(Dublin) asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to a report that there is considerable redundancy expected at CIE works, Inchicore, Dublin; and if anything can be done to avoid this situation developing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundancy in CIE Works.
35.
I understand from CIE that, owing to a shortage of blacksmiths, their carriage and wagon-building programme in the Inchicore Works may have to be curtailed and that up to 100 men may become redundant.
The company consider that the shortage of blacksmiths could be overcome by training semi-skilled men to do certain work normally performed by blacksmiths or by employing allied types of craftsmen after giving them any necessary training on blacksmiths' work. The company have been endeavouring, so far without success, to get the agreement of the unions concerned to this course.
I trust that the unions will, on reflection, agree to the taking of whatever steps are necessary to protect the jobs of their members at the Inchicore Works. I will be asking An Comhairle Oiliúna, who have certain powers under the Industrial Training Act, 1967 in circumstances such as this, to consider whether they could usefully intervene in the matter.
This becomes the familiar reply of Government Ministers when looking for a scapegoat for unemployment. Has the Minister any information on the number of blacksmiths declared redundant under the 1958 Redundancy Act?
I would require notice of that question.
Has the Minister information as to whether it is the intention to convert the Inchicore Works into a repair shop—to turn entirely to repairs?
The activities of the works are being curtailed and will be more seriously curtailed in the future, unless the national shortage of blacksmiths can be overcome. Suggestions have been put forward to try to remedy the situation and to ensure the continued employment of those whose employment is in danger. These suggestions have not yet been accepted. If they are not accepted, up to 100 will lose their jobs.
Is the Minister suggesting that if the unions agree to any proposals, redundancy can be avoided—that the trouble is purely at the unions' door?
I have already explained that owing to a shortage of blacksmiths the carriage and wagon-building works may have to be curtailed and up to 100 workers may become redundant. If the suggestions put forward by CIE are accepted——
And that is the only problem of the works at Inchicore?
That is a separate question.
My supplementary question asked if anything could be done to avoid the redundancy situation developing.
The question the Deputy has been asking is a completely different one. I cannot allow any more supplementaries on this matter.
I asked about the danger of this redundancy developing.
This is the only imminent redundancy of which the Minister is aware.
Is the Minister aware of the number of blacksmiths who applied and could not get jobs because they could not get union cards?
I did not hear the Deputy.
Is the Minister not aware that there are a number of blacksmiths looking for work? Is he not further aware that the group of unions concerned are still conducting negotiations?
This is the seventh supplementary question; I cannot allow any more.
The company have been endeavouring, so far without success, to get the agreement of the unions concerned to this course. I did not say there was no possibility of the unions agreeing. I said they have not yet agreed.
And I said that negotiations with CIE were continuing.
I have allowed enough supplementary questions. There will be no more.