asked the Minister for Defence if he can state whether during the year 1941 the services of members of the Construction Corps were utilised cutting turf and timber for the account of Fuel Importers Ltd.; who authorised the employment of members of the Construction Corps on this work; whether Fuel Importers Ltd. were charged for the services rendered in regard to the production of turf and wood fuel for them, and, if so, at what rate; further, whether he will state if it is intended that during the present year members of the Construction Corps will be employed to do work for private or profit-making concerns; and, if so, under what conditions in regard to payment, etc., will these men be so employed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Utilisation of Services of Construction Corps.
Members of the Construction Corps were not engaged during 1941 in the production of turf other than for Army use.
In the period June to December, 1941, members of the Construction Corps were engaged in felling timber for the national fuel reserve. They were employed on this work on my authority at the request of the Minister for Supplies and were employed only where sufficient, local civilian labour was not available. I have no information as to the financial arrangements between the Minister for Supplies and Messrs. Fuel Importers, Ltd., but, in accordance with the general procedure approved by the Minister for Finance, the cost of the services rendered by the corps in this instance is being borne as a final charge on the Army Vote. For the information of Dáil Eireann and the Committee of Public Accounts, a note showing the cost of the services rendered will be appended to the Appropriation Account for the financial year concerned—1941/42.
The employment of members of the Construction Corps during the present year on work for private or profit-making concerns is not at present contemplated.