asked the Minister for Local Government if he expects any disemployment of county council roadworkers during the remainder of the year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Council Road Workers.
19.
While it is for the road authorities to determine the course of their works programmes and, therefore, the patterns of employment throughout the year, I have advised them to aim at a reasonable level of regularity in employment. The information available to me does not indicate that there will be a reduction in the normal level of the employment of such workers during the remainder of the year.
Would the Minister indicate whether the mileage of main and county roads will be as great as it was in the past couple of years or whether there will be a reduction? If there is a reduction does it not seem reasonable to expect a reduction in employment?
The total Road Fund allocation in 1975 was £21.6 million compared with £16 million in 1974 and £21.3 million for the 12-month period——
I am talking about road mileage.
Deputy Gibbons can be assured there will not be any lay off of roadworkers any more than in previous years. They are now pensionable employees of local authorities and I will ensure that they will not be laid off employment.
The Minister omitted to answer the question I asked, which was whether there will be a drop in the mileage of road works on main and county roads this year by comparison with years gone by.
If Deputy Gibbons wanted that reply he should have put down a question. I answered the question he put down.
Is there any indication that there will be a drop in the overall number of roadworkers, bearing in mind the distinction between those who are permanently employed and those who have been traditionally regarded as temporary employees?
I do not expect there will be a drop. Indeed I would imagine that the number employed will be somewhat higher than in previous years because scheduled works are being done differently than in previous years.
Is the Minister aware that Galway County Council were informed by the county manager that he will do his utmost to retain in employment full-time road workers but that he cannot give a guarantee he will have the same level of work for those who have been traditionally employed temporarily? Is he aware that council vehicles are being used to transport permanent workers long distances to work in areas where they were not traditionally working in order to try to keep the permanent workers in employment and that those who were temporarily employed are not now getting that type of employment?
Five years ago a scheme was devised whereby permanent workers were brought from one area to another to keep them in employment. I have not altered the system. If the Galway County Manager has got the views attributed to him, I am rather surprised he has not brought it to the notice of the Department. I do not expect there would be any reduction in the numbers employed. Indeed I expect there will be more people employed for longer periods this year.