asked the Minister for Finance to state what amounts of the moneys subscribed to the Dáil Eireann Loan, 1920-21 in the counties (a) Kilkenny, and (b) Carlow have not yet been refunded to the subscribers, and the reasons for the prolonged delay in dealing with applications from these counties, and whether he is taking any steps to expedite the return of these moneys.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REPAYMENT OF DAIL LOAN (KILKENNY AND CARLOW).
The compilation of the figures asked for in the first part of the Deputy's question would entail so much time and labour that I do not feel there is sufficient justification for undertaking it. As regards the second part, there has been no avoidable delay in dealing with applications from the two counties in question or from any other area. I can assure the Deputy that every possible step is being taken to expedite the repayment of subscriptions.
Does the Minister consider two years, a period which is quite common in dealing with these cases, a reasonable period, or does he expect us to believe that that can be termed a period of unavoidable delay? I think that at the very least, the House ought to have some assurance that this work should be concluded in a reasonable time.
If the Deputy will at his leisure read my reply to the previous question he will perhaps understand some of the difficulties and that the delay has been unavoidable.
I beg to ask the Minister for Finance whether he would consider the advisability of sending to the subscribers whose names, addresses and receipt numbers are on the books in the office, notification of the unclaimed sums lying to the credit of such subscribers? The reason I ask this question is that within the last three months I met a man who was going to destroy a receipt for £10. He did not know it was any value.
I am prepared to consider any suggestion for seeing that the money is returned to individuals, but I would not undertake to take any particular action without having an opportunity of considering whether it might possibly result in the wrong persons being paid. There is very great difficulty because sometimes there are more persons than one of the same name in a particular townland and the result might be that the wrong person would get the letter and ultimately the money. Great care has to be taken in the matter.