asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the services of a number of employees on the Domville estate, Santry, County Dublin (now the property of Grangegorman Mental Hospital), have been dispensed with; and, further, if he is aware that these men have had service ranging from 20 to 50 years on the Domville estate; and if he will state the reason for their services being dispensed with; and, further, if he is prepared to make representations regarding continued employment for them or that they should be given compensation or a pension.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Domville Estate Employees.
The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the services of four labourers were dispensed with. The information in my Department would indicate that only one of them had been employed on the farm for over 20 years. There did not appear to be any need or justification for the continuance of the high outlay involved in the working of the farm by the employment of 15 agricultural labourers. It was necessary to place the working of the farm on a more economic basis, and the joint committee of management decided to reduce the number of labourers by four.
In view of all the facts, it would not be open to me to make representations for the re-employment of the labourers on the farm. The suggestion that compensation or pension be awarded in such cases could not be entertained. Any such expenditure would constitute an illegal charge on the funds of the committee.