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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Nov 1932

Vol. 45 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Relief Schemes.

asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that great poverty consequent on the fishing failure prevails on Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork; that two roads partly constructed by the Land Commission remain unfinished, and if steps will be taken towards the inspection of the roads in question with a view to completion and the consequent relief of unemployment.

The information at my disposal shows that there is a difficulty in finding suitable works on the Island of Cape Clear for execution under Minor Relief Schemes.

If the Deputy would suggest in writing anything outside roads and a pier wall, both of which have been considered, I would be very glad to go into the matter.

asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that repeated representations have been made to the Land Commission in favour of the completion of the Land Commission road at Behaugh, Dunmanway, Co. Cork, and if he can state whether this work will be now listed for completion.

A report on this scheme was furnished on the 10th October last and the work was placed on a draft list of Minor Relief Schemes for approval.

asked the Minister for Finance whether he will have the partly constructed Land Commission road at Ballybane, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, listed for early completion.

A report on this scheme was furnished on the 10th October last, and the work was placed on a draft list for approval.

asked the Minister for Finance whether the proposed small drainage scheme at Aughaville, Bantry, Co. Cork, has been inspected and when it is proposed to start the work.

This scheme was inspected on the 6th October, 1932, and was placed on a draft list for approval. May I add that at a quarter to five this afternoon I shall have the draft list in my office, with the official who is in charge of that particular Department, and the unemployment relief scheme for the whole of that area, so far as we have worked it out. I shall be very glad if any Cork Deputy will come down to the office and give me any assistance he can?

The Parliamentary Secretary states that these works have been placed on the list for approval? Can he state the approximate date on which work will be started on these schemes? That is the real point.

If Cork Deputies will accept the invitation I have given them, they will be in a position to answer that question much more fully than I would think necessary.

With all respect, the Parliamentary Secretary is evading my question. The Deputy has stated that these particular works have been placed upon a list. Can he give us the approximate date when the work will be started?

At the earliest possible date.

Is that all that the unofficial Minister for Employment can give us after seven months in office?

As one who is prepared to co-operate with the Parliamentary Secretary and to accept his invitation, may I ask what amount, if any, has been allocated to Cork City Borough or Cork County Borough by way of relief grants?

The Deputy will recognise that that is an entirely separate question. That information I am quite prepared to give the Deputy at any time but it does not arise on this question. I should like to ask the House to continue to exercise the restraint which it has exercised up to the present in the use of the Parliamentary Question so far as relief works are concerned. If every single relief work is going to be the subject of a Parliamentary Question, it is going to clog up the whole machine.

I suggest that the Parliamentary Secretary has invited this kind of question and if anybody has abused the privilege of the Parliamentary Question the Parliamentary Secretary has done so now. He has suggested that the Cork Deputies should meet him and that he will be prepared to give them any information they ask. I have asked a very simple question. I think that any Parliamentary Secretary—especially a Parliamentary Secretary like Deputy Flinn who represents the Borough of Cork —should be easily able to answer my question—what amount, if any, has been allocated out of the relief grant of £350,000 to Cork City Borough?

The Deputy's question does not arise on question 19.

It arises out of the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary.

If Deputy Anthony and the Cork Deputies are to see the Parliamentary Secretary in relation to relief works in Cork, might I suggest that, in all fairness to the Deputies for Cork, it would be advisable that they have a previous consultation with the Fianna Fáil Deputies from Mayo?

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