asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has laid down rules for local authorities to the effect that contractors employed by them on housing schemes are to be engaged by them on the conditions that they employ local labour andproperly qualified tradesmen; if so, whether he is aware that a contractor employed by a local authority on a housing scheme in Offaly has refused to employ local qualified tradesmen but has employed an unqualified man from another county instead; that the local authority has taken no action in the matter and that a local tradesman has now had to emigrate to England to find work; finally, if he will state whether he will hold an inquiry into this case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment in Offaly Housing Scheme.
The conditions of contract for housing schemes normally include a clause providing for the employment of local labour and providing that the permission of the housing authority's architect must be obtained by the contractor if employment of outside labour is proposed. In the case of the housing scheme at Birr it is understood from the local authority that the contractor concerned is employing local labour in accordance with the conditions of contract for the scheme but that he has engaged a subcontractor, who is a skilled tradesman, to carry out the electrical work. In the circumstances, any further inquiry by me into the matter appears unnecessary.