asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that grave dissatisfaction still exists amongst a number of unemployed persons on Bere Island, owing to the fact that since the acquisition of the defences there no employment whatever has been offered to them, though a promise was made that such work would be allocated on a rotational basis; if he is aware that many of such persons were previously employed in the works and have no other means of living, while those to whom prefertial employment has been given, are, in many cases, comfortably off, with other sources of livelihood; if he has received any local representations on the condition of the unemployed persons, and if he intends to take any steps to give them even temporary employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bere Island Unemployed.
Representations have been made on behalf of unemployed persons residing on Bere Island to have them employed by my Department, but I am not aware that a promise was made that employment on important defence works would be on a rotational basis. I have no information as to the number of civilians employed on the defences at Bere Island prior to their being handed over by the British authorities nor am I aware that preferential employment has been given to persons with other sources of livelihood. Employees are obtained as required through the local employment exchange and it is not intended to depart from this procedure.