asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that due to the shortage of cement the Dublin Corporation is being handicapped in the carrying out of its extensive programme for the provision of houses for the working classes; and, if so, if he will indicate whether he is prepared to take any steps to remedy the situation such as the provision of arrangements whereby the corporation, one of the largest consumers of cement in the country, would be enabled to purchase direct from Cement, Limited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Supplies.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is a fact that the Irish Cement Company refuses to make cement available for the housing requirements of the Dublin Corporation except through builders' providers and that, as a result, the housing programme of the Dublin Corporation is being imperilled; and, if so, whether he is prepared to take steps to ensure that priority in the supply of cement is given to the housing requirements of the Dublin Corporation and other public local authorities.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the housing drive of the Dublin Corporation is being delayed through the fact that the corporation is not a direct purchaser of cement, which it is stated is now in short supply, that as a result of the failure to get increased supplies, certain skilled operatives signing at the employment exchange are deprived of work and have also been refused travel permits to take up employment in Great Britain; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, and 9 together.
As a result of the strike of the employees of Cement Limited in April and May last there was for a short time afterwards some falling off in the supplies of cement. In recent weeks, however, the company has taken exceptional measures to overcome this shortage, particularly in the case of large users, such as the Dublin Corporation. These measures included the running of special trains, by arrangement with the city engineer, on each of the last three Saturdays by which a substantial additional tonnage of cement was made available to the Dublin Corporation. The suggestion that the corporation is not getting its appropriate share of available supplies from the distributors is being examined.
I have no reason to believe that the suggestion that the Dublin Corporation should be allowed to purchase its supplies direct from Cement Limited, rather than through its recognised distributors, would improve the position.
Is the Minister aware, particularly in the case of the direct supplies which have been furnished in recent weeks, as he has indicated in his reply, that these are charged not to the Dublin Corporation but to builders' providers who take a rake off the price for themselves without handling the cement? Would the Minister be prepared to take steps to ensure that supplies are sold direct to the Dublin Corporation by the Irish Cement Company as is done in the case of Aer Lingus?
The Deputy will appreciate that the question which he now raises has nothing to do with the volume of cement available to the Dublin Corporation. There may be a case for reviewing the distribution methods employed by Cement Limited, but it does not directly relate to the subject-matter of the question which I have answered.
I think the Minister is aware that for a period of time builders' providers only could get cement.
There is one suggestion that, although the quantity of cement coming in is as high as usual, the Dublin Corporation is not getting its full share of it. That is being examined. Because of that, this arrangement was made during recent weeks to bring extra trainloads to the Dublin Corporation.
Mr. Byrne
The Minister has not answered the last part of my question which asks whether he is aware that "certain skilled operatives signing at the employment exchange are deprived of work and have also been refused travel permits to take up employment in Great Britain; and if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter."
None.
Mr. Byrne
Skilled men, such as plasterers, are urgently wanted for building, but they are now deprived of any work. The labour exchange will not give them a permit to go and get work elsewhere. I suggest they should give them a retaining fee if they are going to hold their services here and not give them wages.
The number of skilled workers deprived of employment by reason of the shortage of cement is not very considerable. There was some dislocation of employment following the strike at the cement works, but I should point out to the Deputy that, with the holiday season now coming on, any accumulated scarcity will certainly be quickly removed and stocks of cement will be available.
Mr. Byrne
The Minister has not answered the question. There are men who have work to go to in England, but the labour exchange will not let them go, and they can get no wages while they are idle here.
I have no particulars of any such cases.
Is it not a fact that the labour exchange has no authority to prevent those people seeking permission to go to employment elsewhere if they so desire?
It is not a function of the labour exchange.