asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any statement to make concerning arrangements for finding alternative employment for the recently dismissed employees of Fuel Importers, Limited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employees of Fuel Importers, Limited.
When sales of coal from the dump stocks were suspended, Fuel Importers (Eire), Limited, found itself with a number of workmen in its employment for whom work was no longer available. The company sought for means of securing alternative employment for the men concerned and, in co-operation with the Commissioners of Public Works, has succeeded in finding work for 30 of them in rehabilitating those portions of the Phoenix Park grounds which have been cleared of turf and coal.
Can the Taoiseach say if there is any hope of having the remainder of these men, 190 odd, employed in the near future? Is the Taoiseach aware that a representative of these men who called on me showed me a communication from the Minister, dated 1948, in which he promised to secure alternative employment for them?
Every effort is being made to fulfil that promise. I have not got the precise letter to which the Deputy refers before me, but if such promise was made, the Deputy may be assured that every effort will be made to carry it out.