asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the large number of sailors in our coastal towns who find themselves without berths and seeing that these men are deprived of the benefits of unemployment insurance owing to being domiciled in the Free State will he take steps to remedy this condition of things either by (1) making an effort to come to an understanding with Britain on the matter of the unemployment insurance benefits or (2) by providing some suitable alternative form of work for such sailors; and if in connection with this latter he will represent to the Sea Fisheries Association that the trawlers now chartered by them should contain a fixed proportion of Free State nationals.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Sailors' Unemployment Insurance.
I am aware that there is a number, not large, of seamen registered as unemployed whose unemployment may be attributed to the cause mentioned in the Deputy's question. They are not entitled to Unemployment benefit because, having been employed on ships registered outside Saorstát Eireann, they are not insured at all against unemployment. Seamen domiciled in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who were employed on ships registered in Saorstát Eireann are in a similar position. Unsuccessful efforts have been made from time to time by the Saorstát Government to come to a reciprocal arrangement with Great Britain by which such seamen could come into Unemployment Insurance but I cannot say that there is at present much hope of bringing about such an arrangement. Efforts are being made and will continue to be made to find alternative employment for those men who are known to be unemployed. I am informed that the Sea Fisheries Association are gradually increasing the numbers of Saorstát nationals employed on the trawlers they have chartered but they require men experienced in the fishing industry for these boats.
Since the number is not large, I should like to know from the Minister if he has any idea of the actual number so disemployed? Can he say if he has any figures?
If the Deputy repeats the question I will endeavour to get him information, but precise figures are not available.