To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the fact that four members of the Amalgamated Society of Painters were discharged by the Board of Works Department on the Curragh Camp on the 27th October, and that soldiers were then employed to do the external painting to windows, doors, verandahs, etc., at Ponsonby, Stewart, Beresford, and Gough Barracks, and if he will consider the advisability of re-employing these men, who are ratepayers, and further, if he will give instructions to the Board of Works Department to have the general external painting and repairs to Ponsonby and Stewart Barracks (long overdue) started at once, so as to relieve the unemployment which prevails in the district?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - PAINTING OF CURRAGH BARRACKS.
It is not the case that civilian painters were displaced on any particular painting work by soldiers, but the work of day to day maintenance is being gradually taken over by works companies. I am aware that in this connection, paint, to the extent of approximately 10 gallons, has recently been drawn by our men at the Curragh. It is proposed that during the present year there shall be undertaken at the Curragh only such painting work as is necessary for the preservation of the health of the occupants of the buildings and for the structural preservation of these buildings.