asked the Taoiseach whether he is aware that in the County Dublin area a big number of homes has been broken up as a result of the unemployment position and that there is large scale emigration from the area; and, if so, what particular steps the Government will take to prevent the break-up of so many homes in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment in County Dublin.
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy.
While there has, regrettably, been some increase recently in the numbers on the Live Register in County Dublin, no statistics of emigration are available since those based on the Preliminary Report of the Census of Population of April, 1956.
In reply to questions addressed to me in this House on the 24th and 31st October, 1956, I referred to the Government's decisions publicly announced by me on the 5th October, which, as I pointed out, constitute a practical, constructive programme designed to give effect to our policy of promoting an expanding economy, a lasting reduction in unemployment and a lasting and progressive increase in productive employment. Since then— on the 23rd November—details were announced of the apportionment of the sum of £1,000,000 which the Government decided to make available for expenditure on certain works during the remainder of the current financial year. As the House has already been informed, where local authorities are concerned with projects to which this money is to be applied, the allocations to the different local authorities will be made in the manner and subject to the conditions applicable to previous similar allocations, and the time at which payment from such allocations will be made to a local authority concerned will depend, as heretofore, on the progress made by the local authority within the purposes for which the allocations have been made.
The following list of works of a public character in the County Dublin area that either are already in progress or will commence in the early future includes, in the case of certain items, allocations out of the sum of £1,000,000 to which I have referred:-
|
Nature of works. |
Total estimated cost. |
|
£ |
|
|
Sewerage and water schemes |
478,620 |
|
Housing: County Council schemes |
370,000 |
|
Road works (provision for year ending 31st March, 1957) |
344,538 |
|
Local Authorities (Works) Act, 1949 |
12,500 |
|
Special employment schemes |
2,460 |
|
Tourist development (improvement of beaches) |
5,000 |
|
Transport |
3,000 |
|
Airport construction |
49,149 |
|
Electricity Supply Board |
15,000 |
|
National Schools |
106,300 |
|
Vocational Schools (estimated expenditure in year ending 31st March, 1957) |
109,000 |
|
Land rehabilitation |
22,000 |
|
Abbotstown Farm |
20,000 |
|
Hospital building |
135,000 |
|
Site-clearance on lands of University College, Dublin, at Dolfield, Stillorgan Road |
20,000 |
I expect that the foregoing list will help to satisfy the Deputy that the County Dublin area is very far from being neglected so far as employment-giving works of a public character are concerned.
I should add, in regard to industrial developments, that, quite apart from proposals affecting the County Borough of Dublin it is estimated that new industrial undertakings or extensions to existing concerns to go into production before the end of 1957 will ultimately provide employment for about 100 persons in the County Dublin area. This estimate is based on the industrial proposals at present before the Department of Industry and Commerce or the Industrial Development Authority and, of course, takes no account of any further proposals that may come forward for consideration. In addition, the allocation of £100,000 which is being made to the E.S.B. out of the sum of £1,000,000 already mentioned, to enable the board to purchase further supplies from home sources for the purposes of rural electrification, may be expected to have favourable effects on employment in the County Dublin area.
The Taoiseach said he was not aware that there was a large number of homes broken up in County Dublin as a result of unemployment. I want to ask him will he carry out a survey of my constituency? He will find that there is a number of homes broken up as a result of unemployment and the position is very serious. While the Taoiseach has read out a very glowing statement here of all the works in County Dublin, it is very little good to the people who have been thrown out of employment and who are emigrating day after day. I suggest that the position is very serious in County Dublin and I want the Taoiseach to carry out a survey, to prove that the statements I have made here are true.
The Deputy is making a statement. He admits that.