In submitting this Supplementary Estimate to the Dáil, I should like to make it clear that additional funds are not needed under the Estimate. This will be observed from the fact that the Estimate is for a token figure. The real purpose of the Estimate is to secure the sanction of the Dáil for extra statutory payments made or to be made within the present financial year to which the power conferred on the Minister by the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act, 1934, does not extend.
To explain the matter, it is necessary to point out the effect certain provisions of the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act, 1934, had on the general principles of the Housing (Gaeltacht) Act, 1929. Under Section 3 of the Act of 1929 the Minister was empowered to make grants and loans towards the erection or improvement of dwellinghouses in the Gaeltacht subject to the condition set out in Section 11 (3) that a preference should be given to the occupiers of dwelling-houses in which the Irish language was the habitual language of the home, but no such preference was stipulated in connection with the making of grants and loans under Sections 4 and 5 of the Act towards the erection or improvement of poultry houses or piggeries. The provision of proper and healthy dwelling accommodation was the primary work to be performed under the Act, and the number of applications received from Irish-speaking households in connection with the erection or improvement of dwellinghouses was so large that it became quite clear that similar applications from non-Irish-speaking householders could not be attended to for an indefinite period. It was therefore decided, when the Act of 1934 was being prepared that, from the point of view of applicants from English-speaking households, no useful purpose would be served by the continuance of their right to make application as there was no possibility within a reasonable period of applications from such households being dealt with. To obviate, therefore, a possible injustice or breach of faith, it was considered advisable to restrict the making of grants and loans in connection with the erection or improvement of dwellinghouses to cases where Irish was the habitual language of the home. The policy of restricting application to households where Irish was the habitual language was intended to apply to dwellinghouses only and at no stage was it intended to apply to householders making application for assistance towards the erection or improvement of poultry houses and piggeries. It was recognised that the measure of assistance provided under Sections 4 and 5 of the Principal Act in this regard was concerned with economic conditions rather than with the language question. This intention was clearly demonstrated when the Minister who had charge of the 1934 Bill stated, in reply to a question from a Deputy, that there would still be power under the Act to continue to give assistance in connection with the erection or improvement of poultry houses and piggeries to occupiers of dwellinghouses in the Gaeltacht, where Irish was not the habitual language of the home.
The Act of 1934 having been passed, it was administered as understood to include power to grant assistance towards the erection or improvement of poultry houses and piggeries, irrespective of the language of the household. The proper interpretation of Section 4 of that Act having come into question recently, the matter was submitted to the Attorney-General, who advised that the section, as it stands, restricts the giving of assistance of all kinds under the Act to occupiers of dwelling-houses in which the Irish language is habitually used as the home language of the household.
The position, therefore, is that there is no statutory authority for such payments already made or falling to be made in the financial year 1936-37, and in order to prevent hardship to those who have incurred expense on the strength of sanction given by the Minister, it is necessary to obtain authority from the Dáil to charge against the Vote those grants which were sanctioned before it was ascertained that there was no statutory authority to cover them, and which, it is estimated, will fall due for payment during that year. Of the gross amount being asked for in this Estimate, £164 10s. 0d. has already been paid out, and a further sum not exceeding £135 10s. 0d. will, it is estimated, be payable before the end of the financial year. As already stated, additional funds are not necessary, as the amount required was included under sub-head H (3) in the original Estimate for the current financial year.
For the information of the Dáil it may be stated that no loans in amplification of the grants referred to have been sanctioned, and, therefore, no necessity arises for the introduction of a Supplementary Estimate for the authorisation of loans of that kind. The amount of such grants sanctioned by the Minister before it was ascertained that the Act was being infringed is £2,105, affecting 260 cases, and it is intended to seek Dáil sanction for estimated requirements for the remainder in Estimates for future years.
It is being considered at present whether the policy of making grants for poultry houses and piggeries to occupiers of dwelling-houses in which Irish is not the habitual language of the home should be continued. Other Departments are concerned, and the matter will be discussed with them with a view to an early decision. Should it then be deemed advisable to continue making these grants, fresh legislation will, if necessary, be prepared without delay. However, the matter now before the Dáil is the question of obtaining authority for the payments made during the current financial year or to be made before the end of that year.
I feel sure that the cause of the misinterpretation of the Act will be appreciated, and, doubtless, the Dáil will readily agree to accord its sanction, so that the absence of authority to make the grants out of the Vote for Gaeltacht Services will not inflict hardship on any person who has been promised this type of assistance.
