asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate the amount of money that will be available for relief schemes and other works in the Kilcashen and Beara electoral division from now till March next.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Relief Schemes.
The amounts available from the Employments and Emergency Schemes Vote for Kilcashen and Beara electoral divisions in the current winter season are £300 and £265, respectively. The numbers of unemployment assistance recipients in these areas have fallen considerably in comparison with the previous years.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the course of the last three weeks a very radical change has taken place in this area? Has he received repeated representations from representative bodies in that area, particularly the Beara Development Association, pointing out the distress created by this reduction and will he undertake that a complete investigation will be made in order to alleviate the growing distress in that area?
The amounts which are provided are in relation to the number on the unemployment register in January, 1953, and that, of course, follows the customary procedure.
I want to bring to thenotice of the Parliamentary Secretary that a radical change has taken place in this area calling for immediate action by his Department. I am asked if he would have the matter investigated to see if that is true and, if it is discovered that it is true, whether he will make an effort to make available further money to alleviate distress in that area during this season?