asked the Minister for Finance whether he can state the total amount of subscriptions towards the Dáil Loan (Internal), 1919-20, received from South Sligo, the number of persons from this area who have applied for a refund of their subscriptions, and the amount refunded to date, and if he can state when the remaining applications will be dealt with.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dáil Internal Loan.
The aggregate amount received in the Department of Finance of Dáil Eireann in respect of subscriptions to the Dáil Eireann (Internal) Loan, 1919-1920, by persons resident in the former Parliamentary constituency of South Sligo was £3,747. The form in which the records of the Department are kept is such that the preparation of the rest of the information asked for in the Deputy's question would entail an amount of labour on the part of the staff concerned, which would not, in my opinion, be justified. Applications which have not yet been disposed of will be dealt with as expeditiously as circumstances permit.
Is the Minister aware that lists have been submitted from a number of parishes in the old Parliamentary constituency of South Sligo giving the names of persons who subscribed to the Dáil Loan of 1919-20, and that these lists have been vouched for by the collectors? Will the Minister be prepared to consider these applications when refunding subscriptions?
As far as I remember I think there would have to be individual applications by subscribers. I understand there was a notice issued by the Department of Finance stating that such applications for repayment must be in by, I think, the 30th of the present month. I think the subscribers must apply individually.
Are we to take it as definite, that no applications for a refund of subscriptions to the Dáil Loan will be entertained unless individual applications are made by the subscribers themselves? In other words, are we to take it that lists submitted from different parishes containing the names of subscribers will not be considered, that the Department will only consider individual applications of subscribers?
I think the Department must have individual applications, but, of course, I am speaking subject to correction by the Minister for Finance. To the best of my knowledge there must be individual applications.
I would like to point out to the Minister that the notice which appeared in the Press has not been read by, or has not reached a number of subscribers and as a result a number of those who subscribed to the loan will not be in a position to make application in the time allotted. Is he aware that as a result very great hardships will be imposed on those who subscribed and who have not received a refund of their money? I would like to know if the Minister is prepared to extend the period in cases where claims have already been forwarded to the Department in lists supplied from the various parishes? Will he be prepared to accept this as notice in connection with their subscriptions in accordance with the terms of the advertisement and will he allow the claimants another month to make individual applications?
Speaking to the best of my knowledge, the closing date was fixed first of all in the year 1925 and has been extended to the 30th of the present month. Anybody who had already made an individual application does not need to apply again. I cannot say on behalf of the Minister for Finance whether he would be prepared to extend that period. There has already been an extension for a period of three years to the 30th of the present month. I think, seeing that the matter has received the publicity that it has and that these people have already sent in their names on lists, it should be possible for them to make individual applications to the Department even before the 30th of this month.
Would the Minister for Defence make representations to the Minister for Finance to extend the period in cases of the kind I have mentioned?
I will convey what the Deputy has stated.
Is the Minister aware of the great dissatisfaction that there is all over the country, due to the fact that these loans have not been repaid? Is he also aware that this money was given without any hope of repayment, and, in view of that fact, will he not see that they are repaid? I have a bag full of cards belonging to people—one individual received as many as fifteen cards— stating that their cases will be attended to. I think that is very unfair, and I think the Minister must admit, in view of the manner in which this loan was paid in the first instance by these people, that it is a very ungracious way to treat them, and that such should not be expected from any Government.