asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state to what purpose it is proposed to devote the £32,000 already provided for in the current year's estimates for the completion of works unfinished on 31st March last; and whether, in order to give employment urgently needed, he will expedite the proposals for the utilisation of this sum.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RELIEF WORKS.
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of £32,000 in the Relief Schemes Vote for 1928-29 is intended solely for the completion of works undertaken in connection with the previous year's vote which were unfinished at 31st March last.
The departments which have these works in hand are: The Land Commission, the Department of Local Government and Public Health, the Office of Public Works and the Department of Fisheries. The works in question would include general estate improvement, making and improvements of bog roads, small drainage works, sewerage and water schemes, clearance of housing sites, minor road repairs, etc.
As work in every case was in progress on the 31st March last, the question of expediting the proposals for the utilisation of the vote does not arise.
Is it now clear that there is none of the £32,000 to go to the relief of the unemployed in the city of Dublin during the coming winter months?
I do not know whether any of the £32,000 is being expended in Dublin or not but that is the only relief money available.
Is the Minister aware that the local authorities state that any grants that they have had were exhausted last March, and they have nothing left now for relief? Is he aware that not one man was taken on since 31st March last?
Will the Minister say how much of the £32,000 remains unexpended?
That is a question of which notice will have to be given.