asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the North Strand victims of the bombing of May, 1941, have been served with forms and other documents to complete in connection with the claims for compensation, which request them to state whether they have received any grants or payments or advances from any source whatsoever, by whom the money was paid, the amount, and what was covered by the payment; if he will see that grants made to claimants from moneys subscribed by the public for the purpose of providing temporary relief during an emergency or moneys from other sources which were given to help the victims during that period, will not be taken into consideration when the Minister is deciding the compensation to be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation in North Strand Bombing Cases.
The document which the Deputy has in mind appears to be the form of application prescribed by the Neutrality (War Damage to Property) Act, 1941, (Form of Application) Regulations, 1941, which were made on the 27th September, 1941. It is the form in which every application for compensation must be made, irrespective of the area in which the injury occurred, and it contains the inquiries mentioned in the question. Grants of the kind referred to by the Deputy are not taken into consideration in making offers of compensation but this does not, of course, apply to advances made by the Dublin Corporation under Government authority which are in a different category.
What is meant by asking applicants to give particulars of grants received "from any source whatever?" Why ask for that?
The information is reasonably required.
Mr. Byrne
With what intention?
To find out what grants have been made and what the public have done in addition to what the Government have done.
Mr. Byrne
Is it proposed to take into consideration grants which have been made on account of mental agony and suffering? Surely the Minister does not want that put on the form.
We want particulars of any moneys received.
Mr. Byrne
Including money collected from the charitable public?
From any public organisation.