asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is possible to ensure that Bord na Móna give preference in employment to married men in view of the shortage of work under the board in Offaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Employment in Offaly.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the present unemployment situation, Bord na Móna intend that overtime and Sunday work at present in operation on Boora bog will be discontinued or rearranged, to allow more men to be employed.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether Bord na Móna intend to arrange their employment schemes in Offaly in such a way that, where possible, each man obtains at least one full year's work and thus qualifies for employment benefit if laid off.
Mr. Lemass
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 21, 22 and 23 together.
While I must make it clear that these are matters in which I have no functions and have, therefore, no authority to intervene, I have made inquiries and have been informed by Bord na Móna that overtime and Sunday work take place only intermittently and for short periods and that it would not be possible, therefore, for the board to arrange to recruit extra men when the need for such work arises. I have also been informed that, while the board endeavours to give the maximum possible term of employment to each of its workers, it must be recognised that because of the seasonal nature of its operations it would be impossible to provide a full year's work for each of its employees. The board points out that the arrangements for seasonal lay-off of workers are in accordance with a scheme which was agreed with the trade unions representative of the workers. I understand that this scheme provides for preferential treatment for married men in certain circumstances.