asked the Minister for Finance if he will expedite sanction of the emergency relief schemes for the Christmas period to enable local authorities to provide relief work as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency Relief Schemes.
All proposals submitted to date by the local authorities for the current winter programme of employment schemes are receiving urgent attention and some have, in fact, already been sanctioned. In a few cases suitable schemes have not yet been received from the local authorities and when these come in they will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
We are now only a few weeks from Christmas and the local authorities must provide out of the rates some contribution towards the grant. My council are very anxious that we should get sanction immediately in order to give these unemployed men a chance before Christmas. It is no use starting during Christmas week.
An inspector will be in County Wexford next week. He will examine the matter and I guarantee that everything possible will be done.