asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) what grants will be made available to local authorities to provide employment for unemployed workers prior to Christmas, (b) the estimated number of workers who will be employed under the grants and (c) the average duration of their employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Christmas Unemployed Grants.
Grants amounting to £270,000 have been allocated for special employment schemes in the county boroughs, boroughs and urban districts, and £35,000 for some of the smaller towns. It is expected that the bulk of the schemes will be in operation before Christmas and that at the peak period about 1,700 men will be employed. The period of employment allowed to each worker varies from 12 weeks in Dublin County Borough, to eight weeks in the other county boroughs, boroughs and urban areas and six weeks in the smaller towns.
Could the Minister say how much of that sum will be available for employment in rural areas and what is the employment content there?
I did not give any figure for rural areas.
What does that mean? Does that mean there are none for rural areas? My question is not limited to cities and towns; it covers the whole lot.
Villages and towns are in it also.
They are included?
Yes. There is a sum of £35,000 for some of the smaller towns and villages.
That will not go very far.