asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that a number of men are being discharged from work in the slate quarries in County Cork owing to lack of work, consequent on depression in the industry, while foreign slate is being used in large quantities by people receiving grants under the Housing (Building Facilities) Acts, and whether he will consider the advisability of adopting regulations compelling applicants for such grants to use Irish slate.
ORAL ANSWERS. - USE OF IRISH SLATE.
As regards the first part of this question, I have no information. I am aware that foreign slates and imported artificial slates are being used by persons erecting houses under the Housing Acts. Generally speaking, the Department advocates the use of Irish slates wherever possible. In the general outline specification issued by the Department preference is indicated for the use of first quality slates from the Benduff, Killaloe, Carrick-on-Suir or other approved quarries in Saorstát Eireann. Having regard, however, to the difference in cost between first quality native slates and imported artificial slates I do not consider it desirable to compel the use of Irish slates only.
Mr. MURPHY
Does not the Minister consider that where the taxpayers are helping to build houses for people by contributing money, and are also contributing to home assistance funds for the maintenance of people thrown out of work, that this state of affairs calls for more action than the Minister's Department has taken?
Everything that it is possible to do to encourage the use of Irish slates is done, but when you consider that the difference between the cost of natural Irish slates and imported artificial slates in the case of an ordinary five-roomed house is about £18, the inadvisability of definitely compelling people to use Irish slates is obvious.