asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the many applications submitted to the Special Employment Schemes Office by farmers in the congested areas for grants towards the erection of small bridges, he will give the applications early consideration, considering the importance of such schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Bridges in Congested Areas.
Proposals for the erection of small bridges are eligible for consideration as minor employment schemes under the usual conditions, but because of their low unskilled labour content they are not generally favoured.
When, however, a small bridge forms an integral part of an accommodation road for which an employment schemes grant has been made, the construction of the bridge is undertaken as part of the work. Many cases of this kind occur each year.
Would it not be possible to transfer these applications to the rural employment scheme where they might be dealt with more expeditiously? If that were so, would the Parliamentary Secretary agree to send to each of those applicants an application form in order to enable them to comply with the conditions in the rural employment scheme?
I will consider that point.