asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he has received from the Clare County Council a resolution viewing with grave concern the acute distress in many districts in Clare, and requesting him to take steps to relieve such distress; if he has considered the resolution in the light of the heavy drain upon Home Assistance in the county; if he has asked for any reports from the official of his Department in respect to this distress, and if, in view of the extreme urgency of the situation, he will have the matter immediately investigated.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DISTRESS IN CLARE.
The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. I have gone into the whole position very carefully, and I am unable to accept that the position is abnormal.
Mr. HOGAN
Can the Minister say what investigations he has made, whether he has investigated the distress that exists in Kilrush and Ennis? Has he acquainted himself with the position of those who were drawing home assistance in other small towns in the county, and will he indicate how he has come to the conclusion that there is no distress of an abnormal character prevailing in these districts in the Co. Clare.
The amount of money distributed in home assistance this year is something over £2,000 less than was distributed last year, while the number registered at the Unemployment Exchanges is considerably less this year than last year.
Is that the evidence that the Minister forms his judgment upon?
It is part of the evidence.
Will the Minister give us the remaining part?
I have not had any reports that would indicate that there was distress of an exceptional nature in these districts. Of course there is always a certain amount of distress in the towns on the western sea-board.
Would the Minister say whether this great decrease in home assistance took place immediately after the last county council elections. Was it the change in the personnel of the councils that brought about the decrease?
I cannot say that.
Mr. HOGAN
Has the Minister communicated his repudiation of their resolution to the Clare County Council pointing out to them that they, the elected representatives of the people, cognisant of the distress that prevails in the various districts, were entirely inaccurate in their statement, and asking them to review the position in the light of the information which he alleges he has in his possession?
I have not so far communicated that to the county council.