asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the ever-increasing number of men being disemployed by the Meath County Council during the past few months, and if it is his intention to restore the country council grants to last year's level to restore employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Meath Unemployment.
As regards the first part of the question, the number of men employed by Meath County Council in the present month on read works and on schemes under the Local Authorities (Works) Act is higher than in any of the three preceding months. As regards the second part of the question, the amounts available by way of grant for the current year in respect of road works were notified to the Meath County Council last February and cannot now be increased. The grant for works under the Local Authorities (Works) Act has been fixed at £70,000 and is generous in relation to the total sum provided for this service in the current year's vote.
Is the Minister aware that at a recent county council meeting in the courthouse scores of men came in begging for work and there was no money available to provide work for them? Is he aware that that did not happen during the last five or six years and that, if that is now going to continue, it means these men will have to emigrate?
The Minister is not aware how many men came into the courthouse at last county council meeting but the Minister has before him a statement giving the figures for the number of men employed and the statement he made in reply is that the position is now more favourable. He also stated that the allocation for the Meath County Council is a generous one of £70,000, having regard to the fact that the total estimate was reduced by £530,000 but not by me.
You voted against the Local Authorities (Works) Act.
I did not.
You did.
I did not.
Order!
Is the Minister aware that the engineer told us he would have to sack one out of every three men employed for lack of funds?
I am not responsible for what the engineer tells the Deputy. I am only responsible for stating facts. I have stated facts but the Deputy may, of course, not be capable of comprehending them.