asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if in view of the fact that seventy unemployed men resident in Clontarf are debarred from obtaining employment on the building of the Clontarf sea wall, through the operation of a bye-law enforced at the sole discretion of the City Manager, which restricts Corporation work of a temporary character solely to men whose names are inscribed on a Register of a Labour Bureau, established under this bye-law, will he introduce proposals for legislation or take any other steps whereby such bye-laws shall be subject to confirmation by the Corporation?
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clontarf Sea Wall.
I have made careful inquiry into the matter raised by the Deputy.
The works at Clontarf to which the Deputy refers are being carried out by the Dublin Corporation at the expense of the general city rates. The regulations of the Corporation provide that the labour for such works shall be recruited through the Corporation Labour Bureau which is available for the casual employees of the city as a whole.
I understand that registration in the Bureau (which is designed to have lists of men available for casual works undertaken) is regulated by previous service and the allocation of employment to individuals depends on the priority of their claims and the suitability of their services for the works proposed. It is not evident that the City Council desire to alter the regulations in the matter and nothing has been adduced which would warrant my seeking to interfere by legislation with the procedure.
The Deputy is no doubt aware of the conditions attached to the expenditure of the Government Relief Grants and the general position of the unemployed in relation thereto.
Mr. Byrne
Arising out of that answer, is the Minister prepared to see that these 70 unemployed men will obtain the State assistance which his Party has promised?
I did not quite catch the Deputy's supplementary question.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister prepared to see that State maintenance is given to these 70 men who cannot get their names inscribed on that register and who cannot obtain employment in their own area?
As regards the question of State maintenance, I think the Deputy knows already what answers we have given from this side of the House on that matter generally and on the right of people to maintenance. We have frequently indicated our attitude and I am sure the Deputy knows what is the policy of the Government.
Will the Minister indicate what statements have been made from the Government Benches regarding State maintenance?