asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether (a) he is aware that the Post Office factory in Dublin consists of a series of wooden buildings run up during the last war for munitions work and that no improvements have been made in these structures for the past 20 years other than an occasional coat of paint on the walls; (b) whether he is aware that the heating arrangements are antiquated and inadequate, that the roof is defective, that there is a leakage into the apartment where cauldrons of molten lead are stored; (c) whether he is aware of the danger arising from these conditions and especially of water dripping into the hot lead; (d) whether he is aware that the canteens attached to the factory are primitive, dirty, badly kept and badly heated; and, if so, what steps he proposes taking immediately to remedy the defects complained of and to ameliorate the conditions of the workers employed in the factory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Factory.
I have inspected the factory buildings, which are constructed of wood and are about 25 years old. Apart from some defects in the roof glazing, which are receiving the attention of the Commissioners of Public Works who are responsible for maintenance, the condition of the premises appears to be generally satisfactory and I do not consider that there is any ground for material complaint. The heating arrangements are adequate. Lead is not treated in the main building; melting down takes place in a separate concrete structure erected specially for the purpose some three years ago, and, as the roof of this structure is in perfect condition, there is no question of danger from the dripping of rain water into molten lead. The canteens are in separate wooden structures and appear to serve their purpose quite well. I see no cause for dissatisfaction with them. In relation to the heating and the floors of the canteen for female workers, I propose, however, to have some slight improvements made for their better comfort. On the whole I find nothing in the general condition of the factory premises to justify the strictures implied in the question.