asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the unemployment situation in Cork County in regard to road workers, and, if so, if he will state what grants will be made available by his Department to relieve unemployment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployed Road Workers in Cork.
The grants available from my Department towards the execution of road works in the current financial year have already been fully allocated. I am not yet in a position to indicate the grants that will be available for next financial year, but hope to be in a position to notify them to the county councils in the near future.
Is the Minister aware that this unemployment has been caused by the wiping out of the operations of the Local Authorities (Works) Act and will he and his colleagues consider commencing works again under that worthwhile scheme to absorb the serious unemployment in North Cork at the moment?
I am not so aware, but I am aware that it was brought about by other actions than the wiping out of the Local Authorities (Works) Act.
If he is not so aware, may I direct his attention to the statement of his colleague, Deputy Mooney, as reported in the Argus of the 8th February, 1958?
Quotations are not allowed during Question Time.
Then I will dispense with the quotation. Deputy Mooney had a word to say about the situation created in Aghabog by the suspension of the Public Works Act and, if the Minister does not know that, will he go into a secluded corner with Deputy Mooney and ask him to tell him? I shall send him the Argus if he would like to read it.