asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the flooding of the area to form the Poulaphouca Reservoir has caused great hardship for those living in the villages of Valleymount and Ballyknockan, County Wicklow and elsewhere in Valleymount parish; and that while those immediately concerned by the submerging of their land were compensated, account was not taken of the fact that the journey for most parishioners to the parish church, parochial house, school, post office and shops was trebled; and if action will be taken to alleviate the position by providing transport for parishioners to Mass on Sundays and holydays, for old age pensioners to collect their pensions and on other necessary occasions; or if as an alternative the Government will provide a fund to be administered by a responsible local body, such as the Valleymount Parish Council, to finance such a transport service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for Valleymount (Wicklow) Residents.
Any question relating to the submergence of roads or bridges under the Liffey Reservoir Act 1936 fell to be decided under the terms of that Act.
The Liffey works were completed some 25 years ago and I am not aware that great hardship was or is caused by them to residents of Valleymount and Ballyknockan.
Is the Minister aware that a deputation was received by one of the bodies under his Department who considered this matter and as a result gave an ex gratia payment to alleviate hardship to some extent? That being so, is the Minister not aware that great hardship has been caused?
As the Deputy remarks, there was a settlement in the form of an ex gratia payment in 1962. I have had no information since then that there is general discontent. At that time the Reverend Secretary of the Parish Council accepted the payment of the ex gratia sum as evidence that the ESB had done all they could in the matter.
Is the Minister not aware that representations were made to him to receive a deputation regarding this matter which the Minister passed on to his colleague, the Minister for Local Government? Or, perhaps I am wrong and it was vice versa, that it went first to the Department of Local Government and then to the Department of Transport and Power since the minute payment of £200 was made. In the circumstances, would the Minister not reconsider the suggestions made here or would he at least be prepared to receive a deputation to go into the matter more fully?
It is very unlikely that anything could be done at this stage, a settlement already having been effected by the ESB. If the council concerned will send me any information, and we suppose anything more can be done at this late stage, I shall gladly speak to the ESB. I could not give any great hope, 25 years after the Act was passed. I understand that the then Reverend Secretary was, in general, satisfied with the arrangement made.
The Minister has not dealt with the bus services.
There is an ample bus service there, for ordinary communications, on weekdays. CIE found that there did not seem to be much public demand for a bus service there on Sundays.
With the permission of the Chair, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.