asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the management of Kildare County Council has invited the unions to discuss the acute problems affecting employment in the county arising from the insufficiency of funds to maintain works which would provide employment at existing levels; and if it is his intention to take such measures as are necessary to maintain employment levels as promised.

(Dublin South-East): I understand that Kildare County Council have sufficient funds available to maintain their full work force in employment throughout 1982. The maintenance of some workers in employment will, however, depend on the co-operation of the workers and that of their trade union in facilitating movement to different work locations in the county. In this connection negotiations between the council and the trade union are continuing.