asked the Minister for Finance whether the Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to investigate the practicability of promoting novel schemes of public works have completed their investigations; whether any report has been submitted to him regarding the investigations undertaken by the Committee; whether any scheme submitted to and investigated by the Committee has been approved; whether work has commenced on any scheme formulated or recommended by the Committee and, if not, whether he will state, approximately, the date on which such work will commence and the estimated cost thereof, the conditions of employment that will be observed and the rates of wages paid on such schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Works Schemes.
The Inter-Departmental Committee have not yet completed their investigations. They have submitted two interim reports which are at present under consideration. No scheme submitted to and investigated by the Committee has yet been approved, and for that reason the remaining portions of the question do not arise.
Can we really get some information as to what this Inter-Departmental Committee is doing? Its setting up was announced with a fanfare of Press trumpets and statements. It has now been functioning for a few years and we cannot get any idea what the Committee is really doing in the matter. Will the Minister take an early opportunity of making a statement to the House on the subject? Can I have a reply to that very germane supplementary question?
The Deputy asked what the Inter-Departmental Committee was doing. I refer him to the terms of reference of the Committee. As to the possibility of making an early statement, I am not in a position to give any information on that at the moment.
Will the Minister deny that some novel schemes are now in operation in some parts of the country and that in the name of these schemes reductions in wages and daily rates to carters are being effected?
There is no foundation for that statement.