asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that unemployed persons living in the south side of Dublin City will not be considered for relief work unless they have at least six child dependents, while men with three child dependents who reside in the north city can obtain this type of work; and if he will take steps to ensure that most deserving cases will be given relief work regardless of the side of the city in which they reside.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Relief Work.
Submission of men for work on employment schemes is made from persons registered at the local office serving the area in which the work is to take place. Preference is given to applicants for unemployment assistance with the largest numbers of dependents. In Dublin, men for employment schemes on the north side of the city are recruited from Gardiner Street Employment Exchange and for schemes on the south side from Werburgh Street Exchange.
It happens that, at present, there is more scheme work in progress on the north side than on the south side, but the reverse has been the position in some recent years. In fact, over the last three years, the total number of men placed in this employment on the south side was somewhat greater than the number placed on the north side. The present method of recruitment gives a fair share of the work to men on the north and south sides of the city. It appears to have given general satisfaction down the years, judging by the absence of complaints, and I would not be in favour of changing it.
Is there any greater condemnation of Government policy in dealing with unemployment than the fact that on a certain side of the city a man must have six children before he is entitled to get a few weeks on relief?
That is a separate matter.
Preference is given to the man with the greatest number of children.
Is that the best you can do?
Much more than you ever did.