asked the Minister for Local Government if he can indicate to what extent the services of workers formerly engaged upon fuel production and distribution can be utilised upon Government promoted schemes for the immediate erection of working-class dwellings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Workers and House Erection.
Mr. Murphy
As the supply of skilled labour and materials improves, the building programmes of local authorities will accelerate and this will naturally involve the employment of greater numbers of unskilled workers. I do not anticipate, however, that the expansion of house building will absorb any very substantial proportion of labour displaced from emergency fuel schemes. Such labour is more likely to be absorbed by agriculture, road work and the special schemes for employment which have been the subject of a special Governmental announcement recently.