asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the minor relief schemes and the employment schemes (roads rural) operated in each county by the survey staff of the county council are both governed by the same conditions of unemployed labour, and as a result the works carried out under both headings are confined to the same districts, without due regard to the needs or convenience of the ratepaying community who are obliged to make a substantial contribution towards the latter schemes; and, if he will consider some alteration in the conditions which will permit of uniformity of expenditure over each county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minor Relief Schemes.
The Minister is aware of the conditions which govern the allocation and distribution of relief funds. The moneys provided in the Employment Schemes Vote are voted by the Dáil specifically for schemes for the provision of employment and the relief of distress. Accordingly, grants for minor employment schemes and roads (rural) schemes are approved only for those areas in which recipients of unemployment assistance are available in sufficient numbers to form gangs of economic size.
For the purpose of providing work in rural areas, minor employment schemes and roads (rural) schemes are used as a joint programme. Each separate work must be situated within reach of the homes of the workers for whom it is intended, and each eligible unit of area is catered for by either a minor employment scheme or a roads (rural) scheme, and in such a way there is no overlapping between the two types of schemes.
The incidence of unemployment is not uniform over the whole of each county, and it is not possible to establish uniformity of expenditure consistently with the purpose of the Vote. It is not, therefore, proposed to make any alteration in the regulations.
Mr. Brennan
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the net result of the working of the scheme is that all the roads in one portion of a county are being done in that way while the roads in the other part are not being touched at all although the ratepayers have to make a contribution?
I quite recognise that there is that difficulty, but the money is provided specifically for the relief of distress due to unemployment. It is not provided for the purpose of building roads per se. My difficulty is that I must put the money in the places where employment for the purpose of relieving distress is required. Subject to that overriding necessity, I should consider anything.
Mr. Brennan
I understand all that, but the net result of it is what I have said.
I recognise that that is a fact.