Dáil Éireann - Volume 37 - 26 March, 1931

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief Vote Schemes in Donegal.

Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney

Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries whether he will state the number of improvement schemes submitted to his Department for a grant under the Relief Schemes Vote, 1930, in respect of the estate of the Earl of Leitrim, Co. Donegal; whether any of these schemes have been approved; and, if not, whether he will state the reasons why they have been rejected.

Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Lands and Fisheries (Mr. Roddy) Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Lands and Fisheries (Mr. Roddy)

Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Lands and Fisheries (Mr. Roddy): A number of applications for grants under the Vote for the Relief of Unemployment and Distress was received in respect of works situated on the estate of the Earl of Leitrim. One such work has been undertaken out of funds provided by the Relief Vote, being the completion of a road partly made under a previous similar Vote.

As the estate of the Earl of Leitrim is the subject of proceedings under the Land Act, 1923, any necessary improvement works thereon will be considered in connection with expenditure out of the Improvement sub-head of the Land Commission Vote.

Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney

2168

Mr. Blaney: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a big lot of unemployment exists on this estate, [2168] particularly in the Lough Keel, Termon and Rossguill district? In view of that condition of things, will the Parliamentary Secretary state the reason why money out of the Relief Schemes Vote has not been applied?

Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy

Mr. Roddy: There is no more money available from the Relief Vote for the purpose of carrying out further relief schemes of this kind. This is a 1923 Land Act estate, and the improvement works, of course, will normally be carried out from moneys out of the Improvement Fund.

Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney

Mr. Blaney: Does that mean that none of the money out of the Relief Schemes Vote has been allocated for estates not yet vested under the 1923 Land Act?

Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy

Mr. Roddy: Generally speaking, that is true.

Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney

Mr. Blaney: That was not mentioned or specified when the Vote was passed; there was no limitation like that set out. I might point out that some of these estates are situated in the most poverty-stricken districts of the country. I do not think it is reasonable that they should be excluded from the Relief Schemes Vote.

Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy

Mr. Roddy: One such work was undertaken, and the other works will be undertaken in the normal manner.

Dáil Éireann 37 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Relief Vote Schemes in Donegal.

Questions

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