asked the Minister for Local Government if a clause is inserted in all local authority contracts specifying that, where feasible, local workers should be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Contracts.
28.
The conditions governing local authority works contracts financed wholly or partly from the Road Fund, and contracts for sanitary services works provide that unskilled labour be recruited, as far as practicable, from the local employment exchange or manpower office.
Because of devolution of responsibility for most local authority housing contracts to the local authorities, details are not available in my Department of the current conditions of contract prescribed in each area. I am aware, however, that a number of local authorities do include a clause in their general conditions of contract requiring contractors to employ local workers, as far as possible, in the execution of the contract, and that some do not include such a clause. The standard conditions of contract for housing schemes carried out by the NBA on behalf of local authorities do not normally include a requirement regarding the employment of local labour. It would, however, be included if it were specifically requested by the local authority.
Would the Minister not regard it as worth the Department's while to advise local authorities that in all such contracts this clause should be inserted in view of the very serious unemployment situation which exists throughout the country?
Any local authority members who are interested could suggest this at local authority level. The local authority would have to agree before it could be submitted and included. If the local authority members succeed in getting it included, most likely there will not be any objection raised by me.
In view of the serious situation which exists would the Minister not consider it advisable that a circular should be sent to all local authorities advising them that this would be a desirable step to take.
I have in my possession documents which show that that is not correct. There are areas where extra people are required for employment on building schemes rather than the opposite. Therefore, it would not be of any assistance and might, in fact, impede work which the Deputy, like myself, would like to see proceeding.
Could the Minister tell me in which country those areas are, because they are not in Ireland?
If the Deputy would like to put down a question next week I will give him that information.
I will do that.
(Interruptions.)
We must make some progress.
While I agree with the Minister that this would be desirable, does he not think that the insertion of the clause as recommended in this question would be very difficult to implement because it would be something of a pious wish rather than something which could be made legally binding?
It operates in a number of towns which for various reasons insist on local labour being employed. It does not apply in other areas. Sometimes there are complaints. I cannot deal with that here.