asked the Minister for Finance whether he is yet in a position to state what arrangements have been made to promote work schemes in Dublin to provide alternative employment for workers whose employment with Fuel Importers, Limited, has recently terminated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotion of Dublin Work Schemes.
I have made further inquiries and I find that it has never been the practice to provide alternative work on employment schemes for a group of workmen losing employment at a particular time. On the contrary, according to the regulations in force for many years past they would not be eligible for work on such schemes until they had first exhausted their unemployment benefit, after which they would have to take their chance with a very large number of other recipients of unemployment assistance, many of whom had already been unemployed for long periods.
In any event, such works as have been proposed for the coming winter programme require a considerable time for their technical preparation, and in most cases involve the use of cement and other materials and equipment at present in short supply, so that they could not be launched at short notice.
That seems to be in complete contradiction to the Minister's statement a few weeks ago—his statement on the Finance Bill.
Can the Deputy quote this statement?
Mr. Burke
I can quote the statement.
Whether he does or not, I agree with Deputy Burke that it is in complete contradiction and that answer will not be accepted. I want to make that perfectly clear.
It will be accepted by Clann na Poblachta——
It will not be accepted. These men will have to get work.
Mr. Burke
There are several men——
Question 30.
Mr. Burke
I want to say——
The Deputy did not ask a separate question. He made a statement. Statements are not questions.