asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that for over four months an average of 35 of the members of the Cork Masons, Bricklayers, Paviours and Tilers Society have been idle in Cork; that 20 of their members had to travel to other countries to get employment and also that there was no scarcity of skilled labour in Cork; and whether, in view of the scarcity of houses for our people and the availability of labour and materials, he will indicate the steps he is taking to remedy this deplorable state of affairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Skilled Labour in Cork.
Mr. Murphy
I saw a letter in the Cork Examiner of 26th November from the Cork and District Operative Society of the Masons, Bricklayers, Paviours and Tilers which gave figures similar to those quoted by the Deputy. So far as I am concerned the Deputy will be aware that I have given the closest attention to the housing programme in Cork City. I have left no doubt of my desire that the housing output in Cork should be immediately expanded. I made a personal investigation of the position last April and I have personally and through my inspectors kept up pressure in the matter ever since.
Schemes for the erection of 42 houses and for the development of sites for 192 houses are in progress and the construction of 100 further houses by direct labour has commenced. The Corporation have in their possession additional housing sites amounting to 175 acres of which 172 acres were acquired as far back as the period 1933 to 1938. I approved in August last of the employment of an outside Architect to enable the preparation of plans for those sites to be expedited.
I hope that the local authority of which the Deputy is a member will accord a full and immediate response to my pressure for a continuous and expanding housing programme and that this will result in a steadily growing volume of secure employment and in the elimination of the booms and depressions which have been such an unsatisfactory feature of the building trade in the past.
Is the Minister aware that, due to his interference, the whole building industry in Cork is disorganised? I have a letter here from the Department of Social Welfare dated yesterday in which it is stated that 193 members of the building industry are walking the streets of the city?
Letters may not be read at Question Time.