andMr. H.P. Dockrell asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a number of men, including married men with families, who were employed by the Office of Public Works at Dún Laoghaire, had their services terminated; and, if so, he will take steps to have these men re-employed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Office of Works Employees.
The men referred to were taken on for the work of providing the extra accommodation at Dún Laoghaire mail boat pier and were discharged as that work drew to a close. The work is now virtually complete and affords no scope for the re-employment of these men.
There is no other work at present available which can be offered them.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that of the men laid off many of them have very good service and that men have been retained with very short service? In a certain case one man was laid off who had good service, the sole excuse being that he had to transfer from Dublin to Dún Laoghaire, while one man with short service was kept on. No other excuse has been offered except that this man with longer service had not some special qualifications. In connection with the termination of the work, is it correct that a further scheme was expected to be opened?
I am advised that the length of service is one of the factors taken into consideration but the suitability of the men for the special requirements of the work is also another consideration. Anyone who was laid off with a length of service must not have the second qualification which is desirable. As far as the second scheme is concerned, I know nothing whatever about it but if the borough corporation promotes any special employment scheme in the area the men laid off, if they are then on unemployment assistance, must take their chance with the men similarly unemployed.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary inquire into the matter personally because, as far as I am aware, the only qualifications some of the men had that were retained were that they were young men? The only mark against the other men who had considerable service was that they were advanced in years. Does the Parliamentary Secretary stand for that?