asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that numbers of unskilled operatives have returned from England, having misinterpreted the "come home" radio propaganda, to find that there was no work for them in Ireland, and if the Government is now prepared to issue advice over the air and in British newspapers to unskilled operatives informing them that there is no work available in Ireland for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Position of Unskilled Operatives.
In view of the precision attaching to the announcements and advertisements covering this matter I find it difficult to understand how any misinterpretation such as the Deputy suggests could have occurred.
It has been consistently emphasised that it is skilled workers who are required and, furthermore, that applicants even of these classes wishing to take advantage of the scheme should not leave their employment abroad until arrangements to start work here have been satisfactorily settled.
I think that announcements on the lines suggested by the Deputy are neither necessary nor desirable.
Will the Minister not agree that it is a pity Deputy McCann is not here to hear the answer to his question?
May I ask the Minister if he has not considered that serious hardship is being caused to quite a number of Irish citizens working in England through misinterpretation of the broadcasts and if, in addition to stating that skilled workers are required, he could arrange that in the broadcasts it will be pointed out that no work is available for unskilled workers and that they would be very foolish to come home until work is actually available for them?
I think it has been made abundantly clear that only skilled tradesmen were required and stress was laid on the particular classes. Even these were warned not to leave their employment until arrangements to start work here have been satisfactorily settled.