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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Aug 1934

Vol. 53 No. 19

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Quarries.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that on some previous occasions he gave an assurance in the Dáil that applications for a grant from the Unemployment Fund would be sympathetically considered for the development of the quarries under the control of the Benduff, Froe and Madranna Slate Quarries Co., Ltd.; if he is aware that these quarries are the most important in West Cork, and give the greatest amount of employment; and if he is further aware that, at the moment, there is an ever-increasing demand for native slates for housing schemes, and if he will state why, as stated in a letter dated the 23rd of July, 1934, he is not prepared now to recommend the making of grants for the purpose set out, while grants have been made in the case of many other quarries turning out lesser quantities of slates and giving much less employment than the quarries worked by the above-mentioned company: and further, if he will be prepared to reconsider the decision given in such letter if it can be shown to him that the giving of a grant for the development in this case will lead to much-needed increased employment in the district.

I am aware of the position of the Benduff, Froe and Madranna Slate Quarries Co., Ltd. I am not satisfied that the application put forward by the concern is one which should be facilitated out of Unemployment Relief Funds—the only source from which I can recommend a grant.

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