Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Works Schemes.

Tuesday, 21 July 1981

Dáil Eireann Debate
Vol. 329 No. 5

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8.

Mr. Raphael Burke: Information on Ray Burke  Zoom on Ray Burke  asked the Minister for the Environment the number [510] of people employed in 1980 and 1981 to date under the environmental works schemes.

Mr. P. Barry: Information on Peter Barry  Zoom on Peter Barry  Presumably the question relates to the environmental improvement schemes programme. Under this programme 470 man-years of employment were provided in 1980. It is too early yet to indicate the figure for employment in 1981.

Mr. Raphael Burke: Information on Ray Burke  Zoom on Ray Burke  In view of the benefits of this programme, is it the Minister's intention to continue with this programme?

Mr. P. Barry: Information on Peter Barry  Zoom on Peter Barry  I would hope so.

Mr. Raphael Burke: Information on Ray Burke  Zoom on Ray Burke  Could the Minister be more definite?

Mr. P. Barry: Information on Peter Barry  Zoom on Peter Barry  I would like to be more definite. The Deputy's concern would weigh much heavier with me if he had provided in the Estimates, when he was in charge of the Department, sufficient funds for this year.

Mr. Raphael Burke: Information on Ray Burke  Zoom on Ray Burke  The Minister is aware that there was, and is, money available in this year's Estimate. Will he assure the House that this money will not be taken and that the programme will continue this year and next year?

Mr. P. Barry: Information on Peter Barry  Zoom on Peter Barry  The money provided in the Estimate is precisely half that provided in 1980.

Mr. Raphael Burke: Information on Ray Burke  Zoom on Ray Burke  That was not the question. I asked if the Minister would assure the House that the programme will continue.

Mr. P. Barry: Information on Peter Barry  Zoom on Peter Barry  I have not yet learned the secret of putting a quart into a pint bottle.

Mr. McMahon: Information on Lawrence McMahon  Zoom on Lawrence McMahon  Will the Minister assure the House that this programme will be continued for the full year rather than part of the year as happened in [511] 1980? At that time 80 men employed by Dublin County Council had to be let go at very short notice because the money was not provided by the Department. Will he take steps to ensure that this will not happen in future?

Mr. P. Barry: Information on Peter Barry  Zoom on Peter Barry  I hope to do that, but the Deputy will appreciate that there are tremendous constraints on the Government at present to provide all the money being asked for.

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