asked the Taoiseach if he is now in a position to give the main features of the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee set up in November, 1942, to deal with post-emergency schemes, with particular reference to their application to the unemployment problem likely to be experienced during the coming winter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post-Emergency Schemes.
It is not a function of the Cabinet Committee referred to by the Deputy to make recommendations. As I have explained in reply to a number of previous questions during the past two years, the primary responsibility for the preparation of plans rests on the Departments concerned. The function of the Committee is to keep under observation the progress made by Departments in this work and to make suggestions as to steps which might be taken to expedite planning and also to expedite the carrying out of such work as may be practicable in the existing conditions, for example, preparatory work on planned schemes which cannot be fully undertaken until the supplies position has improved.
The Cabinet Committee, which some months ago was enlarged so as to include all the members of the Government, has given close attention to the possibility of large scale unemployment occurring in the period following the war. Plans to deal with such a situation have been in preparation, but it is difficult to bring them to their final stage until the position regarding the prospects of securing essential supplies has become clearer. The materials and equipment required for extensive schemes of public works are still scarce and are likely to remain so for some considerable time.
As the Deputy is aware, a very large programme of building work, both public and private, has been outlined in a White Paper issued by the Department of Industry and Commerce. The Department of Local Government and Public Health has been pressing local bodies to have in readiness plans, for large scale public works. A number of such plans has been prepared and White Papers relating to schemes of public works are being got ready for publication. The Special Employment Schemes Office has also been engaged in the preparation of schemes for the relief of unemployment. Information regarding these will also be included in a White Paper. The Deputy may take it that everything possible will be done to obviate the occurrence of unemployment on an abnormally large scale, that is, so far as effective steps are not prevented by obstacles which might conceivably be insuperable such as the shortage of essential materials.
Would it be possible for the Taoiseach to arrange an opportunity whereby the House would be presented with more detailed proposals as to the intentions of the Government and the intentions of the Departments concerned so that the House, being taken into the Government's confidence in the matter, might be in a position to make helpful suggestions to the Government in the light of the intentions for post-war development?
I think the first thing is the publication of the White Papers. When we have that material available then there could be some question of the matter being discussed here.