asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that men in receipt of unemployment assistance have been refused work on local authority works schemes by county council stewards operating for the Kerry County Council on Valentia Island; and, if so, whether he will have inquiries made with a view to the employment of these men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Valentia Island Schemes.
The recruitment of men for work on schemes being carried out under the Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949, is a matter for the appropriate local authority, subject to compliance with regulations issued by my Department. I have been informed by the Kerry County Council that these regulations are complied with in the recruitment of labour in County Kerry. If, however, the Deputy is aware of any grounds for complaint in this matter he might send me details.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on a £600 scheme in the district there are only eight men employed, and will he have inquiries made into the matter? The point I make is that men in receipt of unemployment assistance have been refused work there. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are three local works schemes altogether in the Island, and there are only 24 men employed in these schemes, the value of which totals approximately £1,000? Is he aware that either the local surveyor or the engineers in charge are not carrying out their duties properly, and will he have inquiries made?
As I suggested before to another Deputy from South Kerry, if there are any specific complaints the Minister ought to be made aware of them. I would like to say also that the regulations for the recruitment of workers under these Local Authorities (Works) Schemes are the very same regulations as were sent to local authorities in connection with ordinary road work employment.