asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he proposes to initiate measures for the relief of the present critical situation in regard to unemployment, and whether such measures will include amendment of the Unemployed Insurance Act, 1923, so as to make good the inadequacy of the normal insúrance system, consequent on the fact that the revival of trade anticipated by Ministers during the passing of the Act in May last has not taken place.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF.
DOMHNALL O MUIRGHEASA
The intentions of the Government in regard to assisting unemployment were indicated generally in the course of the statement made by the Minister for Finance in the Dáil on the 2nd November, when it was explained that the initiation of any measures of housing or road expenditure would be contingent upon the Government being satisfied that a reasonable adjustment had been reached both of prices and wages. It is hoped that the proposals then referred to will be fully elaborated at a very early date. It is not intended to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1923, by reverting to any system of benefit not supported by contributions.
Are we to understand that people in the road-making or building industries will not be able to look for any better prospect than they have, say, at present?
The answer states that the initiation of any measures of housing or road expenditure would be contingent upon the Government being satisfied that reasonable adjustments had been reached both of prices and of wages.
That only deals with the roads and houses.