asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the office of Deputy Ranger of the Curragh is a sinecure post; whether the holder of same is paid an annual salary of £300, together with a residence provided out of public funds, which residence he has been in the habit of letting to military officers; and, if so, whether, taking into account the fact that the administration of the Curragh involves a loss to the taxpayers of the country, he will direct the abolition of said office; also, if the Turf Club, a reputedly wealthy corporation, should not, in view of the advantages afforded it, contribute an adequate yearly sum towards the expense of caretaking, etc.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DEPUTY RANGER OF THE CURRAGH.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Deputy Ranger of the Curragh performs important duties in connection with the management and preservation of State rights over the Curragh lands. He is paid an annual salary of £200 per annum, without bonus. Since 1910 he has had no official residence. Consequently no question of his letting such a residence now arises. There is at the present moment no intention to abolish the office of Deputy Ranger.
By his references to the advantages enjoyed by the Turf Club, I presume the Deputy intends those rights enjoyed by the Club under leases granted in accordance with the provisions of the Curragh Act of 1868. In accordance with the terms of those leases the Turf Club pays an annual rental, for details of which I must refer the Deputy to my previous answer on the subject in reply to a question addressed to me on the 21st ultimo. The rentals are fixed by the terms of the leases and the amounts can only be altered in accordance with them.
Arising out of the Minister's answer, may I ask if the Minister is aware that a most anomalous state of affairs exists with regard to the management of the Curragh, in that the Ranger, who is senior officer, has no control whatever over the Deputy Ranger, either as to appointment or the appointment of bailiffs, and that he is responsible for everything that the Deputy Ranger does. That, of course, is a most anomalous state of affairs, and I would like to know if the Minister will look into the matter and see that it is remedied.
I am not aware that the state of affairs is as the Deputy suggests, but I will look into the matter and see if it is.