asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the serious position in the Arigna area with regard to the unemployment situation arising from the lack of demand for coal; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arigna Unemployment Situation.
9.
The information available to me does not suggest the existence of a serious position in the Arigna area and I am not satisfied that any steps beyond the existing policy of giving preference to Arigna coal and other native fuels for use in State, semi-State and local authority institutions are either necessary or practicable. As the Deputy is no doubt aware a substantial portion (45,000 tons per year) of the output of Arigna coal is consumed in the local electricity generating station which was commissioned in October 1958.
Is the Minister aware that since Christmas from one mine alone over 23 men have been dismissed and that 20 of these have gone to England? Is he also aware that a major company in the Arigna area producing coal and employing 300 men, for some time back has had men working on a five-day week basis? In view of the fact that one company alone in the Arigna area is capable of supplying the power station with all the fuel it needs—50,000 tons—will the Minister in these circumstances say what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the livelihoods of the majority of the miners in the area rather than that they should be forced to emigrate?
I am afraid I cannot comment on the accuracy of the figures just given by the Deputy, but I should like to refer him to the fact that, in 1959, the total production of coal in the Arigna area was 64,309 tons. Of that amount, as I have already stated, the local electricity generating station consumed 45,000 tons, which is just short of 75 per cent. of the total consumption. I am also informed that the unemployment figure related to mine workers in the local office—which is Carrick-on-Shannon— supplied by the Department of Social Welfare at the end of February, 1960, was 19, which was 10 less than in the corresponding period last year.
Does the Minister not accept the fact that 20 men have actually emigrated? I am not querying the position in regard to how many are registered. I asked the Minister if he is aware that 20 men have gone from the locality since Christmas, due to the fact that the demand for their services is not there? May I put it this way? Will the Minister not consider giving protection to this extent, that where the raw material is produced within the country, the people who produce that raw material are at least equally entitled to protection as the people who are in assembly industry elsewhere? First class employment was being given in this industry and if, as a result of State and semi-State companies turning over to oil, they lose their employment, is there not a case to be made to prohibit these bodies using oil when native fuel is available?
Will the Minister say whether or not there was a recent prohibition on the importation of anthracite?
That is a separate question.
Does the Minister happen to know that one small mine in Arigna which formerly got regular orders from a semi-State body is not now getting the orders and is in imminent danger of having to close down?
I shall inquire into that.