asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that there is general complaint in the Dublin north-east constituency regarding the irregular supplies of fuel to voucher holders; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have adequate supplies forwarded to ensure that voucher holders get the supplies to which they are entitled and arrange for the establishment of fuel depots for the distribution of this fuel in the Donnycarney and Clontarf areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Fuel to Voucher Holders.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received any complaints concerning the fact that for a period of four weeks, persons entitled to a ration of turf on voucher from the New Street fuel dump under the control of the Dublin Board of Assistance, were unable to procure it, and if he will state what steps have been taken to ensure that persons dependent on such ration will not again be left without it.
I propose, with the consent of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The cheap fuel scheme in the Dublin area is operated by the Dublin Board of Assistance and they are responsible for the provision and distribution of fuel under that scheme. I understand that, due to transport and other difficulties during the recent inclement weather, supplies of turf to the Dublin depots have been irregular and that sufficient fuel was not available to meet all requirements. Special arrangements have been made, however, to provide sufficient fuel in the depots to meet all current demands and also to supply the arrears of fuel to voucher holders who were unable to obtain fuel during recent weeks. With regard to the latter part of Deputy Cowan's question, I am informed that efforts have been made by the Dublin Board of Assistance to establish depots in both Clontarf and Donnycarney, but it was found that the owners of suitable premises were not prepared to lease them for use as fuel depots.
Could I take it from the Minister's reply that the hold-up in the delivery of fuel to those depots, which has caused great hardship to the unfortunate poor in the City of Dublin, has been satisfactorily adjusted, and that there will not be any similar hold-up in future?
Is the Minister aware that up to last Friday similar conditions existed in regard to the New Street fuel dump?
I want to emphasise that the arrangements for getting and transporting this turf rest in the hands of the Dublin Board of Assistance. That is the body primarily responsible. I understand that the difficulties in the matter of procuring fuel were due to the appallingly inclement weather and the soggy condition of the bog on which the turf was dumped. These conditions were such that I understand it was impossible for the men even to attempt to load the turf, with the result that there was no turf delivered on these days. I understand that the Dublin Board of Assistance have now made arrangements which will enable them to obtain turf and at the same time make good the turf not supplied during the period of scarcity. Again, I should like to emphasise that the responsibility lies with the Dublin Board of Assistance.
Have any representations been made to the Minister by the Dublin Board of Assistance for the making available of more than one bog? I understand the complaint was that they were drawing from one bog only and for that reason the difficulties were increased.
We are doing everything possible to facilitate the Dublin Board of Assistance in the matter of procuring fuel. In fact, we are allowing the Dublin Board of Assistance to draw first-class machine-won turf from a special dump where it is ricked at Timahoe bog. The Dublin Board of Assistance will get every possible assistance both from my Department and from Bord na Móna.
Has the Minister received any complaints with regard to the wet nature of the turf, complaints similar to those received in the Cork area?
If it rains or snows on the bog, the turf is bound to get wet, even in Dublin or Cork, and there is no means of getting over that difficulty.