Kilbrittain.Net - Political

Dáil Éireann Snippets

Sean Priomhdhail asked the Minister for Finance if he could state the cause of the delay in paying compensation to John O'Brien, Clonbouig, Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, for the loss of his hay and straw, which were burned by British Forces in 1921, and for which he was awarded £115 in October, 1923.

The Minister for Finance Mr. Blythe replied that an award of £122, with costs, in favour of the person named by the Deputy in respect of the destruction of hay and straw in 1921, had been notified by the Compensation Commission at the beginning of the previous March. This award, which was presumably the one referred to, was duly discharged by the despatch of a paying order to the applicant's solicitor on 21st April.

Tadhg O Murchadha asked the Minister for Finance if he was aware that the Post Office Authorities were agreeable to the release from service on May 19th, 1928, of Mr. James Roche, postman, Kilbrittain, Co. Cork, who had made an application for permission to retire under Article X of the Treaty, and if he could state when Mr. Roche's case would be dealt with and the necessary permission to retire be granted.

The Minister for Finance Mr. Blythe replied that the answer to the first part of the question was in the affirmative. The Minister said that consideration of Mr. Roche's application, in common with others of a similar kind, would have to await the setting up of the Statutory Tribunal to which he had made reference in his statement to the House on the 20th February.

Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he was aware that the Cork County Council, by a majority of five, had refused to sanction the raising of a loan by the South Cork Board of Assistance for the purpose of building dispensary residences in Ballinspittle, Kilbrittain, Ballygarvan and Cloyne; and seeing the necessity for such residences in the central parts of the dispensary districts referred to; and seeing that the raising of the loan would impose no burden on the ratepayers, would he either (1) insist on the county council carrying out their obligations to the dispensary doctors and the sick poor of the areas in question, or (2) facilitate the South Cork Board of Public Assistance so that they would be enabled to carry out these necessary works without depending on the county council.

The Minister Dr. Ward replied that no official intimation had so far reached his Department of the refusal of the Cork County Council to sanction the application of the South Cork Board of Public Assistance for permission to obtain a loan for the purpose of building dispensary residences. As regards the latter part of the question, The Minister said that he had no information before him to support the statement that the raising of a loan for the building of such residences would impose no burden on the ratepayers. He said he was always prepared to facilitate the carrying out of any proposals that were shown to be necessary for the relief of the sick poor, but he could not authorise the South Cork Board of Public Assistance to undertake any work the cost of which was intended to be met out of borrowed money, until the consent of the Cork County Council and the Corporation of Cork had been obtained by the Board of Assistance in accordance with Section 4 of the Local Government Act, 1927.

Tadhg O Murchadha asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he had granted or proposed to grant a licence for the erection of a creamery at Kilbrittain, County Cork, and if so, whether he was aware that there was already a creamery in Kilbrittain district, and that it was now proposed to erect a new creamery near it. If he would further state the nature and source of the representations made to him in support of the application for the licence, and whether he had received written representations from farmers in the district, who own over 300 milch cows, to the effect that a second creamery was not required; and if he would state what action he proposed to take in the matter.

Tadhg O Murchadha asked a similiar question in relation to a creamery at Ballinascarthy.

The Minister Dr. Ryan replied that Licences for the erection of creameries at Ballinascarthy and Kilbrittain had been promised. He said he was aware that there were existing creameries at these places and that it was proposed to erect the new creameries close to the existing creameries. Applications for licences under the Creamery Act, 1928, for the establishment of creameries at Ballinascarthy and Kilbrittain were made by local co-operative societies. The Minister said that at the same time he had received representations that the creamery facilities already provided were adequate for the needs of these districts. Investigations were carried out by inspectors under the Dairy Produce Act who were familiar with all the circumstances. After considering their reports and the representations made for and against the establishment of new creameries, he had come to the conclusion that it would be in the best interests of the dairy farmers in the districts that co-operative creameries should be made available to which they could send their milk if they so wished. Dr Ryan said that licences for the establishment of creameries were, accordingly, promised to the societies concerned and that he did not propose to take further action in the matter beyond granting licences, as promised, when the new premises were ready for registration.

Mr. T.J. Murphy asked if the Minister did not consider, in view of the fact that the policy of the Department was gradually to absorb the existing creameries into the scheme of the Department, that a very considerable amount of expense and a considerable amount of waste would be the result of this decision of his.

The Minister Dr. Ryan replied that it was not so easy to make progress in the absorption of some of the proprietary creameries referred to.

Mr. Murphy asked if the Minister would now be prepared to give further consideration to the views of the local farmers on this matter as in the last analysis they were the people who ought to be consulted. Mr. Murphy said that as well as he could gather from the Minister's reply, he took it to be that it was the view of certain co-operative societies and of officials of societies that had prevailed in this matter, and not the view of the local farmers who were the people mainly concerned.

The Minister Dr. Ryan said no, they had tried to ascertain the views of the local farmers as far as they could, and they had come to the conclusion, on the reports received, that the majority of the local farmers were in favour of these new creameries being erected.

Mr. Murphy said that the local farmers had sent in a petition stating otherwise.

The Minister Dr. Ryan said that they had signed the other (petition) too.

Mr. Murphy suggested to the Minister that he ought to have a further investigation into the matter.

Tadhg O Murchadha asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he was aware that only 13 suppliers of milk had transferred their supply from the Cork and Kerry Creamery, Kilbrittain, to the recently erected branch of the Barryroe Creamery in Kilbrittain, and whether, in view of this position, the licensing and registration of a creamery serving such little purpose in the district would be continued.

The Minister Dr. Ryan replied that the separating station was established to serve the needs of the district and not for the purpose of getting milk transferred from other premises. He said that the creamery was established less than a fortnight and was receiving a supply which augured well for its future.

Mr. Murphy asked if he understood the Minister to say that the purpose of erecting the creamery was not to wipe out another creamery.

The Minister Dr. Ryan replied that it was not, that it was to serve the district.

Mr. Murphy asked if the Minister would relate that to his statement in the Dáil that the only alternative was to fight these people and crush them out of existence. He asked if the Minister recalled that statement.

The Minister Dr. Ryan replied that that was quoting the statement in a very different context.

To which Mr. Murphy retorted "On the very same subject".

The Minister agreed.

Mr. Brodrick asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he would state the number of mills in the various counties which had been given permits to mill home-grown wheat into flour, and the names of the places where those mills were situated.

The Minister Mr. Lemass said that the information sought by the Deputy would take a considerable time to read to the House and that he therefore proposed to circulate it in the form of a tabular statement. The statement was circulated with the Official Report, and contained the names of 290 firms holding permits. About 100 additional permits were in the course of being issued and it was expected that a further number would be issued when the investigation of the remaining applications was complete.

Following is an extract of the statement for County Cork:

STATEMENT OF MILLS PERMITTED TO MILL HOME GROWN WHEAT.

Cork (61 mills)

Skibbereen (10), Bantry (6), Clonakilty (6), Kinsale (5), Dunmanway (4), Kanturk (4), Drimoleague (4), Enniskeane (2), Rath Luire (2), Coachford (2), Ballineen (2), Kilbrittain, Timoleague, Midleton, Inniscarra, Fermoy, Carrigaline, Castletownshend, Inchigeela, Bandon, Ballymacoda, Rosscarbery, Macroom, Carrigtwohill, Baltimore.

Tadhg O Murchadha asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he would consider effecting an early improvement in the method of delivering mails from Bandon to Kilbrittain, Timoleague, Lislevane and Courtmacsherry.

The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Mr. Little replied that he had had careful inquiries made into the existing delivery arrangements at Kilbrittain, Timoleague, Lislevane and Courtmacsherry, and found that it was not possible to effect any improvement while transport facilities remained as they were. The Minister said that the horse drawn mail car service by which the district had formerly been served had to be withdrawn, because tenders for the contract at a reasonable figure had not been obtained. Mails for the localities mentioned were conveyed by rail and cycle, and considering emergency conditions, the services were not unsatisfactory. Letters posted up to 2.30 a.m. in Cork were delivered at all the places referred to on the same day, while letters posted in time to catch the outgoing mails in the reverse direction were delivered in Cork on the following morning.

Mr. Palmer asked the Minister for Agriculture (i) if he would furnish particulars of properties under the control of the Dairy Disposals Company, Limited, which had been sold or let during the past five years; (ii) the prices paid or the rents charged for same; (iii) the names and addresses of the person or persons to whom they were sold or let; (iv) the purpose for which they were required; (v) the dates of such transactions, and if his sanction had been obtained; and (vi) whether the board's intention to sell or let those properties had been conveyed to the public by notice in the Press or otherwise.

Mr. Dillon replied that the information asked for had been prepared in the form of a tabular statement which he proposed, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have published in the Official Report.

Extracts from the official statement of properties sold by the Dairy Disposal Company Ltd. and associated companies:

• On 1st April, 1945, the premises, plant, milk supply and goodwill of Kilbrittain and Timoleague Separating Stations was sold to Barryroe Co-operative Creamery, Ltd., Lislevane, Timoleague, Co. Cork, for £4,000. The purpose being to carry on the business of a cream separating station.

• On 1st April, 1945, the premises, plant, milk supply and goodwill of Naulbrack Separating Station was sold to Bandon Co-operative Creamery, Ltd., Bandon, Co. Cork, for £1,100. The purpose being to carry on the business of a cream separating station.

• On 1st April, 1945, In Ballinascarthy a redundant building (formerly Ballinascarthy Central Creamery) was sold to Lisavaird Co-operative Creamery, Ltd., Lisavaird, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, for £1,750.

• On 1st July, 1945, the premises, plant, milk supply and goodwill of Derrygros Separating Station was sold to Drinagh Co-operative Creamery, Ltd., Drinagh, Dunmanway, Co. Cork, for £1,200. The purpose being to carry on the business of a cream separating station.

Mr. Dillon said that these sales were part of the general reorganisation of the creamery industry in the area in which the Irish Butter and Exporters' Association, Ltd., formerly operated, some of the properties were sold as going concerns and some as redundant properties. This reorganisation was undertaken by the Company at the direction of the Minister for Agriculture.

Mr. Dillon further said that the Company did not convey to the public, by notice in the press or otherwise, the intention to sell or let these properties as the transactions were not of general public interest. In each case the Company was in touch with prospective purchasers or tenants and the Company was satisfied that the maximum amount possible was realised.

All the transactions set out above were completed by private treaty.

Mr. S. Collins asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he would indicate what areas the Electricity Supply Board intended to develop in West Cork under the rural electrification scheme.

Dr. O'Higgins said that he had been informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the areas of Schull and Barryroe had been selected and that construction work would commence within two or three months. The areas of Innishannon and Cloughduv had been considered for selection but had not so far been successful owing to the poor return in each case. The board could not say at that stage when these areas would be likely to qualify for selection. The area of Castletownbere would be considered for selection in coming May. Dr. O'Higgins said that the areas of Kilbrittain, Ballinspittle and Murragh were at that time under canvass. The areas of Baltimore, Skibbereen, Ballinascarthy and Lisavaird had already been developed.

Mr. S. Collins asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what areas were scheduled by the E.S.B. for rural electrification in West Cork in the immediate future.

Mr. Crotty said that he had been informed by the E.S.B. that the areas of Inishannon, Kilbrittain, Ballingeary and Inchigeela in West Cork had recently been selected by the board for development under the rural electrification scheme and that it was hoped to commence construction work in these areas at intervals during the coming months. He said he was also informed that work was in progress in the Bweeng area of West Cork.

Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the automatic telephone exchange at Bandon would be in operation; and what was the present position regarding other automatic exchanges in mid-Cork.

Mr. J. Brennan replied that the new exchange was expected to be in operation in about 18 months. Four other exchanges at Lombardstown, Kilbrittain, Lislevane and Timoleague, were included in the current programme and would be converted to automatic working within two years approximately.

Mr. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education, in relation to Kilbrittain national school, County Cork, if he was aware that (a) there was a teacher with remedial qualifications on the staff, (b) no remedial tuition was being given, (c) the board of management was anxious to have remedial tuition carried on in the school where there was a number of pupils requiring this and (d) if he would take steps to ensure that the wishes of the board of management were observed.

The Minister for Education Mr. John P. Wilson replied that remedial education was primarily a matter for the child's class teacher and that all national teachers were trained to deal with this aspect of their work.
The Minister said that all the staff in Kilbrittain national school were fully trained and, with an average class size of 28, any remedial education necessary should be well within their capability. The deployment of this staff was a matter for the board of management itself, but his Department's inspector would be available to furnish any advice or assistance the board would require.

Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Education the plans she had to carry out essential improvement works to Kilbrittain and Borleign national schools, County Cork.

The Minister for Education Mrs. Gemma Hussey replied that the national schools at Kilbrittain and Borleigh, County Cork, were vested in the Minister for Education. Therefore, the maintenance of the school buildings and grounds were the responsibility of the Commissioners of Public Works. The Minister said that she understood from the commissioners that they proposed to attend to the external decoration of Kilbrittain school and to various works to the grounds of Borleigh school.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education whether support from the national lottery would be made available to the committee of the Kilbrittain Parish Hall, County Cork, who were expending the sum of £64,000 on premises for the local community.

The Minister for Education Mrs. O'Rourke replied that it was not possible to allocate a grant to Kilbrittain parish hall, County Cork, as all funds made available to date for the lottery funded capital grants scheme for the provision of recreational facilities had been fully allocated.

Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education if her attention had been drawn to the fact that Kilbrittain national school, County Cork had been included in the list of seriously substandard schools in the INTO survey, and what steps, if any, were being taken to remedy the matter.

The Minister for Education Ms Niamh Bhreathnach replied that the provision of a new national school for Kilbrittain, County Cork had been approved and the project was included in the 1993 primary school building programme. The Minister said that construction work was expected to begin very shortly.

Mr. Hyland asked the Minister for Education if she would give a list of completed building projects in each county between January and September 1995.

The Minister for Education Ms Niamh Bhreathnach replied that she assumed the Deputy's question related to major building projects where the newly built accommodation became ready for occupation between January and September 1995.

Included in the list of completed projects were:

Kilbrittain NS, Co Cork.
Cloughduv NS, Co Cork.

Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to provide proper educational facilities at Gurraneasig national school, Kilbrittain, County Cork; when the work would commence; when he expected to have work completed; the expected delay due to the cut in the Estimates; the length of a delay there would be; and if he would make a statement on the matter.

The Minister for Education and Science Mr. N. Dempsey replied that an extensive primary school building programme had been published earlier that year and details could be obtained on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
The Minister said that he would be announcing his Department's expenditure proposals for primary school buildings in the new year. It was not possible at that point to give any indication as to when architectural planning or construction would commence on individual projects.

Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if sanction would be given for the commencement of work on the extension of the Innishannon water supply schemes; and if he would make a statement on the matter.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Mr. Roche replied that the Innishannon, Ballinadee-Ballinspittle-Garretstown, water supply scheme had been approved for funding in his Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2004-2006 under the rural towns and villages initiative, at an estimated cost of €6.4 million.
The Minister said his Department had approved Cork County Council’s revised preliminary report for the Innishannon water supply scheme, which would serve Ballinadee, Ballinspittle, Garretstown and Kilbrittain. He said it was now a matter for the council to prepare contract documents. Following receipt and approval of the contract documents by his Department, the council would be in a position to invite tenders for the scheme.