asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that there are large numbers of men unemployed in all parts of County Dublin; and, if so, whether he will consider making available immediately substantial grants of money to the Dublin County Council to enable it to commence relief schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief Schemes for County Dublin.
I am not aware of any exceptional unemployment in the administrative area of the Dublin County Council, which comprises over 70 separate electoral divisions, small towns and villages. The number of registered unemployed men in this area on 20th November, 1948, was 400. The great bulk of these are in receipt of unemployment insurance benefit, and would not, therefore, be eligible for work on employment schemes. These schemes are confined to recipients of unemployment assistance, of whom there were only 93 in the area on 20th November, 1948, as compared with 175 last winter. Provision is being made for an employment scheme in the Balbriggan area, in which there are sufficient unemployment assistance recipients to form an economic gang.
Does the Minister consider that he is doing right in only granting relief to the Balbriggan area? I have here a telegram from Balbriggan and there are quite a number of unemployed in that area, but there are other areas in County Dublin to which I would like to see the Minister consider giving grants.
Is the Minister aware that Dublin County Council, by resolution, agreed to hire any unemployed men in County Dublin for the Christmas period at least, and that any man seeking work will get it on applying to the county council?
Is Deputy Dunne suggesting that there is no unemployment in County Dublin?
There is less than there was last year.
I suggest that they are getting more than the 1/- a week you gave them.
Order.