Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Jul 1992

Vol. 133 No. 15

Adjournment Matter. - Matters of Concern to Members.

Mr. Fitzgerald

I request the Minister for the Gaeltacht to ask Údarás na Gaeltachta to carry out a feasibility study with a view to establishing an industry in Lis-pole, County Kerry, for the cleaning and combing of wool. As a young lad I often went with my grandmother to a place called Flemingstown in the parish of Lis-pole where I was born. This is near Dingle where the cleaning and combing of wool was carried out. This little industry ceased to operate some time in the late forties after World War II and I am now proposing the re-establishment of this industry in west Kerry.

In 1991 £12 million worth of wool was exported out of Ireland which was not combed — in other words £12 million worth of wool was exported in the fleece in a raw state. With that amount of wool being exported there has to be a place for the industry which I am proposing. Údarás na Gaeltachta should be the promoter of this industry and sheep farmers could then invest by way of shares. I cannot understand why over the years, millions of pounds worth of wool have gone out of Ireland in a raw state, that is in the fleece, untreated. By cleaning, combing and carding the wool there would be an added value which would be of immense benefit to the sheep farmer, the economy and the creation of much needed jobs, particularly at this time.

If such an industry was set up it could also be a major tourist attraction whereby tourists could see the sheep being shorn, the cleansing and combing of the wool and then the traditional spinning wheel making it into yarn and the eventual knitting of pure Irish handmade woollen garments which the tourists could buy on the spot. The market for pure Irish wool garments is endless and, considering the success of other Irish products abroad such as Kerrygold butter and many others, it would indeed make you proud of your country.

Certainly at this time there cannot be any shortage of wool as our sheep population has grown to huge numbers. I am, therefore, now asking the Tánaiste and Minister for the Gaeltacht to ask Údarás na Gaeltachta to carry out such a feasibility study and consult with sheep farmers and farming organisations. The time for talk is over; what I want is action. Irish wool products in the future could become one of our greatest industries, creating many permanent, much needed jobs.

Mr. Neville

I would like to refer to the need for extra funding for the St. Paul's centre for cerebral palsy in Dooradoyle, Limerick. There is need for funding of an extra £27,000 through the health board and I would ask the Minister for Health to provide that money for St. Paul's. St. Paul's centre incorporates a sheltered workshop for 14 physically handicapped young adults and a child therapy unit for developmentally delayed children up to five years old.

The centre opened in 1988 on a three day week basis, with six clients. In September 1991 there were 14 clients and the centre operated on a four day week basis. Clients cannot attend other centres because of the severity of their disabilities. In September 1989 the centre purchased a minibus and converted it for wheelchairs at a cost of more than £20,000. This money was raised from intensive local fundraising. Clients travel daily from Limerick city and county and counties Clare and Tipperary. Door to door transport is provided for 11 of these clients. The cost per week per person is £95 of which £38 or approximately 35 per cent of the total cost, is paid by the MidWestern Health Board. The people attending the centre are taught invaluable skills such as independence training adult literacy, computer literacy, cookery and self-help. This excellent service cannot be maintained on this year's allocation of just £21,000. Audited accounts are available to show that this grant does not even cover the salaries of the staff employed at the centre. I request the Minister to immediately provide £27,000, the sum required to maintain services at their existing level.

The centre also incorporates a child therapy unit where 16 children under five years of age receive physiotherapy and occupational therapy under the direction of a consultant paediatricion. Intensive therapy is vital to developmentally delayed children if they are to reach their full potential, and the cost of this service is £10,000. I ask the Minister to please give every consideration to this funding to allow St. Paul's centre to carry out their excellent work, which they do so well.

Mr. R. Kiely

I request the Minister for the Environment to instruct Cork County Council to repair the damage caused by them to a roadway at Bunmona, Milford, Charleville, County Cork. I raised this matter on the Adjournment previously and the Minister for the Environment replied to it. The roadway in question is on the Limerick-Cork border, the link road between Charleville and Drum-collogher. It is a narrow road used by Golden Vale milk lorries. A good friend of mine who lives on this road, a native of Dingle, who is also known to Senator Tom Fitzgerald, witnessed the wall of his house being damaged by a lorry when the road subsided as the lorry pulled over to allow a car to pass. The county council filled in the roadway temporarily and a fortnight later told the owner that if he had no objection they would complete the work. The overseer said that if the man objected he might lose his job by doing the work, which was not true. The county council then dug up the roadway again, took away the stones and left it at that stage.

I understand there was political interference in this matter. As the man in question is a Fianna Fáil supporter the local Fine Gael people asked their local representative, who is a Deputy — I will not mention him — to request that the work be undone. It was my understanding that the council would repair the damage. This man has gone to the expense of employing a solicitor to intervene to have the damage repaired. I ask the Minister for the Environment to instruct Cork County Council to ensure that the roadway in front of this man's house is restored to perfect condition.

The Seanad adjourned at 10.30 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 9 July 1992.