asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in view of the serious unemployment situation facing 300 employees of the Laoighis County Council, he is prepared to make a grant available to this council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laoighis Council Employees.
Mr. O'Higgins
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given on the 31st January to a question on this matter by Deputy Davin. The maximum amounts which can be made available to the county council in the current year for works coming under my supervision have already been notified and cannot be increased.
Is the Minister aware that 300 men are to be paid off on Friday next as a result of his refusal to provide grants for work of which he has already approved?
I have provided all the grants that this House provided for me when the Estimates were being prepared by Deputy Davin and the Government which he supported.
What is the difficulty in bringing in a further Supplementary Estimate? It would have been done if a sensible Minister were sitting in your place.
That is not the way that Estimates should be prepared by a responsible Government.
Mr. O'Higgins
Is the Minister aware that the situation which now arises in Laoighis County has never before occurred and that for the last four years temporary unemployment crises have always been surmounted by a friendly and co-operative Minister for Local Government?
The Minister is aware that there is competition between certain Deputies in Laoighis County to derive all the political kudos possible from the fluctuating employment position there.
Mr. O'Higgins
What does the Minister mean by that? Is the Minister prepared to express that more clearly? I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.