asked the Minister for Finance what proposals he has, if any, to absorb into alternative employment supervisors, gangers and workers, who will be disemployed owing to drastic curtailment of minor employment schemes and bog development schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minor Employment and Bog Development Schemes.
5.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 10th March, 1966, on this subject. I would also point out that only supervisors were employed wholetime on these schemes and they are being retained in employment, apart from four who had already passed the normal retiring age. The employment afforded to other workers is casual and short term, generally, in the case of labourers, not more than a few weeks duration. In future, employment will be available only under the Rural Improvements Scheme. Additionally, these areas will derive enduring benefits from the measures which the Government have taken to stimulate economic activity in the West and referred to in some detail in the Financial Statement of 9th March, 1966.
6.
asked the Minister for Finance if work on roads and drains under minor employment schemes and bog development schemes already inspected and the costs estimated therefor will be carried out in the year 1966-67.
Grants for accommodation and bog roads and for minor drainage works are now available only under the Rural Improvements Scheme. Persons who applied for Minor Employment or Bog Development Schemes grants during the past year will be given an opportunity of renewing their application under the Rural Improvements Scheme, and such applications will be considered on their merits in conjunction with other outstanding Rural Improvements Scheme applications. I cannot however undertake that all such applications will be dealt with in the current year.