asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that serious embarrassment is being caused to farmers and others in County Kildare who have been awarded compensation for malicious injuries by reason of the delay in paying the amounts for which decrees have been given; and if he will direct that the liability of the State to these persons be discharged forthwith.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PAYMENT OF MALICIOUS INJURY AWARDS (CO. KILDARE).
There has been no avoidable delay so far as my Department is concerned in paying compensation awarded for injuries to property situated in Co. Kildare between 11th July, 1921, and 12th May, 1923. The number of decrees and reports received up to the present is 67. Of these, 44 have been paid, and the necessary inquiries are being made regarding the others.
Is the Minister aware that, in the case of farmers, a great number of them are paying interest to banks pending payment of compensation?
I can only say that there has been no delay on our part. There was considerable delay in hearing cases, and we received none of them until the month of January. Of the number we received, 67, more than two-thirds have been already paid.