Vol. 435 No. 11
80 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health the present position in relation to his Department's plans for the future of Irish Blindcraft; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the workers in Irish Blindcraft are now on a three-day week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that due to serious financial difficulties, it was necessary for the Board for the Employment of the Blind which operates the Blindcraft workshop to place the staff on a three day working week. With a view to tackling the situation, I asked the National Council for the Blind which is the major voluntary body concerned with the training and welfare of the blind, to examine the board's operations to see if it could offer suggestions on how the difficulties can be resolved and the workforce restored to a five day working week as soon as possible.
The national council has made certain suggestions as to how Blindcraft's operations can be put on a sounder financial footing. My Department has requested further information on the financial and marketing aspects of the proposals. On receipt of this information I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the future of Blindcraft's operations.
