asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that acute distress and loss has been sustained by workers on roads and bogs through their inability to work full time, due to the inclemency of the weather; and, if so, if he will take steps to compensate them for such loss of time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loss of Working Time on Public Works.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative but I understand there has been a partial suspension of work on county council schemes in some areas for the reason stated by the Deputy.
In regard to the second part of the question the normal arrangements through the medium of unemployment assistance or unemployment insurance are available, as in other comparable employment.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a considerable time must elapse before unemployment assistance is received by those men? In the meantime, does he propose to make any arrangements in the case, particularly, of married men with wives and families, to enable them to live during the period of waiting? The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that there has been a suspension of work on the roads of late owing to the weather conditions. How are those people to live for the next month until they receive unemployment assistance?
I have already indicated to the Deputy the steps that should be taken. The Deputy is in error in thinking that a delay of a month must occur before unemployment assistance is obtained.