asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will state the reason for the appointment, by sealed order, of an official of the Department in charge of the roads in the Balrothery area of Co. Dublin; if he will state the Act and the section of it under which the appointment was made, and how far this official's executive powers extend; also whether arising out of this appointment the Minister will state what steps are being taken to terminate the dispute with the Balrothery Council, and what immediate precautions are being taken to ensure the administration of Home Help in that area, so that the poor may not suffer in that area as a result of the dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Balrothery Roads Official.
The appointment was made on receipt of the following resolution from the Dublin County Council:—
"That the Dublin County Council in pursuance of Section 82 of the Local Government Act, 1898, complain that the Balrothery Rural District Council have failed to make an estimate for road expenditure which would be sufficient to keep the roads in their district in good condition and repair, and appeal to the Minister for Local Government and Public Health."
On receipt of such resolution I was bound to make an Order limiting a time for the performance of the duty. Such Order was made in pursuance of Section 82 (1) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, and Section 15 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1896, on the 10th April and issued to the Balrothery Rural District Council; the District Council having failed to comply with the Order I was required by the last mentioned Act to enforce it either by Writ of Mandamus or by the appointment of some person to perform the duty. I decided to appoint an officer to perform the duty of the District Council in the matter of the complaint of the County Council. Under the terms of the Order, the officer is required to formulate adequate and sufficient proposals for keeping in good condition and repair the trunk and link roads of the district in conformity with the recommendations in the report of the county surveyor, and to take all steps consequent on the making of such proposals that are necessary for the purpose of performing, according to the powers of the district council, their duty to keep such roads in good condition and repair. The County Council on learning of the proposals formulated by the officer intimated, by resolution of the 16th instant, that they were rejecting such proposals, and I am now considering what further steps I should take to see that effect is given to the complaint which the County Council previously made to me. It is understood that both the District Council and the Board of Guardians met yesterday and the latter made all necessary arrangements with respect to the distribution of outdoor relief.
Is the Minister aware that a considerable amount of unemployment with consequent hardship and poverty exists in Kinsealy and Malahide in the Balrothery area, and would he make arrangements either with the Balrothery District Council or the County Council to put into operation Section 13 of the Local Government Act?
That seems to be a separate question.
I would point out that consequent on——
Consequent on what?
Consequent on the poverty and hardship, due to unemployment, existing in the Kinsealy and Malahide areas.
That is a separate question.
They come under the jurisdiction of the Balrothery Rural District Council, and my question relates to the poverty existing and the necessity for home help.
The Deputy will have to put down a separate question in connection with that matter.