asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of men employed on minor relief or special employment schemes in 1938-39, 1948-49 and 1949-50 in the peak month of each year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment on Relief Schemes.
The number in the peak month of 1938-39 was 35,227; of 1948-49—6,921; and of 1949-50—7,102.
These figures do not include men engaged on the farm improvements scheme, as works under that scheme are executed by the farmers themselves or by their own employees.
The significant decline in the numbers employed is due to three main causes:—
(i) the amount of the Vote in 1938-39 was £250,000 greater than in the two later years;
(ii) wages and the cost of materials have been more than doubled in the intervening period;
(iii) the rotational system for the employment of men was abolished in 1946.