry five and six months ago, and these have not yet been paid.
If the Deputy will forward me the names of those cases in which awards have been made and payments held up, I will investigate them and see what is the cause of the delay, and if the matter is all right I will expedite payment as far as we are concerned.