asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the closing down of the Browhead granite quarries, in the Mizen Head Peninsula, meant the disemployment of about 70 to 80 men, many of whom are presently idle, and will be therefore cause a special inquiry to be made regarding conditions in that peninsula with a view to inaugurating some useful works there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Browhead Granite Quarries.
The Minister is aware that the Browhead granite quarries were closed down at the end of the year 1939, but has no evidence that unemployment in the Mizen Head Peninsula was thereby increased to the extent indicated in the question. Grants from the Employment Scheme Vote were sanctioned for the area in 1939-40 and 1940-41, and again in the present financial year a grant pro rata to the unemployment position will be made available.
Is the Minister aware that from time to time some of these schemes have been sanctioned, but have not been carried out, owing to the fact that it has been declared officially that there were not enough men on the unemployment register to warrant the spending of money on relief schemes in that area? I am informed that that is due, firstly, to the reluctance of these men to go on the dole, and, secondly, to the big distance between the area and the nearest labour exchange. I should like the Minister to have an inquiry made into the conditions prevailing in that peninsula.