asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the officer in charge of the Thurles Labour Bureau informs all applicants for employment that preference will be given to ex-members of the National Army, and, if so, if he will state on whose authority the officer thus acts.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - THURLES LABOUR BUREAU OFFICER'S ACTION.
It is not the fact that the Manager of the Branch Employment Office, Thurles, has informed all applicants that preference for employment would be given only to ex-members of the National Army. In connection with work which is about to be undertaken by the Urban Council under a Government contract, applicants inquiring at the Branch Employment Office have, in accordance with the instructions issued to the managers of all exchanges and branch offices, been informed that the order of preference laid down for work subsidised from Government Funds is as follows:—
I. Ex-National Army men with dependants.
II. Civilians with dependants and ex-National Army men without dependants.
III. Civilians without dependants.
As regards ex-National Army men with pensions getting these positions, are they not getting preferential treatment compared with men who have no pensions?
Will the Parliamentary-Secretary state when he thinks that this preferential treatment can be stopped?
I do not anticipate that it will be stopped for quite a long time.
You are an optimist.