asked the Minister for Local Government if he will have money provided to enable Laoighis County Council to re-employ 300 workers whom they had to dismiss, and if he will have the grant under the Local Authorities (Works) Act increased in order to make work available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authorities (Works) Act.
Increased Road Fund grants and an interim allocation of grant for works under the Local Authorities (Works) Act have been notified to the Laoighis County Council. The council has also been informed that the execution of their various works programmes should be timed so as not to interfere with agricultural or turf production in the area and so as to avoid undue seasonal fluctuations in the employment of labour. It is a matter for the local authority to arrange its programmes of works accordingly.
Surely the members of the Laoighis County Council are in a better position than the Minister to know that the council was compelled to dismiss 300 men. We are well aware of the fact that funds have not been made available by the Minister's Department for the re-employment of these men. Is the Minister aware of the fact that the local authorities works programmes are by no means as great this year as they were last year or the year before that?
I have not been asked that question. If the Deputy thought fit to seek information for himself and the House in relation to that matter he should have included these questions on the Order Paper.
The question addressed to the Minister is: To ask the Minister for Local Government if he will provide money to enable Laoighis County Council to re-employ 300 workers?
My answer to that question is that I have already done so.
But the 300 workers have not been re-employed.
Will I read my reply again?
Yes.
"Increased Road Fund grants and an interim allocation for works under the Local Authorities (Works) Act have been notified to the Laoighis County Council".
May I take it that as a result of the Minister's favourable reply in that respect these 300 men will be re-employed with the least possible delay by the county council?
May I also remind the Deputy that in the concluding portion of my reply I have stated:—
"It is a matter for the local authority to arrange its programmes of works accordingly."
I am sure the Deputy does not expect me to go down and arrange the programme for him and them?
I would be very sorry if that were the Minister's function. I hope these 300 men will be re-employed right away.