asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in some districts of West Cork because of the procedure adopted by the Special Employment Schemes Office in the recruitment of gangers and labourers in the area, and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recruitment of Workers.
I am aware that the Deputy expressed dissatisfaction with regard to (1) the recruitment of labourers on one scheme in the Dunmanway area and (2) the delay that occurred in employing a particular ganger in the Adrigole district. The situation in regard to the Dunmanway scheme was fully explained to the Deputy in a letter from the Special Employment Schemes Office, dated 19th March, 1955, and the circumstances regarding the Adrigole appointment were adequately explained in the letter dated 26th January, 1955, from my office. I do not, therefore, propose to take any further action in the matter.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the representations made by me from time to time were of a general nature and I gave him several instances where the recruitment of gangers and labourers was made on a political basis? I feel sure he has received from another Deputy from West Cork similar representations that the work of the Special Employment Schemes Office is carried out on a political basis. Deputy Collins will confirm that, because I believe he has made similar representations. It has happened in the Dnnmanway area, in the Berehaven peninsula and all over the place and in view of the fact that two agents employed by your office are political agents I want to know if you intend to take further steps in this matter?
I suppose there is not a Deputy in the House who does not make those charges.
These are well-founded charges.
The regulations regarding the appointment of gangers provide that preference should be given to persons who have previously been employed on similar schemes and who have given proof of their competence and trustworthiness. Where a suitable ganger with previous experience is not available, preference is given to any suitable person submitted by the employment exchange, and if no suitable person is available from that source, the inspector is free to appoint the most suitable and competent person available from any other source.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that in the Leap district on a scheme last year the ganger appointed there had great difficulty in getting sufficient Fianna Fáil men to man the job? He had to travel very far afield to secure them.
The Deputy has made a charge that two inspectors in an area employed people because they belonged to a particular political Party. If the Deputy will send that information into my office——
Certainly, I will.
No. 42.
I have explained the matter also to the director of the office in so far as employment——
I have called the next question.