asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether any part of the sum of £256,003 17s. 1d. withheld from the Agricultural Grant to local authorities for the year ended 31st March, 1934, in respect of unpaid annuities has been made good to the local authorities; and if he will state the total amount of this sum now outstanding to each local authority; and whether he proposes to make good to these local authorities the whole, or any part of, the amounts during the current financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Grant and Unpaid Annuities.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the particulars are being prepared, and will be sent to the Deputy. As regards the third part, the Deputy is no doubt aware that the issue of the amount out of the Guarantee Fund is dependent upon the recovery of the arrears of annuities for the November-December, 1933 gale.
Will the Minister say whether it is the intention, if any part of the arrears of that gale have been paid, say by June of this year, and if they amount to so much, that they will be made available to the local authorities during the year?
I could not promise that they would be made available during the year. A promise was made long ago that these amounts would be made good to local authorities.