asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that a number of men residing at Stealrue, Killorglin, who are registered as unemployed at the local employment exchange, were refused employment by officials of his Department on the repair of the sea embankment at Calinafercy; and, if so, whether he will take steps to arrange for their employment at the earliest possible date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Embankment Repair Work.
The suggestion contained in the Deputy's question that registered unemployed men residing at Stealrue have been refused employment on the Land Commission works at Calinafercy is without foundation.
Is the Minister aware that I called on his inspector, Mr. Glynn, Tralee, on three different occasions, and he informed me that simply because a number of these men were fishermen and would take up work again in that category in February next, they were not employed on this work; in other words, the ganger informed me that it was not worth while employing these men on the repair of the embankment? If that is the idea, will the Minister state if these men and their families are to starve in the meantime? They are looking for work at the labour exchange; they want work and not dole.
The Deputy is completely misrepresenting the facts, or else he has been badly misinformed. Did Mr. Glynn inform the Deputy that six out of the eight men at Stealrue are employed on the embankment?
There are only four employed out of 20 who applied for work. I have not been misinformed.
I am sure my inspector did not misinform me.