asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the number of persons employed by the Birr Urban District Council on all kinds of turf-producing operations during the week ended May 10th, 1941 (or the latest date for which the information is available); the acreage of bogs acquired by them for this purpose, and whether all available unemployed persons registered at the Birr Labour Exchange are at present employed on this work, and, if not, whether he will state the percentage of such persons so employed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Birr Turf-Producing Operations.
I am informed that the number of persons employed by the council on turf production during week ended 10th May was 71. The Birr Urban District Council have not acquired any bogs, but have been given permission by the owner to cut turf on the Annagh bog. Of the 71 persons so employed by the council, 53 had formerly been registering at the Birr Employment Exchange. I am not in a position to state what percentage of men who were formerly registering at the employment exchange are now employed on turf-cutting.