asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of agricultural workers who migrated to Tipperary County under the migratory labour scheme; and also the total number, for all Éire, who availed themselves of the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Migratory Labour Scheme.
Assuming that the Deputy's question refers to the Harvest Labour Scheme the answer to the first part is 97 and to the second part 391. The figures, in both instances, represent the number of workers asked for and supplied to farmers under the scheme.
May I ask if inquiries are first made locally to ascertain if labour is available? I know of one case where those seeking labourers under this scheme got them, while local unemployed labour was available in County Kilkenny.
The scheme was very successful in County Tipperary. I know of three parishes where 18 really first-class men were engaged, and they have settled down there permanently.
My information is that in every instance where farmers ask for labourers the whole question is taken into consideration as to the number of labourers available locally, and where there is an inadequate supply locally then this scheme comes into force. As Deputy O'Donnell has pointed out the scheme has been a tremendous success, both from the point of view of employers and employees.