asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a decision has been made to cease production on the Bord na Móna bogs in County Roscommon with the exception of Mountdillon; and, if so, if he will state what steps are being taken to have alternative means of employment made available for the families whose livelihood is involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Roscommon Bogs— Stoppage of Work.
The bogs in question, together with a number of other bogs in different parts of the country, were worked by Bord na Móna under a special emergency scheme for the production of turf by semi-automatic machines on small bogs. This scheme is being discontinued for reasons which were fully dealt with in the reply which I gave on 25th February to a similar question relating to another area. Bord na Móna will shortly be recruiting workers for employment on its permanent bogs, and I understand that employment for approximately 80 workers will be offered at Mountdillon. Houses are available at Mountdillon for suitable turf workers. The Department of Local Government and the Special Employment Schemes Office have been requested to give special consideration to the possibility of promoting other employment-giving schemes in the areas concerned.