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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 1947

Vol. 109 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration of Rural Workers.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the number of men needed by Bord na Móna for turf development; the number already employed; if he will relax the ban on those wishing to take up employment in Britain; and if he is aware that a considerable number of applicants for travel facilities have no experience of turf work and that no useful purpose is served by preventing them from travelling to Britain.

The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is that approximately 24,000 men are needed by Bord na Móna for the 1948 season. That number includes the board's requirements in connection with the county production schemes. There are at present 1,200 men employed in the turf camps.

As to the second part of the question, the position is that there is no ban on the emigration of rural workers as a class. They are eligible to receive travel permits on the same basis as other male workers proposing to go to Great Britain for employment, but such permits are not granted to men who are in employment or for whom suitable employment is available or will be available within a reasonable period. I am not aware that travel permits have been refused to men with no experience of turf work on the ground that such work was available.

Will the Minister say what the number is at present?

There are 1,200 employed at present.

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