asked the Minister for Local Government, whether, as the British Government grant for the erection of houses for ex-service men has been available for a long time—steps will be taken (1) to expedite the work necessary to determine the amount for Saorstát purposes; (2) to have the overdue schemes proceeded with at the earliest possible date, and so relieve present and impending unemployment; whether it has been laid down under the terms of the British grant that suitable local ex-service men should have a first claim on employment under those schemes.
WRITTEN ANSWERS. - EX-SERVICE MEN'S HOUSES.
Representations have been made to the British Government as to some delay which has arisen in the appointment of the members of the Land Trust who will administer the British Grant of £1,500,000. It is understood that the members will shortly be appointed, when schemes for the application of the money will be arranged. It is understood that a certain amount of work has been in progress in connection with schemes which had been already settled, but progress has been hampered because of strikes. It is understood that it is the practice, in administering the schemes, to consider the claims for employment of the ex-service men referred to in the question.