andMr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence if his Department is going to give a contract for plastering to a private contractor, considering that at least one of the plasterers that was redundant last October is unemployed at present; and if he will consider taking on civilian plasterers to do this work, as has been the custom.

Consideration is being given to the placing of a contract for the internal plastering of some billets at Campa Traenála an Churraigh. In view of the amount of plasterers' work on hands and anticipated in that area it would not be possible to have this work executed in a reasonable time by plasterers directly employed by this Department.

Would the Minister consider taking on some of the redundant men who were let go last October. Two of them were plasterers and one of them is unemployed at present.

My information is that there is only one plasterer registered at the local employment exchange.

Would the Minister consider taking him back?

I am informed there are not enough plasterers locally available for the amount of work to be done; and, so, it must be done by contract.