During past years I had occasion to appeal to Deputies in various parts of the House, when dealing with this Vote, to sink Party differences and to make suggestions of a helpful nature which would aid me and those responsible for the Gaeltacht services to bring some measure of improvement to the conditions obtaining in these areas. I am pleased to know that with one solitary exception, my words have this year met with a wholehearted response. I think it a happy augury for the future of the Gaeltacht that the criticsims of the Estimate for my Department have taken the lines they have followed this year. That one exception, I think, has been adequately dealt with by Deputy Fionán Lynch. I do not propose to elaborate upon what Deputy Lynch has said. Suffice it to say that Deputy Dockrell is the solitary exception. The Deputy states that this service ought to be a business proposition. If Deputy Dockrell or any other businessman were asked to establish a business in this country he would scarcely select Blacksod as the most suitable centre, nor would he select as a site Kilcar in Donegal or any other remote district, 40 miles, in some cases, from the nearest railway station. Such a selection involves the transport of the raw materials and the transport of the manufactured goods back to the depot later on. No businessman would face a proposition of that kind. This was not a business proposition. I do not think that when setting up this Department it was in the mind of the Oireachtas that it should be run as a profit-making concern or on commercial lines. As Deputy Lynch has pointed out, that could not be done, and it is not likely to happen in the near future. I could not follow Deputy Dockrell's arithmetic nor his references to supplying loans for fishing. That might more properly be addressed to the Minister for Agriculture.
I think the main points of the criticism have been mostly with regard to the reduction in the grants for housing or rather, to be more accurate, the amount of the Estimate for housing. I would like to point out that there is no change of policy, that his Estimate is what is considered likely by the Department to be spent in the course of the coming year. Provision for the housing grants shows a reduction in the figure of the previous year as it is anticipated that less money will be required. Nevertheless, the Department is anxious to encourage the work. The reason why the reduced estimate was introduced was because of a certain hesitancy on the part of applicants to proceed with the work in the present disturbed state of the times.
The number of cases sanctioned under the Acts up to 31st December, 1939, was 7,864, the total amount sanctioned being £472,977 by way of grants and £175,096 by way of loans. The amounts paid up to the same date were £392,036 by way of grants and £131,047 by way of loans. Applications continued to be received for assistance under this scheme, more than 1,000 being on hands at present. It is estimated that some 10,000 more new houses are required in the Gaeltacht and that there are about 2,000 old houses which need repair.
Deputy Mulcahy referred to a sum of £8,000. That sum represents salaries, travelling expenses of the surveyors and supervising gangers who have given such valuable assistance to these poor people, many of whom would never have been able to take advantage of the Housing Acts without such special assistance—a fact of which the Deputy is fully aware. Deputy Murphy, when speaking on the Estimate a short time ago, drew particular attention to this fact.
As a result of this special assistance, as well as the facilities provided for combined purchasing with the consequent reduction of prices arising therefrom, the grants are worth much more than their actual face value. We are not unmindful of the increased cost of materials. The chief housing surveyor has recently been preparing a new plan which will, he hopes, have the effect of saving, approximately, £15 per house in the price of materials without affecting their utility.
Deputy Lynch and, I think, Deputy John Flynn also referred to the fact that Kerry was completely forgotten. So far as housing is concerned I do not think that can be particularly true. Since the passing of the Gaeltacht Housing Act up to the 31st March last Kerry has received between grants and loans £176,732, as against Galway's £152,011 and Donegal's £117,958. In the same period Mayo has received £97,899, Cork £71,731, Waterford £27,723 and Clare £8,775. These are the figures and, according to them, I think Kerry has no grounds for complaint at all. In the year 1939-1940 Kerry got in grants and loans £16,954 out of a total expenditure of £36,708 or almost half the total amount expended.
The next item that I will deal with is the tweed industry. Last year the quality of our tweeds was adversely criticised and I am pleased to note that we had no adverse criticism this year. Even though the allegations made last year were without foundation they cannot but have had some slight adverse effect on our sales. Nevertheless, the sales of "Round Tower" tweeds created a record. In 1932-1933 the tweed sales were £7,632. This figure rose in 1937-38 to £ 15,020 and, last year, despite may handicaps, the figure reached £28,031.
I am satisfied that, as a result of the re-organisation of the industry by my predecessor, Senator Connoly as he then was, a stage has now been reached when "Round Tower Tweeds" have gained a permanent place on the home market-while at the same time the prospects of the export market are bright.
The quality of "Round Tower Tweeds" is excellent, composed as they are of nothing but pure wool. The designs and patterns are attaractive, and the prices at which they are offered compare fovourably with competitive lines considering their very high standard and quality. Our sales at home amounted to £22,435. I think it was Deputy McMenamin who made inquiries regarding our sales. £11,654 of this represented sales in Dublin, and £10,799 in the rest of the country. With Deputy Linehan I, too, Believe that the possibilities of the home market have not yet been fully explored, and that there is still room for development in it, particularly in the provincial towns.
I now turn to the foreign market. Our sales of "Round Tower Tweeds" during 1939-40 in the United States of America amounted to £4,600. This market seems to afford every prospect of development in consequence of the much criticised exhibit at the New york World's Fair and the very excellent work done by our representative over there. I did not go there though Deputy McMenamin seems to think I should have gone. Instead, the assistant manager, a man with a profound knowledge of the industry, was sent, and while out there he formed contacts with some of the leading houses in New York. The seed thus sown is now bearing fruit, and I am pleased to inform the House that last week we received an order from one house for upwards of £1,000 worth of "Round Tower Tweeds." That is an interesting development, and I think it will be possible to increase our sales in that market, especially now when we are about to instal a new spinning mill. The establishment of this spinning mill at Kilear will enable us to fill our orders in reasonable time, and not, as in the past, be dependent on outside sources for supplies. oftentimes the yarns ordered were not delivered in time, and in consequence we lost many valuable orders. This crippled us in many respects and certainly did not help to enhance our reputation commercially. Failure to supply orders within a reasonable period of time is bound to have a paralysing effect on any business. The opening of this new mill will contribute materially to the development of the industry. This will not in any way interfere with the hand-spun handwoven industry. Like Deputy Brian Brady and others who have drawn attention to this matter, I regard both branches—the hand-spun and mill-spun—as complementary to each other, and so when this mills is installed I believe we will be able to meet the demands of the hand-weavers for a carding and breaking plant by carrying out these operations for them in the new mill in addition to supplying our own requirements. The technical advisers of the Department have advised me that it will be possible to do so— to render this service for them—and, in addition, to carry out dyeing operations as well. Expert advice has been sought with regard to the construction and lay-out of the mill, and when the mill has been erected the future employees will be trained by experts so as to give it a reasonable chance of becoming a success form the start.
Now, turning to kintwear, the progress made in the knitting industry in recent years is very satisfactory. Wages have increased from £9,883 in 1932-1933 to £15,560 in 1939-40. The sales of kintted goods have increased over the same period from £13,043 to £43,612. That is, indeed, very satisfactory progress. The production in all branches has whoen a considerable advance, both in quantity and quality. some two-thirds of the wages paid are in respect of flat-machine knitting; the weekly wage workers can earn on a piece-time basis, being higher than in the other branches. It is proposed to open a new flat-machine centre of this type in Annagry, County Donegal. Sock-knitting centres are, for the most part, scattered around the islands and remote centres. With regard to hand-knitting, those engaged in this industry work on a part-time basis, and generally as an adjunct to their domestic duties. Nevertheless, it provides a very useful addition to the income of many homes. With regard to the kindred industries, lace and embroidery, i do not propose to say very much. Those industries are being carried on in the way in which they have been for years. The manageresses are responsible for the marketing of the goods, for the purchases from the workers in those districts, and for the sales subsequently.
Now, I come to our latest industry, that of toys, which is situated in the Belmullet peninsula. After two years experience of this new industry, the Department is satisfied that a high standard of goods can be and is being produced in the Gaeltacht, and that there is a large market for same. The organisation of an industry of this type in a very remote district is not free from difficulties, and the destruction by fire of the factory in which the industry was first established has been a serious set-back. nevertheless, the Department proceeded to reorganise the industry immediately, and have been carrying along as best they can in temporary improvised premises at four different centres. The main types of goods manufactured in these centres are soft toys, wooden toys, shopping bags, and art dolls. Boys are mostly engaged in the hard toys section, and in the soft toys section the majority, of course, are girls. The wages paid during the year 1938-39 amounted to £1,630, and in 1939-40 to £3,177. The increase in sales from £2,905 to £10,488 last year is considered very encouraging. The industry is now well established, and we are confident that we will be able to supply the home market largely, and to establish a considerable export market as well. Incidentally, I might mention that a few days ago we received an order from across-Channel for £500 worth of these toys.
The rates of pay compare favourably with those obtaining in kindred industries operating under trade union rates. Most of the employees, especially in the soft toy industry, are girls under 20 years of age, and many are still undergoing training. I think Deputy Linehan and others who may be interested would be well advised to consult some of their colleagues from North Mayo to ascertain whether these girls are satisfied or otherwise.
I next come to kelp. The price offered this year of £5 10s. per ton will, it is hoped, prove attractive to gatherers, and, while we failed last year to get more than half our requirements, we are confident this year of obtaining our full requirements of 2,000 tons. I would also like to point out that there is no limit fixed to the amount which gatherers may offer. Whatever amount may be offered will be accepted by the Department. In addition, quantities of seaweed were purchased each year since 1936. In that year, 12 tons were purchased; in 1937, 41 tons; in 1938, 393 tons; in 1939, 304 tons. The price paid in 1936 and 1937 was £1 per ton, and in the later years this was increased to 22/6. It is proposed to purchase this year a minimum of 500 tons, which it is anticipated will be far exceeded.
Since 1935 an arrangement is in operation under which a commercial firm purchases carrageen for industrial purposes from the gatherers. The total amount purchased in 1934/35, the last year during which the Department bought and sold the commercial product, was 161 tons, and the average price per stone paid to the gatherers was 1/9¼. The total quantity purchased under the revised scheme in 1939/40 was 157 tons, and the average price per stone was 1/8½.
With regard to edible carrageen, the Department has continued to control this industry, first quality moss being picked and made up in suitable packets at the packing station in Cashla, County Galway, and marketed by Gaeltarra Éireann for use as food and for medicinal purposes. The total sales for 1939-40 amounted to £691. The market for edible carrageen is limited, and even though many of the suggestions put forward by Deputy McMenamin have been tried out already, it is felt that until it can be offered in a powder form which will present less difficulties to the housewife in its preparation, no marked increase in sales can be expected. With this object in view the Industrial Research Council is carrying out experiments.
Deputy Bartley, I think it was, referred to another item that more properly belongs to Agriculture, that is coral sand, which is used as a substitute for lime on land, and also for poultry feeding. The latter item is very interesting. This is the first time, I think, it has been suggested here, and I propose to take it up with the Department of Agriculture to see if there can be a market found for it.
In conclusion, I should like to draw attention to the remarkable growth of the Gaeltacht industries in recent years. The combined figures for the sales of tweeds, knitwear, lace, embroidery and toys in each of the years 1932-33 to 1939-40 are as follows:— 1932-33, £21,437; 1933-34, £25,093; 1934-35, £30,711; 1935-36, £34,512; 1936-37, £32,028; 1938-39, £39,229; 1939-40, £84,151. The estimate for 1940-41 is £100,000. That is a remarkable growth in the past few years. The rate of progress is satisfactory on the whole and the outlook for the future of the Gaeltacht industries is brighter than at any previous period of which I have knowledge.
Deputy Murphy referred to the boat service to Cape Clear island. That is primarily a matter for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, as the Deputy is aware. Nevertheless, we are interested in the matter. There are legal difficulties in the way, as the Deputy seems to know, with regard to the boat that was in operation there before. Everything is being done, however, to make it possible to provide a service for the inhabitants of that island, and I can assure the Deputy and the House that we are not overlooking the matter and that nothing is being left undone to restore this service. In addition, it is proposed, I understand, by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, to establish telephonic communication with that and other islands having a population in excess of 100. The principal difficulty in the way is the provision of materials. The House will, I am sure, understand the difficulty of providing many of these materials at present.
I do not think there was any other point raised, and in conclusion I should like to assure the House that I feel very confident that there is a growing market for Gaeltacht products, and I hope we shall be able to continue the progress made in recent years during the coming year.
