asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state how many positions in civil life have been found for demobilised officers and soldiers by the Resettlement Branch of his Ministry, differentiating between (a) positions in Government employment, (b) positions in the employment of other public bodies, and (c) positions under private employers.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EMPLOYMENT OF DEMOBILISED SOLDIERS.
The number of demobilised officers and soldiers placed in civil employment is 2,382. Of these 385 have been placed in Government employment; 1,997 in other employment, including that of local public bodies.
No separate record has been kept of the numbers for whom employment with local public bodies has been found, and I am therefore not in a position to give particulars under (b) of the question.
Does the Minister state that jobs have only been found for one man out of every ten demobilised?
That would appear to be the case.
Would the Minister say if there was an agreement between the different railway companies and the Army authorities that the men who left the railway service to join the Army would be reinstated in their position in the Army after demobilisation?
I am not sure that such an agreement was entered into. I know that an agreement was proposed and discussed.
Is the Minister aware that there was an understanding that the men who left the railway service to join the Army would be reinstated after demobilisation?
I should have to apply to the Army authorities for that information.
The Deputy can put down a separate question on that matter.