asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) what proposals have been submitted by Laoighis County Council for bog development schemes, rural improvement schemes and other schemes for the relief of unemployment in the county, (b) what schemes and funds will be provided in order to relieve the distress of unemployed persons, especially in the Abbeylaoighis, Rathdowney, Portlaoighise and Mountrath areas, in view of the fact that Laoighis County Council has had to dismiss almost 300 workers who are now unemployed, and (c) when it is proposed to provide funds for the re-employment of these men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment in Laoighis.
Rural improvements schemes are submitted not by county councils but by the individual farmers benefiting, through their appointed spokesman. Schemes for the development of privately-owned bogs are also submitted by the parties directly concerned. These schemes are not primarily intended for the relief of unemployment. The moneys available in the Employment Schemes Vote are intended to provide a spell of work during the winter months for men in receipt of unemployment assistance. Appropriate provision will be made for County Laoighis in due course. My office has no functions in regard to the employment of men discharged by the county council, except in so far as unemployment assistance recipients are concerned.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary must be aware of the fact that the Laoighis county surveyor has submitted proposals for bog development schemes time and again and the Laoighis County Council has received no communication whatever— not even an acknowledgment — since the schemes were put forward? Is he further aware that the unemployment figures have increased very considerably in the last three months in the area, a fact that calls for immediate action by the Parliamentary Secretary's Office?
So far as the latter part of the supplementary question is concerned regarding an increase in unemployment figures, the opposite is the fact. The figures have decreased by 50 per cent. in that period. So far as bog development schemes are concerned, as pointed out in the question these schemes are not primarily intended for the relief of unemployment. Minor relief schemes are provided for that purpose to cover the period from November to March. Laoighis will get a fair proportion of the money when the programme is being made out, and I think it will be a greater proportion than they got last year or the year before.
Surely the Minister must agree that it would be common sense to give a greater proportion of this money this year to Laoighis, in view of the fact that we have more unemployment there than ever before?
You have no more bogs than before.
We have more unemployed to provide for.
Where did the Government get the bog in which they are stuck at present?