asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state in regard to the Shannon scheme works (a) the total number of persons employed since the work commenced, and the average period of employment; (b) the number of foreign workers at present employed, and the total amount paid to them in salaries and wages per week; (c) the number of Irish workers at present employed, and the total amount paid to them in salaries and wages per week; (d) the number of foreign apprentices at present employed, and the number of Irish apprentices.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - SHANNON SCHEME EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS.
The particulars asked for in the first part of the question are not in my possession, and could only be obtained by going through the contractors' books on the various building sites for the period of some two years and eleven months since the work commenced. The time and labour involved would not seem justified.
The replies to the second, third, and fourth parts of the question are as follows:—
499 foreign workers are employed, the total weekly amount earned being £3,580.
4,496 Irish workers are employed, the total weekly amount earned being £11,335.
9 foreign and 16 Irish boys are employed. The conditions of the work do not afford opportunity for the employment of apprentices proper.
The figures given include all the manual labour employed on the electrical as well as the civil engineering works, and relate to dates in May and June respectively, when the figures were last compiled.
Does the Minister not consider that there is absolutely no necessity for nine foreign apprentices being employed, as they could get Irish apprentices to do that particular work?
The Deputy would not make that statement if he knew the facts.