asked the Minister for Local Government if there has been any reduction in the number of council workers in County Wexford this year as against last year, and, if so, if he will state the extent of the reduction, and the reason for it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Council Workers.
Full information on the number of workers employed by the Wexford County Council is not available in the records of my Department but returns submitted by the local authority of the numbers employed on direct labour housing, roads and schemes under the Local Authorities (Works) Act show a reduction of 90 in the number of workers employed on such works at end of January, 1958, as compared with January, 1957. The main reasons for the reduction are the cessation of direct labour housing construction and of grants under the Local Authorities (Works) Act. The cessation of direct labour housing construction is due partly to the satisfaction of housing needs in many areas of the county and partly to the fact that building by contract has been found to be appreciably more economical in County Wexford than building by direct labour.