Finding aid databases

Minute to the Taoiseach from the Department of Local Government and Public Health, 13 January 1942, enclosing a copy of a letter which he has sent to the Tanaiste, 12 January 1942, recommending that Miss Pearse's offer be accepted [to sell the interest of two bungalows on the estate to the State]. The matter is stated to be one of urgency as the Commissioner cannot defer action on Miss Pearse's case much longer.

s 9045A

Minute

Copy minute to MacEntee from Sean T O Ceallaigh, 21 February 1942. He gives reasons why he is not supportive of the suggestion that the Government purchase from Miss Pearse her interest in the two bungalows on the estate. He cites financial reasons, arguing that the interest on the bungalows has been put at too high a value. `Finally, and perhaps most important of all from my point of view, there is, I am afraid , the danger that if we buy Miss Pearse's interest in the bungalows, and she applies the proceeds to clearing off the rates now in arrears, in a few years' time similar arrears of rates will have accumulated. ... I must confess too that I have some qualms as to the comments which might be made by the Public Accounts Committee regarding this purchase if, for instance, Miss Pearse happened to die before either Miss Byrne or Miss Mary Brigid Pearse. We might be told that we were speculating with public moneys, and very unwisely into the bargain'. He references an alternative solution, namely that the properly be divided into two parts, the residential accommodation and land used by Miss Pearse and the rest of the property which she essentially holds in trust for the State. The State would assume responsibility for the rates on the latter part of the property, Miss Pearse would pay the remainder.

s 9045A

Minute

Minute to the Taoiseach from Sean T O Ceallaigh, February 1942, relating to Miss Pearse's inability to meet the rate payments on St Enda's. He discusses the various proposed solutions to the problem.

s 9045A

Minute

Copy minute to Sean T O Ceallaigh from the Department of the Taoiseach, 13 March 1942. The best solution to Miss Pearse's financial difficulties, the minute states, would be for the State to take over the property and allow her to stay on as a life tenant at such a nominal rent that she would be able to pay her share of the rates.

s 9045A

Minute

Copy minute to Sean T O Ceallaigh from Sean MacEntee, no date [?1942]. He has been speaking to Miss Pearse and she is prepared in principle to accept a proposal which he outlines. This entails her giving as a gift to the State her life interest in St Enda's whereby the State will discharge all arrears of rates and be responsible for future charges on the property. She will remain in the house as a life tenant.

s 9045A

Minute

Copy minute to Sean MacEntee, unsigned [Sean T O Ceallaigh], 13 March 1942. He encloses a copy of a letter addressed to the Taoiseach, 21 March 1942, expressing his disapproval of the proposal whereby the State takes over responsibility for St Enda's and Miss Pearse remains on at a nominal rent. The sum of £60 rent proposed, he states, would be `very nominal indeed and would, in my opinion, be altogether out of the question'.

s 9045A

Minute

Copy minute to the Taoiseach from Sean MacEntee, 19 June 1942, enclosing a letter he sent to Sean T O Ceallaigh relating to St Enda's. In the latter he states that the County Commissioner is again pressing regarding the rates on St Enda's. While the proposals suggested to alleviate the problem may not, he writes `be very attractive ... I fear something must be done at once'. He concludes: `As I said before, I have no personal interest in the matter at all save to try and avoid the public scandal that would ensure if the Senator is proceeded against for the rate arrears, as she will have to be, failing some agreement'.

s 9045A

Minute

Minute to the Taoiseach from Sean MacEntee, 31 October 1945, enclosing a letter he received from the Commissioner for Dublin County Council, 8 October 1945. From this letter it appears that Margaret Pearse owes £400 in arrears of rates in respect of St Enda's.

s 9045B

Minute

Statement by the Department of the Taoiseach, 21 December 1945, detailing the history of Margaret Pearse's financial problems in respect of St Enda's and various solutions which were proposed to alleviate the problem.

s 9045B

Statement

Copy minute to the Private Secretary, Department of Finance, from M O Muimhneachain, 6 January 1946, relating to the arrears of rates owed by Margaret Pearse. A proposal to settle the problem mooted in 1942 is again put forward, namely that she would give to the state as a gift her life interest in the property and stay on as a lifetime tenant whereby the State would pay the rates arrears and future charges on the property.

s 9045B

Minute