asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate (1) the number of men employed by Fuel Importers Limited, and/or Bord na Móna in or adjacent to Cork City for each month of the years 1946 to 1950, to date; (2) the number who were discharged during the past three months, and (3) the alternative employment which the Minister proposes to offer them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Importers' Employees (Cork).
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together. Bord na Móna holds no stocks in the neighbourhood of Cork. The number of fuel dumps held by Fuel Importers (Éire) Limited in Cork is seven. In these dumps some 20,500 tons of turf are stored. Of this total, about 8,000 tons are usable, or can be brought into a usable condition. The stocks have been lying in the dumps for periods varying from two and a half to three years.
The selection of the dump sites, and the settlement of the rents to be paid for their occupation was left to the company. The employees of the company in Cork varied in numbers from time to time within wide limits. The number was at its peak in December, 1947, when it reached 167. The numbers in the company's employment in Cork have now fallen to 11. One hundred and nine men were discharged in the past three months. My Department is not engaged in any activities where they could be absorbed.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this turf is not by any means usable? It has been under all kinds of weather for the past three and a half years and the only way it can be disposed of now is to give it out under the cheap fuel scheme.
The Deputy did not think that I could sell it?
They are paying a very high rent for it.