asked the Minister for Local Government the number employed at present in house building by Cork Corporation direct labour unit, and the number employed on corresponding dates over the last six years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Corporation Direct Labour Unit: Building Employment.
25.
The number of men employed on house building by Cork Corporation direct labour unit at 30th April last was 116. The numbers employed at the corresponding date in the years 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955 and 1954 were 274, 285, 296, 320, 244 and 261, respectively.
Could the Minister indicate to the House the reason for the decrease in the number so employed?
I would suggest to the Deputy that he is well aware that that is the level of building accepted by my Department and agreed to by his corporation.
Is the Minister aware there are grave differences between the Corporation and his Department as to the housing needs in Cork city?
The Deputy will also be aware that any differences that arose were not from any lack of consideration at my end but rather at the end of the Corporation.
Is the Minister aware that quite an amount of the delay in respect of housing in Cork City was in his Department?
Deputies might like to know—some of them may already know—that the delay occurred because information of vital importance which was sought by my Department and was available in the Corporation was not forwarded until a very recent date.