asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps, if any, he has taken, during the emergency period, to provide additional trained miners for coal mining in Eire; if he will indicate the number of skilled miners employed at the commencement of emergency period and the number employed at present time; and if, he has any further proposals to make in relation to this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Additional Miners.
All practical steps that can be taken to increase the number of skilled miners are being taken. General underground workers have increased by 96 per cent. since 1940, and surface workers have increased by 237 per cent. in the same period.
To add to the number of mine workers available for employment the provision of additional housing is being actively pursued by my Department, the local authorities and the mine owners.
Would the Minister consider making an appeal to miners to come back from England and Scotland, and from other parts of this country — in fact to have a recruiting drive for that purpose? I understand that Castlecomer colliery could take any number of men underground provided they are trained.
There would be no point in making an appeal of that kind to miners so long as the British Government prevents them travelling to this country. As I told the Dáil, we tried by appealing to all persons registered at employment exchanges, and who had previous experience in mining employment, but none of them are willing to undertake work underground.