asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total number of omnibus undertakings acquired by the Dublin United Tramways Company, the total number of persons employed by such undertakings before their absorption, the number of such employees for whom employment was provided by the Dublin United Tramways Company, and the number provided with alternative employment through the employment exchanges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Omnibus Undertakings by Dublin United Tramways Company.
The total number of omnibus undertakings acquired by the Dublin United Tramways Company (1896) Ltd., is 28; 11 of these were acquired by agreement. The total number of persons claiming to have been employed in the 28 undertakings before absorption was, I understand, 1,075, of whom 901 have been afforded employment by the tramways company. I have no information as to what proportion of the remaining 174 have found alternative employment through the employment exchanges. I am aware, however, that there was considerable doubt as to whether a large proportion of these persons were in fact bona fide employees of the acquired concerns; that 27 did not seek employment; that in consequence of a pre-existing arrangement with the trade union concerned the company were precluded from offering employment to 16 drivers and conductors; and that approximately 64 were found unsuitable on medical or other grounds.