asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether he is aware that the Irish Soldiers' and Sailors' Land Trust is still continuing its policy of requiring the dependents of deceased occupiers to surrender possession of the houses, particularly in cases where the mother has also died, and that this is the cause of the greatest hardship to the family of the deceased; and whether he will take steps to see that this practice is discontinued while the present emergency lasts, and until a decision has been taken as a result of the report of the commission which investigated the general matter of the Trust houses, over two years ago.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tenancy of Trust Houses.
I am not aware of the circumstances mentioned in the first part of the question. Even if the facts were as stated, I am not empowered to take action.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise the hardship caused to dependents of deceased ex-soldiers whose mothers are also dead by the fact that, in present circumstances, they are being forced to leave their houses? Would the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to review the matter with a view to seeing whether, by consultation, cases of real hardship of this kind could be stopped during the period of emergency and until a decision is taken with regard to the report on this matter which is before the Ministry?
I shall have the matter further examined but I do not think that anything effective can be done at present.
The Parliamentary Secretary will look into the matter, because there are cases of severe hardship?