asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the fact that imported desk standards are now being used in schools all over the country, resulting in unemployment to men in the Park Foundry at Waterford, who had been engaged at the making of standards used in schools for a number of years; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of Desk Standards.
I am informed that some two years ago an approved school desk standard was decided upon. Under that arrangement the old cast-iron standard continued to be permissible for the smaller schools and for replacements or extensions in schools already using them. The new specification permitted of home manufacture, and I have no reason to believe that importations have been on the scale which the Deputy suggests. Both the new and the old type standard are manufactured here. It is not proposed to take any action in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that since the Board of Works started to import desk standards the section at the Park Foundry at Waterford which had been manufacturing these articles has had to close down? Is he not aware that representations have been made to his Department on this matter during the past two years without results?
So far as the industrial interests are affected by the decision, I do not think any question arises because both types of standard required are manufactured in the country.
My information is that they are importing the standards.