asked the Minister for Health if there has been undue delay in the payment of the health services grant to Clare County Council this year rendering overdraft accommodation necessary, and if he will take immediate steps to facilitate payment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare County Council's Health Services Grant
There has been no undue delay in the payment of the grants under the Health Services (Financial Provisions) Act, 1947, to Clare County Council.
A first instalment of £16,800 was paid in June, 1948, and a second instalment of £14,100, which would normally have been paid in December, was paid on the 18th January, within a few days of the receipt of information regarding certain items which were under inquiry with the local authority. A further instalment of £4,700 will be paid before the end of the financial year.
Is it not a fact that in the case of County Wexford the grants have not been paid to date and that that has been the general experience of county councils all over the country?
The Deputy has deserted Rathmines.
This is a question dealing with County Clare, not County Wexford.
It is a question of a bankrupt Exchequer.