asked the Minister for Local Government the date on which the application for a reconstruction grant made by a person (name supplied) was (a) inspected by his Department and (b) passed for payment; if the grant has yet been paid; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Reconstruction Grant.
21.
The house in question was inspected on 25th November, 1966. The estimate was subsequently re-examined and revised, and the grant was passed for payment on 20th January, 1967.
Payment of the grant is delayed by the inquiries which are being made in areas where there is evidence of an illegal no rates campaign.
(Cavan): That is the greatest nonsense.
Is the Minister not aware that this man was passed for payment before the question of the no rates campaign was mentioned and does the Minister consider it fair that the excuse that he might possibly be involved in a no rates campaign should be used in order to prevent somebody who should have been paid by the Minister's Department in November last, being paid? Is the Minister not aware that a guarantee has been given by the man that he is not involved in the no rates campaign and the only reason he has not paid is that he has not got the money because he paid the money to the contractor hoping to be paid by the Department?
I am not so aware, and I do not intend to make any special arrangements for my Department to expedite payment of grants to people who are not prepared to honour their commitments to the local authorities.
Does the Minister not agree that this man was passed for payment months before the question of the no rates campaign arose and that, therefore, it is unfair to use an argument like this? Or, is it a fact that the Department have not got the money?
This illegal campaign which the Deputy is defending was there prior to the time the Deputy mentioned.
The Minister is well aware that I am not defending any illegal campaign. I am simply saying that the man is due a sum of money and the Minister should see that he gets the money.
The local authority is due £108 in this case.
Mr. Tully
Yes, but the man is due £140.
(Cavan): Will the Minister, as is within his rights, deduct the amount of rates due and pay the balance?
I have not any such rights.
(Cavan): The Minister has.
If the Minister has not the power to pay the instalment he should seek it.
Perhaps, in due course.
The Minister has not any such money. If the Minister has not got the power then he is giving it away that he is doing this illegally.
(Interruptions.)
A person employed in Westmeath got away with, embezzled, £500 and got a gratuity and a pension.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 22 postponed.