asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the total amounts of money allocated as minor employment scheme grants to Valentia, Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen and Curraghmore E.Ds. are inadequate and that no grants have been made to Scartaglin, Kilcumin, Rathmore, Kenmare, Killarney, Headford, Cordal, Gneeveguilla, Dunloe, Glencar and Molahiffe E.Ds.; and if, in view of the serious unemployment position in these areas, he will take steps to allocate further grants at the earliest possible date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minor Employment Scheme Grants.
Grants have been made for employment schemes in the Electoral Divisions of Valentia, Killorglin, Glenbeigh (Glanbehy) and Cahirciveen, in proportion to the numbers of unemployment assistance recipients as compared with the numbers in other electoral divisions throughout the country. Similarly, proportionate grants have been made for Scartaglin, Caragh and Molahiffe Electoral Divisions.
I am not aware of exceptional unemployment in any of the other electoral divisions referred to by the Deputy, none of which, according to the last detailed enumeration of unemployment assistance recipients, qualify for a full-cost grant under the head of minor employment schemes.
I might add that grants for bog development schemes, in which the primary consideration is not the relief of unemployment, have been made for Caher and Maum Electoral Divisions.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the grants are not sufficient? For instance, in Valentia the Department allocated five schemes. The quota for these five schemes was £330. That is not at all adequate for the number of unemployed in Valentia. The same applies to other districts. On an average, the grants, which in some cases are as low as £20, are not at all sufficient to meet the unemployment position in these districts, and I would respectfully suggest that the Parliamentary Secretary should review the position in the light of my statement.
I want the Deputy to understand that the amount of money allocated in each division is for the purpose of employing the people who are registered as unemployed in that division, and the divisions to which the Deputy refers have got the same crack of the whip as other divisions.
Is it not a fact that Deputy Flynn has voted his confidence in the manner in which these minor employment schemes are being administered?
Thereby showing more intelligence than you show.