asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether any schemes for the relief of the unemployed have been submitted to him by the local authority in Dublin City, and whether any funds are available for this purpose.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUBLIN RELIEF SCHEMES.
The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
Will the Minister hold out any hope that something will be done in the near future for the Dublin unemployed, and might I ask him whether he is aware that there are 7,000 disappointed applicants for relief work out of the grant promised during the Christmas season, who got no employment since?
As far as unemployment goes, that is a matter for the making of representations to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. So far as relief goes, it is a matter for the Dublin Commissioners. As far as the Department of Local Government and public Health is concerned I want to say that the last grant from the Road Fund to the City Commissioners was notified in April last. That was approximately £20,000, and I expect that before the end of this month there will be considerable employment given as a result of the going ahead of work under that grant.
Is the Minister satisfied to leave things as they are and to leave the unemployed in the slums of Dublin in the condition that they are in at the moment? Has the Minister any knowledge of the condition of the unemployed in Dublin?
Yes.
Can the Minister state what is the date that has been fixed for the next Seanad election?
And what interest has the Deputy in that?
Might I suggest to the Chairman that he would publish a pamphlet teaching the Deputies manners. This is the second time I have been insulted by scurrilous remarks.
I was going to ask if the Minister will have a relief scheme in preparation and readiness for the next parliamentary election?