asked the Taoiseach if the Government had any schemes in mind of a constructional nature that would relieve unemployment in a substantial way in the City of Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief of Unemployment in Dublin.
3.
It is the Government's stated policy that the State should, in future, participate to an even greater extent than heretofore in developmental activities, including activities which, while not directly commercial, will contribute to the over-all expansion of the economy, help in the achievement of increased production and create new employment opportunities.
In this connection, I have informed —amongst others—the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the Chairman of the Dublin Port and Docks Board that the Government are anxious to receive proposals relating to openings for State investment in important public projects of economic merit, and I have invited suggestions from them for projects of this nature in which the Corporation or the Board would consider it desirable, in the public interest, to engage but which are not included in their present programmes.
I had, very recently, the opportunity of discussing with the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the City Manager the practicability of expediting the Dublin Corporation's building programme and other activities within the Corporation's jurisdiction. I have since been informed that all these matters are receiving attention.
I have indicated my desire to discuss with representatives of the Dublin Corporation and of the Dublin Port and Docks Board, in due course, the suggestions to be put forward by each of those bodies.
I appreciate the Taoiseach's desire and interest in this. In connection with housing, the building of flats will not mean the employment of one extra man. The employment content in the building of flats is lower than that in the building of houses. I ask him to give a direction so that houses rather than flats will be built. I appreciate the rest of his statement.
Would the Taoiseach be prepared to have similar discussions with other local authorities?
I have also written to the Mayor of Limerick, and a communication on the same lines is issuing from the Minister for Local Government to all the major local bodies.
The Taoiseach is taking over all the Departments now.
Would the Taoiseach be prepared to meet the Mayor of Galway in view of the fact that there is so much emigration from there? Laugh that one off!
I have also written to the Mayor of Galway.
What about the Mayor of Wexford?
May I ask if the Taoiseach has written on the same lines to the county managers of Meath and Clare?
If he has not, he will.
There are by-elections pending there too.
(Interruptions.)