(forMr. Norton) asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that acute distress exists in North County Dublin, and if he will state for what reasons he has declined to permit the Balrothery Rural District Council to put into force Section 13 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, for the relief of distress.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RELIEF OF DISTRESS (CO. DUBLIN).
I had two reports made to me on this matter recently and after very careful consideration I was satisfied that the circumstances would not justify the issue of an order under Section 13 of the Act of 1898.
What circumstances would justify it if acute poverty and distress owing to unemployment do not justify it?
In this particular case, I am not satisfied that the distress is really acute. In fact. I am inclined to believe that the main reason for trying to bring pressure on me to enforce this Act is that the local authority is anxious to make the relief of distress in that district a county-at-large rather than a district charge.
If the Minister receives a list of from five to six hundred people who are actually unemployed and have been unemployed for some time, and many of whom have families of from one to seven. Will he recognise that that connotes acute distress?
Is the Minister's belief that acute unemployment does not exist in this district due to reports from an Inspector of his Department? Is he aware that the inspector visited the district on two afternoons only and that during one, at least, of these periods exceptional relief was being given by the County Council? Is he aware that the County Council gave work for a limited period—not more than three weeks—which relieved unemployment, and will he have a further report made on present conditions?
I am aware that, at the time the Inspector made the last report, conditions were serious in the district, but the information we received from the Inspector was that in three weeks' time the situation would have been considerably relieved.
Will the Minister have inquiries made now from different classes of people, and from committees competent to understand the position in the district, to confirm or otherwise dispute the Inspector's report?
I will undertake to make further inquiries.