asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that claims for compensation on account of malicious injuries in Co. Kildare, and especially in Athy district, have been allowed to remain unheard for a considerable length of time, to the serious embarrassment of the claimants, many of whom are being pressed for payment of rates and Land Commission annuities; if he will take steps to have such claims dealt with without further delay, and if he will issue instructions that pending the payment of awards, consideration may he given to claimants as regards meeting their obligations to the Land Commission and the local bodies.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CO. KILDARE COMPENSATION CLAIM.
The task of hearing applications for compensation for damage to property in the Counties of Carlow, Kildae, Wicklow and Wexford falls on one County Court Judge, who in addition to hearing compensation cases, has to attend to ordinary civil and criminal business. There has been no avoidable delay in hearing claims under the provisions of the Damage to Property (Compensation) Act, 1923, which I assume the Deputy has in mind; a large proportion of the claims arising in Carlow and Wicklow have already been heard.
I regret that I cannot see my way to ask the Departments concerned to take any step which might have a serious effect on the collection of arrears of local rates or sums due to the Exchequer.
Will the Minister consider the appointment of a Commissioner to hear claims? They have been delayed now for a very long time.
It is a matter I will look into, but I do not think it is very desirable to appoint Assistant County Court Judges if it can be avoided. It is not advisable to have new, inexperienced men dealing with cases of compensation if they can be dealt with by the existing County Court Judges.