asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what were the developments which took place in the Athlone Registration Area between the 2nd January and 27th March last and caused the total number of persons registered as unemployed at the local offices in that area to fall from 13,904 to 7,110, i.e., by 6,794 between these two dates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Athlone Unemployed Figures.
Continuous registration involves the renewal of his registration by the unemployed person every week where he resides within three miles of the local office and fortnightly renewal (which can be made through the post) if his place of residence is more distant. On failure of renewal, the registration lapses and the individual is not again included in the Statistical Returns until he re-registers himself. Registration is voluntary and the person registered can cease to register when he wishes, but would not register after he had entered employment. When for any reason those who are registered cease to renew their registrations and thus go off the register, it follows that there is a decrease in the number of persons registered unless their places are taken by fresh registrants. The main cause of the lapsing of registration is that the registered unemployed have found employment. In the period in question, 3,337 of the persons registered were placed in employment by the local offices situated in the Athlone area and no doubt many others found employment through their own efforts. It is probable also that many of those registered as unemployed in the winter time, being farmers or farmers' sons, are now engaged in the spring operations and, therefore, are not for the present unemployed nor available for other employment.
Are we to understand, therefore, that this is what would be called seasonal fluctuation in the Athlone area?
To some extent it might be regarded as seasonal fluctuation, but only to a minor extent. The decline in the number of registrations is mainly due to the fact that persons formerly registered have got employment.
In coming to this conclusion, has the Minister at his disposal an analysis of the position on 16th January last and does he propose to issue that?
Yes, certain information relating to the means of the persons registered as unemployed is available, perhaps not in as great detail as I would like or as I intended, but it is of definite interest and I will endeavour to make it available.