asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware of the unreasonable delay in starting the works sanctioned by the Roads Board in the Naas, Newbridge, and Kildare sections of the Dublin-Maryborough Trunk Road, and whether he will, in view of the large numbers of unemployed and consequent destitution, give instructions that the work be proceeded with immediately, so that the unemployed may obtain some relief before Christmas.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ROAD RECONSTRUCTION IN KILDARE.
On inquiry from the County Surveyor by telephone, it was learned that the legal preliminaries incidental to entering into the contracts for the work had only just been completed, and that the documents now await the contractor's signature. It is expected that this will be forthcoming almost immediately. Directions are being issued that work must commence without undue delay.
Will the Minister bring pressure to bear on whoever is responsible for the delay in starting this work? Will the Minister see that the work is at once started in the different sections, so that the unemployment that exists at the present time in the three different towns will be relieved? I do not think that the Minister has any adequate realisation of the amount of suffering consequent upon unemployment in Naas, Newbridge and Kildare. The people there seem to think that we are fooling them over this money. The money was available for the last three or four months, but the work was left untouched, and no one seems to care whether the unemployed people get employment or not.
The delay arose over the legal preliminaries. Difficulties that were purely legal had to be dealt with. The other question will be a matter for the contractor who is dealing with the work.
I would like the Minister to use his influence so as to get these men employed as soon as possible.