De réir an Mheastacháin so, soláthróchthar £1,204,652. Caithfear furmhór de (£1,052,990) ar sheirbhísibh i gcóir sláinte an phobail. Tá gádh le £95,400 sa mbreis seachas an méad do caitheadh anuiridh ar son na seirbhís sin. Deóntaisí i gcóir tógála tighthe is eadh is mó atá fá ndeara breis airgid do bheith riachtanach. Is dócha go mbeidh gádh chomh maith le breis airgid ar son na seirbhís leighis speisialta atá luaidhte ins an Meastachán. Tá na seirbhísí so ag dul i méad ar fud na tíre agus do réir gach deallraimh is mór an dul ar aghaidh fós déanfar ins na bliadhantaibh atá romhainn amach chun feabhas do chur orra.
Tá mórán déanta le deich mbliadhain anuas chum réim foghanta i gcúrsaibh sláinte an phobhail do leagadh amach. O thús na bliadhna so chugainn, beidh Oifigeach um Sláinte an Phobail ag obair i ngach conndae agus soláthrochthar dhóibh sin gach a mbeidh riachtanach chum go mbeidh sé ar a gcumas sláinte na ndaoine do chosaint. Tiocfaidh linn feasta réim do chur ar bun i ngach conndae chun leanbhaí scoile do chur fá scrúdú dochtúra agus gach rud eile do dhéanamh a bheidh riachtanach chum galair do ruagadh, agus muinntir na tíre do chur ar a leas maidir le cúrsaí sláinte.
Níl aon chúis le bheith mí-shásta mar gheall ar shláinte an phobail fá láthair acht táim cinnte gur féidir feabhas mór do chur uirri fá réim cliste ealadhanta. Má deintear scrúdú ar statistic bheathadh agus bháis na ndaoine, is léir go bhfuiltear ag dul chun chinn go mór, mar atá sé le cruthú asta gur rugadh níos mó daoine agus gur cailleadh níos lugha díobha anuiridh ná athrú anuiridh. Ba lugha an ráta bháis ná in aon bhliain go dtí so a bhfuil statistic le fagháil mar gheall uirri.
Ins an mbliadhain 1933 cailleadh 65 naoidheanáin ar gach míle naoidheanán a rugadh. An bhliadhain 'na dhiadh sin, cailleadh 63 fá'n mhíle, agus is lughaidhe um 10 per cent. an uimhir sin ná an meadhon-uimhir ins na deich mbliadhantaibh roimhe sin (1924-1933). Ní misde a rádh gur ins na bailtibh amháin a thárla an laghdú ins an mbliain 1934. Ar na ceithre cathrachaibh is i mBaile Atha Cliath is mó' a tháinig an feabhas. Táim deimhneach gurb' iad na scéimeanna i gcóir máithreachais agus leas na leanbh atá fá ndeara an scéal do bheith amhlaidh. Do réir tuairime an dochtúra atá i bhfeidhl na hoibre sin, is iad na neithe so im' dhiaidh is mó atá freagarthach leis an bhfeabhas—(1) Teagasc i gcúrsaibh máithreachais fá'n scéim um leas na leanbh; (2) Iomad deagh-bhainne atá le fáil anois i gcóir naoidheanán; (3) An feabhas atá tagaithe ar thighthibh na ndaoine.
Is oth liom ámhthach a rádh nach bhfuil aon laghdú tagaithe fós ar uimhir na máthar a cailltear gach bliain le linn breithe cloinne dóibh i naimhdhéóin a bhfuiltear ag déanamh chum sláinte na máthar do chosaint. Tá gach dream ar aon intinn mar gheall ar an tairbhe atá ag dul do leanbhaibh as ucht an bainne a gheibheann siad gach lá fá'n deontas £90,000. Do bhí an scéim so i bhfeidhm i rith na bliadhna so caithte ar fud na tíre acht amháin i ndhá bhaile. Tugaim fá ndeara go bhfuil ughdaráis aitiúla ann a chaitheann furmhór de'n deontas i rith an tsamhraidh. Níl aon amhras ná gur mó an tairbhe do na leanbhaibh an bainne saor a bheith le fáil aca ins an geimhreadh nuair bhíonn an bainne daor agus gann, agus atáim ag iarradh ar lucht ughdarás áitiúla an t-airgead so do chaitheamh ins an t-slighe ar mhóide a leas.
Do bhí scrúdú leanbhaí scoile tré dochtúirí ar siubhal sa bhliain 1925 i nocht gconntae deag agus i gceithre cathracaibh, agus do cuireadh 80 per cent. de leanbhaibh scoile na tíre fá'n scrúdú sin. Leathnóchtar an scéim so ar fud na tíre go léir i mbliana. Do soláthruigheadh béilí scoile ag trí is dachad de lucht ceannais baile agus ag a sé cinn do choimisinéiribh baile. Do b'é meadhon uimhir na leanbhaí a tugadh na béilí dóibh go laetheamhail 24,047. Tugadh béilí go laetheamhail i 316 de scoileannaibh sa nGaedhealtacht comh maith agus do b'é meadhon-uimhir na leanbhaí do bhí ag freastail ar na scoileannaibh sin 17,717.
Táim ag iarradh breis £4,500 i gcóir leighis na heitinne. Táthar chum scéim leighis do chur ar bun i gConndae Longphuirt agus annsin beidh scéimeanna dá leithéid i ngach conndae agus i ngach cathair. Táthar taréis osbidéil speisíalta i gcóir na heitinne amháin do chur ar bun i bhfurmór díobh agus le déidheannaighe, d'osglaighead a leithéid d'osbidéilibh i Ráthdroma agus i gCathair Luimnighe.
Táthar ag dul ar aghaidh go maith leis na scéimeannaibh a bhí ann cheanna agus tháinig méadú beag ar an méad daoine tháinig futha anuiridh seachas an bhliain roimhe. Do b'ionann ráta báis do bhárr an ghalair so ins an dá bhliain. Má's rud é nach ndearnadh aon chéim ar aghaidh le ruagadh an ghalair ó n-ár measc, is é mo thuairim nach bhfuighfear luach saothair ár niarrachta go hiomlán go dtí go mbeidh a mhalairt de scéal ar fad againn maidir le cúrsaibh comhnuidhthe an phobail i gcoitcheannta. Mar adubhairt mé go minic cheana, is iad tighthe maithe bun agus bárr na seirbhísí i gcóir leas sláinte an phobail. Tá sé riachtanach orm mar sin iarradh ar an Dáil bheith fialmhar arís fá'n gceist so. Admhuighim gur ualach mór ar an bpobal é an t-airgead atá 'ghá éileamh agam chum tighthe nua do sholáthair acht ní mór do'n ghlún atá anois ann an t-ualach so do ghlacadh orra ar leas an ghluin a thiocfaidh 'na ndiaidh.
Thugas eolas cruinn do'n Dáil le déidheannaighe mar gheall ar thighthibh a tógtar le daoinibh priobháidheacha agus le cuideachtaí maitheasa puiblidhe. Mar sin, ní gádh dhom anois acht tagairt do dheanamh do na tighthibh atá 'ghá soláthar ag lucht ughdarás aitiúila. Go dtí deire Márta do tógadh 11,455 de thighthibh i mbailtibh agus i gcathrachaibh fá'n Acht do ritheadh sa bhliain 1932. Díobh san cuireadh 7,140 ar leathaoibh i gcóir daoine do bhí 'na gcomhnuidhe roimhe sin i dtighthibh ná raibh oireamhnach do'n chine daonna.
Tá oifigigh leighis na gCondae ag cur suime mór ins an scéal so agus bím féin ag tafaint gan staonadh ar lucht ughdarás aitiúila na droch-thighthe so do leagadh comh luath agus atá áit chomhnuidhthe eile réidh i gcóir na ndaoine do bhíodh ionnta. De ghnáth bíonn cíosanna ó leath-choróin go dtí ceithre scillinge (gan rátaí) le díol as tighthibh a tógtar i gcóir daoine mar sin agus socruighthear an cíos i dtreó is go mbeidh sé ar chumas na ndaoine an cíos atá leagtha amach do dhíol agus gan ualach ró-throm do leagadh ar ráthaibh na háite.
Bíonn ballaí stroighne agus slinnte stroighne ar fhurmhor de's na tighthibh seo. Atá ballaí saoirseachta i gcuid aca agus ballaí brící i gcuid eile agus atá slinnte nádúrtha ar chuid mhaith díobh. Táim toilteannach i gcomhnuidhe glacadh leis na rudai so muna mbíonn a luach go ró-árd. Ní mór a rádh amhthach go bhfuil breis ó £18 to £29 i gcóir ballaí agus ó £8 go £12 i gcóir ceann slinnte ins na tairiscínti tógála a fuair lucht ughdarás aitiúil le déidheannaighe. Nuair cuimhnighthear gur ionann £10 i luach tógála an tighe agus trí pingne sa mbreis ar feadh cúig bliain triochad, béidh sé léir do chách go gcaithimíd bheith socair i nár n-aignibh nach bhfuil aon dul as againn luach na dtighthe do laghdú an oiread agus is féidir linn chomh fada agus beidh obair mhaith agus ádhbhar maith ionnta.
Do cuireadh fiosrucháin speisialta ar bun ar fud na tíre chun deimhniú d'fhágháil ar an slighe 'na sheashamh na tighthe a raibh slinnte stroighne mar cinn orra i gcoinne doininn an gheimhridh. Is é toradh na bhfiosruchán sin gur sheas na slinnte go maith daingean i naimhdheóin na fearthainne agus na gaoithe. I dtrí áiteannaibh ámhthach, do deineadh tubaiste le linn na sneachta. Do b'é cúis an tubaiste sin ná nach raibh na slinnte go maith agus atáim sásta gur ceann tighe foghanta slinnte stroighne má's rud é go ndeintear na slinnte do réir na rialacha oifigeamhalla agus go leagtar iad ag ceárdaibh cliste.
Chuaidh costas tógála tighte i laighead anuiridh acht tá comharthaí ann go bhfuil sé ag dul beagán in aoirde arís. Go dtí deire Márta tógadh 5,837 de thighthibh sclábhuidhe fá'n Acht a ritheadh sa bhliain 1932. Bíonn cíos dhá scilling sa tseachtmhain nó mar sin ar na tighthibh sin.
B'é 6,500 meadhon-uimhir na bhfear a bhí ag obair ag tógála tighthe do lucht ughdarás aitiúila gach mhí i rith na bliana agus bhíodh timcheall 5,000 fear ag obair ag tógáil tighthe eile. Chomh maith leo sin, bíonn timcheall cúig míle eile ag obair ag deanamh ádhbhar tógála agus gléas tighthe.
Is maith liom a rádh go bhfuil feabhas mór tagaithe ar chursaibh airgid na n-ughdarás áitiúila toisc go bhfuiltear ag tabhairt níos mó aire do bhailiú an airgid atá ar dul dóibh. Do b'fearr an cor do bhí ar an scéal ag deire mí Nodlag ná a bhí ins an dá bhliain roimhe sin ag an am cheana. I rith ráithe deiridh na bliana so caithte, bailigheadh níos mí ná milliún púint do sraiteannaibh do bhí amuigh. Ag deire Mí Nodlag bhí 57 per cent. des na sraitheannaibh amuigh i gcompráid le 66 per cent. ag deire na bliana 1934 agus le 60 per cent. an bliain roimhe sin.
Ag deire Márta, 1936, bhí 28½ per cent. des na sraitheannaibh amuigh i gcomparáid le 31 per cent. an bhliain roimhe sin. I gconntae is fiche bhí an bailiúchán níos fearr ná mar a bhí sé an bliain roimhe sin; i gcúig conndaithe, bhí laghdhú beag san mbailiúchán, agus san gconntae eile ba bheag an difríocht a bhí ann.
This Estimate makes provision for a net expenditure of £1,204,652, of which a sum of £1,052,990 will be spent on social services. The provision for such services shows an increase of £95,400 as compared with the past year. The main increase under this head is in respect of grants for housing. I have on previous occasions made it clear that the provision of improved housing accommodation will necessitate increased demands upon the State for some years to come. Increased provision is also likely for the special medical services for which grants are provided in this Estimate. These services are expanding throughout the country, and I expect that in the next few years considerable progress will be made in bringing them up to a higher standard. During the past ten years a good deal has been done to lay the foundation of an up-to-date public health system. From the commencement of the present financial year the services of county medical officers of health will be available in every county. Under the direction and supervision of those officers there will be provided the requisite machinery for safeguarding the health of the community. Henceforward it will be possible in every county to institute measures for the medical inspection of school children, to establish maternity and child welfare arrangements, and generally to promote schemes of housing and sanitation and take such other measures as are necessary to combat disease and improve the health of the people.
The state of the public health is not unsatisfactory, but I feel that a considerable improvement can be effected under skilled medical guidance. The vital statistics of the year 1934 which are the latest available, indicate improved conditions as they disclose a rise in the birth-rate and a fall in the death-rate as compared with the preceding year. The number of deaths in 1934— 39,083—was 1,456 less than the number registered in 1933, and the deathrate—12.97 per 1,000 of the population —constitutes a new low record for this country. This is all the more encouraging in view of the fact that the incidence of mortality in this country has since 1927 shown a practically continuous downward trend, subject to some temporary setbacks. In comparison with the above-mentioned figure for 1934, it is to be noted that the average death-rate for the decade 1924-1933 was 14.39 per 1,000 of the population.
The order of greatest incidence in regard to mortality for the year 1934, as disclosed by the standardised death-rates per 1,000 of the population was as follows:—Cork County Borough (17.98), Dublin County Borough (17.03), Limerick County Borough (16.49), Dublin County (15.87), Waterford County Borough (15.60), Louth County (14.65), and Wexford County (14.13). The lowest standardised death-rates were recorded in the following counties:— Mayo (10.14), Clare (10.39), Leitrim (10.73), Roscommon (11.22), Donegal (11.44), Sligo (11.51), and Cavan (11.60).
The infant death-rate in the year 1933 was 65 per 1,000 births. For the year 1934, the rate was 63 per 1,000 births for the whole country, which is 31 per cent. lower than the average rate for the ten years, 1901-10, and almost 10 per cent. lower than the average rate for the decennial period from 1924 to 1933. The improvement in the year 1934 as compared with 1933 was entirely in the urban areas, the respective rates for the urban and rural areas being 78 per 1,000 births in the urban, and 55 in the rural areas. Of the four county boroughs, Dublin City shows the greatest improvement since 1931. In that year the rate of infant mortality was 94 per 1,000 births as against 80 for the year 1934. It has to be borne in mind that the boundaries of the city were enlarged in 1931, and it is not possible to say to what extent that extension may have contributed to a lowering of the death-rate. I am satisfied that a good deal is due to the work of the maternity and child welfare service in the city which has developed very much in the past few years. The medical officer in charge of the scheme, in his report for the year 1934, expressed the opinion that the principal factors which contributed to the improved conditions were: (1) Educative propaganda in mother-craft under the child welfare scheme; (2) the large quantity of good quality milk now available for infant feeding; (3) improved housing conditions.
Up to recent years, public health as a subject was not much considered, and, therefore, not much attention given to and very little advantage taken of measures which are conducive to public welfare, especially those connected with child welfare and safeguarding the health of mothers during pregnancy and confinement. Much valuable work has been done by health visitors under child welfare schemes to induce mothers with children requiring treatment to avail of the services afforded under the schemes, and the increased attendances at welfare centres in the large centres of population are evidence that the services provided are being more fully availed of.
In Dublin, there were 20,198 mothers and 32,747 children on the visitation registers at the commencement of 1935 and 4,390 additional mothers and 16,829 children were added in the course of the year, making the total numbers dealt with under the scheme 24,588 mothers and 49,576 children. The attendances at the babies' clubs comprised 39,038 in respect of mothers and 45,194 in respect of children. The aggregate number of visits paid by health visitors to mothers and children in their homes during the year was 218,145. In the Cork, Limerick and Waterford County Borough scheme, there were 3,920, 2,672 and 1,157 mothers dealt with during the year 1935, whilst the numbers of children treated were 5,213, 5,868 and 2,295 respectively. The number of visits to mothers and children in their homes in these districts during 1935 were 13,508, 9,499 and 6,203.
The increased attention which has been devoted in recent years to safeguarding the health of mothers has not, however, succeeded in reducing the death-rate for maternal mortality. The chief factor affecting maternal mortality is puerperal sepsis and 104 deaths were attributed to that cause in 1934 as compared with 80 in 1933. The increase in mortality was common to both urban and rural areas. In one urban district, the death-rate reached as high as 10.03 per 1,000 births, but this was due to an epidemic which originated from the admission to the maternity ward in the county hospital of an expectant mother who was subsequently found to be suffering from a mild attack of scarlet fever. The county medical officer of health took active steps to combat the outbreak and with the co-operation of the local medical practitioners the disease was arrested. The outbreak resulted in six deaths.
The aggregate death-rate in urban areas from all puerperal conditions was 3.71 per 1,000 births in 1934, as compared with 3.19 in 1933, while the aggregate death-rate in rural areas was 5.25 per 1,000 births in the year 1934 as against 5.17 in 1933. The problem is a difficult one, and is common to most countries. It is in the fuller development of our hospital system, and in the provision of greater facilities for prenatal and post-natal care that we can hope to bring about a decided improvement.
Many reports continue to be received on the benefits derived by young children from a daily ration of milk provided under the grant of £90,000. The approved schemes for the distribution of free milk were administered during the past financial year by the sanitary authorities with the exception of two urban areas. There has been a tendency on the part of some authorities to spend the greater proportion of the grant allocated to them in the summer months. A supply of free milk is of greater value in the winter period, when milk is scarcer and dearer, and local authorities are being asked to secure the best results possible in the administration of the grant.
The conditions embodied in the free milk supply scheme as regards preference for tuberculin-tested milk, frequent inspection of milk contractors' premises, dairy cattle and methods of milk production, and the carrying out of tests for cleanliness and quality of the milk have had a very beneficial effect in educating milk producers as regards the necessity for improvement in their methods of handling and distributing milk. It has also educated public opinion as to the desirability of obtaining a purer and better milk supply, and has, therefore, prepared the way for the operation of the legislation recently passed. Regulations under the Milk and Dairies Act, 1935, are being prepared, and I hope to be in a position shortly to fix the appointed day bringing into operation the major portion of the Act.
Approved school medical inspection schemes were in operation in 1935 in the four county boroughs and 18 counties. The number of school children who came within the ambit of the schemes represented over 80 per cent. of the elementary school-going population. The extension of this service to the whole country will be completed in the present year. The number of school children inspected in 1934 was 114,087. The following defects were ascertained: Dental, 36,786; tonsils and adenoids, 23,514; defective vision and other eye defects, 17,459. The number of children treated for dental defects were 35,183; for tonsils and adenoids, 5,943 and for defective vision, 8,788. The schemes are developing along satisfactory lines and are proving of great value to the school-going population by removing many defects which would otherwise remain unattended to.
School meals were provided by 43 urban authorities and 6 town commissioners. The average daily number of children provided with meals was 24,047, and the total number of meals supplied was 4,275,169. In the Gaeltacht meals were provided in 316 schools and the average daily number of children in attendance was 17,717. The total number of meals provided was 3,003,985.
For the treatment of tuberculosis an additional provision of £4,500 is required. A scheme is about to be started in Longford County. There will then be in every county and county borough approved arrangements for the domiciliary and institutional treatment of the disease. Extended facilities for treatment have been made available by the establishment of local sanatoria in most of the counties and county boroughs. New institutions have been opened recently in Limerick City and at Rathdrum.
The existing schemes are being administered satisfactorily. The number of cases treated during 1934 was slightly greater than the previous year. The rate of mortality was the same for both years, being 1.17 per 1,000 of the population. The progress made in combating the disease seems to be slowing up, and I am inclined to the view that full benefit from the expenditure on tuberculosis and other public health services will not be derived until a radical improvement has been brought about in housing conditions. As I have said on previous occasions, good housing is at the foundation of all the social services. It is well, therefore, that this Estimate includes a generous provision for the furtherance of housing schemes in the present year. There is a heavy financial obligation being incurred, but it is a burden that the present generation should willingly bear for the benefit of the generation to follow. It is essential, too, that increased attention be given to sanitary improvements. In this respect progress was well maintained in the carrying out of public health works. Grants amounting to approximately £100,000 were allocated for water supplies and sewerage schemes. Loans advanced for the carrying out of such schemes amounted to £214,000.
In the recent discussion of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, I gave full particulars of the progress made in the erection of houses by private persons and public utility societies. I will now deal with building by local authorities. The number of houses built up to the end of March last, under the 1932 Act in urban areas was 11,455, of which 4,099 were completed during the previous 12 months. Of the total number completed, 7,140 were for the rehousing of persons removed from clearance areas or from houses unfit for human habitation. The total number built by the Dublin Corporation was 3,573, of which 1,244 were for rehousing. Cork Corporation built 646, of which 507 were for rehousing. Dun Laoghaire Corporation built 403, of which 339 were for rehousing. Limerick Corporation built 412, of which 405 were for rehousing, and Waterford built 300, of which 194 were for rehousing.
Considerable progress has been made by urban authorities in connection with the clearance of unhealthy areas and the demolition of unfit houses. Up to date, 3,564 houses have actually been demolished, and the number in respect of which clearance orders or demolition orders have been made is approximately 5,000. The county medical officers of health are taking a keen interest in the elimination of the slums and unfit houses, and the necessity for ensuring that all unfit houses are demolished as soon as alternative accommodation is provided for the occupants, is being continually impressed on local authorities. The rents charged for houses provided for rehousing usually range from 2/6 to 4/- per week, exclusive of rates. Careful consideration is given in all cases to the fixing of rents so as to ensure that the weekly payments will be within the means of the prospective tenants and at the same time secure that an undue burden will not fall on the rates. The houses provided for persons who cannot pay the full economic rent are generally let at 5/6 to 7/6 per week. In Dublin, rents are usually at the rate of 2/6 per room.
The form of construction used is generally concrete walling with concrete tiled roofs. In certain cases masonry and brick walling have been approved, and native slates have, in a number of cases, been used. I am always prepared to approve of the use of brick, stone or slates, where the prices quoted can be regarded as reasonable. In recent tenders received by local authorities, the extra cost for brick walling averaged £18 to £29 per house, and the extra cost for slated roofs was £8 to £12 per house. When it is remembered that every £10 of capital cost per house means a weekly charge of 3d. over the loan period of 35 years, the necessity for ensuring that building costs are reduced to a minimum consistent with durability and good workmanship will be apparent.
Special reports have been obtained in all areas showing the effect of the recent severe winter storms on houses roofed with concrete tiles. It has been found that the roofs satisfactorily withstood the rain and wind storms. In the case of three schemes, serious damage was reported as the result of snow blizzards. These cases have been specially examined, and it has been ascertained that the damage was caused by defective tiling. I am satisfied that concrete tiles, when manufactured in accordance with the official specification and fitted by competent tradesmen, make a satisfactory roof covering.
Building costs for 1935 were lower than in previous years, but recent tenders received in a number of areas show an upward tendency of from 5 to 10 per cent. on 1935 figures. The number of labourers' cottages built under the 1932 Act up to the end of March was 5,837, of which 2,091 were built during the previous 12 months. These are being let at about 2/- a week. The number of men employed on schemes promoted by local authorities averaged 6,500 per month. On houses that are being built and reconstructed by private persons and public utility societies, employment is being afforded to about 5,000 men, making approximately 11,500 men directly employed on house-building. About 5,000 additional men are employed in the manufacture and preparation of building materials and appliances.
Increased provision has been made in the Estimate for the cultivation of allotments. There is likely to be a considerable increase in the number of plots to be provided during the 1936 season. To date schemes have been confirmed in 58 centres, embracing 4,000 allotments. The total number to be cultivated will be about 6,000. The general increase in the activities of local authorities under the Allotments Act may be attributed to the increased publicity afforded the schemes by the Press and local agencies, and also to a keener interest by unemployed persons in work of this kind.
For the financial year just commenced increased provision has been made by county councils for road maintenance. The amount to be raised for the maintenance of main roads is £845,357, being an increase of £10,749 over the amount provided last year. The amount to be raised for county roads is £686,676, which is in excess of last year's provision by a sum of £4,181. There is also an increased provision of £34,985 for the surface dressing of main and county roads. I am glad to say there has been no falling off in the attention that is being given by local authorities and their staffs to this important branch of the public services. Throughout the year there was close co-operation with the Department to secure the maximum value for the expenditure incurred from rates and grants. The condition of streets in towns has been receiving special consideration, grants having been made in a number of cases. This matter is being pursued and reports are being prepared as a guide in the allocation of future grants. The receipts from motor vehicle duties for the year ended 31st March, 1936, amounted to £1,000,000 as compared with £942,000 for the previous year. Road grants allocated last year totalled £766,000, and it is expected that grants of a similar amount will be made during the current financial year. During the past year further regulations were made under the Road Traffic Act, 1933. These regulations, entitled the Large Public Service Vehicles Regulations, 1935, are applied to large public service vehicles in addition to the regulations made in 1934 as to construction, equipment and use of all mechanically propelled vehicles. The 1935 regulations deal with a variety of matters such as the calculation of passenger accommodation, the size, stability, turning circle, springs, brakes, steering mechanism, tyres, steps, entrances, seats, internal lighting, ventilation, etc., of large public service vehicles. The regulations deal also with the equipment of such vehicles and require them to carry first aid dressings and fire extinguishers. Court clerks notified the Department of 125 cases of disqualifications or other endorsements under the driving licence provisions of the Act during the past year. The notifications were duly circulated to the licensing authorities. Under the compulsory insurance clauses of the Act there were only three cases during the year of specific complaint as to refusals by companies except on onerous terms. In two of these the Department took the matter up with the companies concerned and a reasonable settlement was arrived at. In the third case the complainant dropped the matter.
There has been a general improvement in the financial position of the county councils due to a better collection of their revenues. At the end of the December quarter the position of the rate collection showed an improved position as compared with the preceding two years. In the months of October, November and December the outstanding rates were reduced by over £1,000,000, and at the end of December 57 per cent. of the rates was outstanding as compared with 66 per cent. at December, 1934, and 60 per cent. at December, 1933. At the end of March, 1936, the percentage outstanding was reduced to 28½ per cent. as compared with 31 per cent. outstanding at March, 1935, and 36 per cent. for the year before. In 21 counties the collection was better than in the previous year, in five counties there was a slight falling off, and in the remaining county the proportion outstanding was much the same as the previous year.
Preliminary steps for the preparation of planning schemes were taken during the year by the Corporation of Dublin; the Corporations of Clonmel, Dun Laoghaire, Sligo and Wexford; by the councils of the urban districts of Arklow, Bray, Ennis, Galway, Howth and Killarney, and the councils of the Counties of Dublin and Waterford. With the exception of these areas there appears to be a lack of interest in planning. Useful discussions on the subject have taken place amongst the professional associations, and the prominence which has been given in the Press to the matter helps materially to bring about increased interest in and a better appreciation of the public advantages to be derived from a careful planning of the growth of our towns. The preparation of a planning scheme is a slow process. The social and economic conditions of the district to be planned have to be carefully surveyed and careful forecasts made of future development. Consultations between the planning authority and the owners of land and others interested in development will be necessary so that the planning scheme may secure as full a measure of agreement as is possible.
A large measure of control follows upon the passing of a resolution deciding to make a planning scheme. The planning authority has from that time the power to grant permission for works to proceed, or it may prohibit any particular work which would be likely to contravene any of the provisions which it is intended to embody in the scheme. Only in two cases of special prohibitions have appeals been made to me. In one of these the prohibition, not being validly made, was inoperative. The other case, which is concerned with the prohibition of the inclusion of a shop in the plans for the reconstruction of a house in a public square, is at present being investigated. The small number of appeals would indicate that a considerable measure of agreement is being secured. In Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire Borough a good deal of necessary control over development has been secured since the passing of resolutions deciding to make planning schemes with the assent of those engaged in constructional works.
