asked the Minister for Local Government whether the wage content of moneys expended on county and main roads is higher where local, in preference to central, quarries are used; and, if the relevant data is not available, if he will arrange for its production by a cost accountant, in the interests of increasing employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wage Content of Road Expenditure.
The wage content of road works is usually higher where local quarries are used, but generally the difference is not very great because the higher cost of local stone on the road leaves less money available for work on the road. The position can vary, however, from area to area depending on such factors as the cost of transport.
The question of achieving a reasonable balance between making the best use of the limited moneys available and the provision of employment is one for each road authority to decide, having regard to local conditions. I do not consider that the employment of a cost accountant to produce figures on the lines suggested by the Deputy would serve any purpose. Any investigations required to deal with a particular problem can be adequately conducted by the staffs of the local authorities.