asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total number of able-bodied male and female workers who left Éire to take up employment in Northern Ireland and Britain during each of the years ending (a) 30th September, 1941, and (b) 30th September, 1942.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment outside the State.
The total number of travel permit cards issued to persons travelling for the particular purpose of taking up employment in Northern Ireland and Great Britain in the 12 months ending (a) 30th September, 1941, was 27,401 (25,536 males and 1,865 females) and (b) 30th September, 1942, 50,821 (38,415 males and 12,406 females). As it was not until July, 1941, that the British regulations governing travel to Great Britain for employment were relaxed, it is only in respect of the period July to September that the figures for the two years are strictly comparable. The total figure for the period July-September, 1941, was 20,592 as compared with 12,055 for the same period of the present year.
It should be borne in mind that in each case the figures include permits covering temporary absences for such purposes as agricultural work of a seasonal nature.