asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that a number of men on Valentia Island worked on the mainland during the emergency and up to 1946 on turf production schemes; that in the year 1947 they were unable to do so owing to the lack of adequate transport services; that under the existing regulations providing for the re-employment of turf workers they are debarred from employment as they were not engaged on turf production in the datum year, i.e., 1947; and if, in view of the fact that this occurred through no fault of their own, he will ensure that they are offered alternative employment at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment for Valentia Island Turf Workers.
I have no information on the cases to which the Deputy refers, but in any event it would not be possible to make an exception in favour of persons not covered by the conditions governing employment under the special schemes initiated to provide work for those employed on turf production last year. The grants for these schemes were allocated for the specific purpose of avoiding a sudden break in the expectations of those who were actually employed last year, and it is not possible to vary the conditions on which they were allocated.
I am having the matter examined with a view to seeing whether it is possible in the special circumstances to bring these workers within the scope of the scheme for the re-employment of turf workers.