asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the number of workers employed by the E.S.B. on rural electrification, who are likely to be laid off before the end of the present year by reason of the tapering-off process to which he has referred, and (b) the average number it is intended to employ on this work during 1957.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification Workers.
Mr. Lemass
I am informed by the E.S.B. that there are at present, approximately, 2,500 men engaged on rural electrification work and that it is estimated that by the end of this year this number will be reduced by between 600 and 800. I am also informed that this reduction will affect mainly casual labourers who are recruited locally when work commences in an area and are laid off on completion of the particular area. The Board have pointed out that the reduction in the number of casual labourers does not mean that these men will be laid off before their normal time.
As I have already indicated the rate of development under the rural electrification scheme in 1957-58 is still the subject of discussion with the Board and in the circumstances I am not in a position to furnish a reply to the latter part of the Deputy's question.