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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Jun 1948

Vol. 111 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Work for Unemployed.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consult with the Minister for Social Welfare for the purpose of devising ways and means of employing the registered unemployed on farm improvement schemes and farm buildings schemes.

The employment of labour required for works approved under my Department's farm improvements scheme is entirely the responsibility of the applicants. That will also be the case under the farm buildings scheme.

Works under the new farm drainage scheme which has been commenced in Counties Galway and Mayo are being carried out by direct labour which is being recruited by my Department's local officers through the local employment exchanges, and they are finding in certain areas in both counties that far from widespread unemployment existing, it is impossible to get men to work on the schemes awaiting execution.

The Minister must be aware that the men who were disemployed as a result of the stoppage of the turf scheme are there, to the number of 1,000 west of Galway City, as indicated by the Minister for Local Government a few weeks ago. My suggestion is that he should utilise this reservoir of labour to make up the shortage which exists elsewhere in respect of these schemes operated under his Department.

I can assure the Deputy that if he will arrange for the preparation of schemes of field drainage in any area where he knows of the existence of unemployment, they will be put into operation within seven days of the date of our receiving notification. In the meantime, I visited during the weekend the Swinford area of County Mayo, and there found that, although there are several schemes awaiting execution, no man can be found to work upon them. The same is true of the Newbridge area of East Galway, of the Ballyhaunis area and of the Ballinasloe area. If any Deputy can help me to find the unemployed, I shall be very glad to employ them.

Is the Minister aware that the rates of wages being paid are not equal to the rates which the unemployed men were receiving?

They are slightly higher than the highest rate ever paid while Fianna Fáil was in office.

Are we to understand from the Minister that, though there are people on the unemployment register in the areas he has mentioned, they are unwilling to take work?

The Deputy need understand no such thing. A notice has been published that the work is available and the managers of the exchanges have been asked to furnish the names of men. To date, we have been unable to get assemblies of men gathered for the purpose.

Are the managers of the labour exchanges asked to interrogate men as to whether they will take work on these schemes or not?

They are the managers of employment exchanges. Is that not their duty?

The instructions of the managers of the exchanges are to notify every unemployed man on their registers that work is awaiting him, if and when he applies for it, with the assurance that it will continue to be available for him until such time as he finds alternative employment.

Are we to understand from that that there are men on the unemployment registers who are refusing to take work?

That is a question which the Deputy might well address to my colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare, who is responsible for the labour exchanges. I am not so responsible.

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