asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the majority of the operatives connected with the old-established boot manufacturing firm of Hearne & Cahill, Waterford, are now idle through, it is stated, slackness of work in the industry, and if, in the circumstances, he will take steps further to restrict the importation of boots or any other action which may be necessary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Boot Factories.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the firm of Messrs. Hearne & Cahill, boot manufacturers, Waterford, has now been closed for nearly two months with the consequent disemployment of over 137 employees; that there is little prospect in the future of a full working week being available for the employees; that licences to import up to March, 1938, 200,000 pairs of boots have been issued and also authority to erect new factories has been given by his Department, and to ask what steps, if any, he proposes to take to deal with this state of affairs and to permit this old-established firm to reopen on a fulltime basis.
I propose to answer questions No. 8 and No. 9 together. I am aware that a number of the operatives in the firm of Messrs. Hearne & Cahill were unemployed in the months of January and February. Representations as to unemployment in the boot and shoe industry generally have been made to me and are being examined.