asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that the action of the Longford County Council in reintroducing the contract system on roads has resulted in increased unemployment in the area, and whether he will represent to local authorities generally the desirability of refraining from changes calculated to increase unemployment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CONTRACT SYSTEM ON ROADS.
I am informed that the Longford County Council have, to some limited extent, reintroduced the contract system for road maintenance. It is not for me to interfere with their decision, which, presumably, was arrived at on considerations of efficiency and economy. Local authorities are already aware of my view that the maximum amount of employment should be afforded consistent with their resources and the discharge of necessary statutory duties.
When the Minister speaks of a maximum amount of employment, does he mean a maximum amount of employed labour, wage employment, as distinct from employment of men who are contractors themselves?
I mean that the work should be allocated in such a way as to employ the maximum number of men.
On wages?
Yes.