asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state the number of road workers employed by the Donegal County Council (a) on 1st June, 1953, and (b) on 1st November, 1953.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Workers in County Donegal.
The number of men employed by Donegal County Council on road works at the end of May, 1953, and October, 1953, was 984 and 1,237, respectively. Returns are not compiled for the first of the month.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is the Minister aware that it is the practice in some areas to hold over minor employment schemes sanctioned at this time of the year until the regular county council workers are in a position to carry them out? Would the Minister not consider advising county council that these schemes can be given to small farmers who are unemployed at this particular time of the year?
I am not aware that the practice referred to by the Deputy exists. I imagine that the county councils and their engineers should be capable of deciding the most appropriate time at which to start work on these schemes.