asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the amount available in the current financial year for special employment schemes, and the amount expended on such schemes in 1953, 1954 and 1955, (b) the amounts which it is proposed to allocate to local authorities after 1st November, and (c) whether local authorities have been informed of such allocations and, if not, the reasons for the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Employment Schemes.
I assume that the question refers to employment schemes of local authorities towards which money is provided under the Employment and Emergency Schemes Vote.
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows, viz., (a) the proposed State expenditure on such schemes in 1956-57 is £265,000, and the expenditure in each of the three preceding years was: 1953-54—£364,209, 1954-55—£386,965, and 1955-56— £317,071; (b) the allocation to local authorities for new schemes during the coming winter amounts to £105,000; (c) the allocations have been notified to the local authorities concerned, with the exception of Dublin County Borough where the position is still under review.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there have been cuts in grants to local authorities this year representing about 66? per cent. in most cases, when there is an unprecedented number unemployed in the country and will he reconsider the position in view of the critical state of affairs which exists?
I do not agree with the Deputy's figure.
I asked the Parliamentary Secretary was he aware that these relief scheme grants to all local authorities throughout the State have been cut by approximately 66? per cent. The Limerick figure alone has been reduced from £20,000 to £6,500 and that is a typical example of the grants made to other local authorities.