asked the Minister for Local Government if his Department have any plans for the re-organisation of local improvements schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Improvements Schemes.
38.
My Department has at present no plans for the re-organisation of these schemes. The Deputy will, of course, be aware of the increased allocations notified to county councils for the schemes in 1971-72.
Is the Minister aware of the need to change the scheme? In County Galway a great many people cannot accept the scheme on the present basis because local contributions are too high.
I am not so aware. There are plenty of applicants willing and able to pay contributions. In fact, there is a large backlog in County Galway.
If the Minister checks in County Galway he will find many people there who cannot accept the scheme because the local contribution is too high.
There are an adequate number of applicants willing to make the required contribution in order to enable the increased allocation which has been made to County Galway to be expended in the coming year. Applicants whose valuations are under £5 are not required to make a contribution.
39.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, in relation to the extra half million pounds allocated to the local improvements schemes in western counties, by what method applicants for employment will be recruited for work.
The standard recruitment regulations applicable to the local improvements schemes will apply. These provide that priority be given to suitable unemployed persons registered at the employment exchange and to beneficiaries of the schemes who have contributed to the cost of the works. The order in which registered persons are listed by the employment exchange is designed to ensure that the most needy are given first consideration.
Would the Minister not agree that the first regulation he has made would automatically rule out anybody who had been refused unemployment assistance and would not, therefore, be signing on at the exchange?
No, that is not true. Provided the persons who may now be debarred continue to register at the employment exchange they will still be considered for work under these schemes.
Does the Minister think they will be likely to do that in view of the fact they will not get anything except trouble?
Yes. If they are interested in being considered for employment in the area I would advise them strongly to continue to register at the exchange.