asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the fact that a number of men at present employed by the Office of Public Works at Dún Laoghaire are about to have their services terminated; that many of these men are married; and that it would be a very considerable hardship at present if they were disemployed; and if he will endeavour to retain these men in employment, and expedite commencement of further works proposed for Dún Laoghaire by the Office of Public Works.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disemployment of Dún Laoghaire Workers.
8.
Some redundancy of workers at Dún Laoghaire Harbour has been unavoidable in the circumstances explained in reply to a question by the Deputy on 13th December, 1962. All the men that can possibly be usefully employed have been retained, and only nine out of 130 have been let go. I am advised that the car-ferry proposal is now in its final stages of consideration by the British authorities, and an early and favourable decision is hoped for. We will put the further works in hands as soon as possible.
Does that mean that the men might be re-employed at a reasonably early date?
I expect so.
Maybe the Parliamentary Secretary would ensure that the first in, last out rule will operate. There seems to be some dissatisfaction that some of those who were employed subsequently are being retained in preference to those who were employed earlier.
We always give consideration to that, but might I point out to the Deputy that the number employed on the Dún Laoghaire harbour work has risen from 75 in 1956 to 120 this year.
That does not invalidate the operation of the rule.