asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the Westmeath County Council suspended on the 3rd April, 1926, over six hundred road workers, owing to the bad financial state of the Council; if he is aware that the unemployment benefit due to these men will cease on 29th April, 1926, and whether, in view of this fact, he will state when he will be in a position to distribute the grants from the Road Fund, as promised by him.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ROAD FUND GRANTS (WESTMEATH).
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The facts do not appear to be as stated by the Deputy. My information is that 130 men were released for farm work and that the County Council will resume their full programme in about one week from now.
Is the Minister aware that the Westmeath County Council employed permanently about 400 men, and that the remainder are men engaged on relief work? There are about 600 men altogether suspended whose employment benefit is exhausted. Is the Minister able to say when part of the Road Grant will be given?
I hope to be in a position to notify at an early date when grants from the Road Fund will be made.
Will the Minister be able to give that information this week?
No.