asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware of the hardship caused in the City of Dublin by the inadequate supplies of fuel and, in particular, of wood fuel, and if it is a fact that large quantities of timber have been accumulated and are available for quick disposal; and whether, in the circumstances of prevailing distress, he will make arrangements to have the accumulated stores distributed to citizens in need.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Fuel Supplies.
It has been represented to me that difficulties are being experienced in different urban areas, including Dublin, in securing firewood supplies, but I cannot accept the suggestion that supplies of fuel in the City of Dublin are inadequate. Stocks of merchantable turf are available to meet domestic requirements in the City of Dublin as in other areas.
Reserve stocks of firewood have been accumulated but these are being held as an iron ration to meet any major emergency that may arise. It is not the intention to release this fuel at the present time.
Is the Minister not aware that at present there is a considerable shortage of turf in the city, and that poorer people, especially, are finding it very difficult at certain times to get turf? It is very hard for a person who has not sufficient fuel to see these enormous dumps of wood in Dun Laoghaire and Inchicore which could very quickly be made available to them and in which, in fact, the wood is deteriorating in quality.
I am aware that the facts are quite different from what the Deputy stated. Nobody in Dublin should have any difficulty whatever in procuring a ration of turf.
My information is entirely different from the Minister's. The stocks of wood could be easily made up by the Government later on in the year and portion of the stocks could be let out now before Christmas. The shortage is causing very considerable hardship on a lot of people.