asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that a minor employment scheme for the construction of a road in the townland of Inchinteskin, Eyeries, was cancelled as a result of his Department's failure in recruiting labour in accordance with the Department's specified regulations; and, if so, if he will restore the grant and ensure that the regulations are adhered to in the employment of workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - West Cork Minor Employment Scheme.
15.
As stated in the letter addressed to the Deputy on the 21st March last, the minor employment scheme in Inchinteskin referred to was cancelled because the local farmer beneficiaries refused to let the work proceed by unemployment assistance labour recruited in accordance with the regulations. It is not, therefore, proposed to reinstate the grant.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state how, if the employment was recruited in accordance with the regulations, his Office refused to give me a statement to that effect? Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that his Office was unprepared to stand over that statement that the recruitment of the labour was not a departure from the regulations and if it is now proved that it was a departure, what steps is he going to take to rectify the position?
I am not aware, from any information I have had about this question or from the letter addressed on the 21st March to the Deputy, that the recruitment of labour was not in accordance with the regulations.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary now state that, having regard to his reply, he will send me a letter stating that the men who were employed were actually the men who should be employed and that they were the highest on the unemployment list at the Castletown Exchange? Would the Parliamentary Secretary now give me what his Office refused to give—a statement to that effect? Then I would be satisfied.
Do I take it that the Deputy is opposing the recruitment of labour in accordance with the regulations in this particular scheme in the townlands of Aughabrack, Ardacluggin and Urhin?
I am opposing the abuses to which his Department are subjecting these people in that remote area. That is what I am opposing.