asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the unprecedented flow of emigration from the Donegal Gaeltacht due to unemployment in that area; and, if so, what immediate steps he proposes to take to stop this emigration flow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration from Donegal Gaeltacht.
The information at my disposal does not confirm the suggestion that the flow of emigration from the Donegal Gaeltacht can be described as unprecedented. In fact I understand that emigration from that area mainly takes the form of migratory workers going to Britain for seasonal work, as has been the custom for many years, and is no greater now than in previous years. The apparent increase in unemployment in the area is due almost entirely to the effect of the Social Welfare Act, 1952, in increasing the numbers on the register.
In the Donegal Gaeltacht, as elsewhere, the Government are endeavouring to promote conditions favourable to employment. As the Deputy will observe from a reply to another question on to-day's Order Paper, it is proposed to proceed, in the coming year, with the development of the Clady River hydro-electric scheme. In addition, one of the proposed four turf-fired electricity generating stations will be situated in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Six new industrial projects in that area are under considerationand in two of these cases applications for grants have been approved by An Foras Tionscal.
The industrial employment given in the area by Gaeltarra Éireann is greater this year than in any of the last four years and steps are being taken to expand still further the division's activities.
Two new forestry centres have been established in the last 12 months and it is hoped to open a further centre shortly. The Land Commission plans to carry out a bog development scheme next year while the Department of Agriculture is carrying out experiments with heated glasshouses with the object of expanding the uses to which the existing tomato glasshouses may be put.
The number of houses erected and improved in the area in the financial year 1952-53 under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts was substantially greater than in the preceding year. Of the special allocation of £400,000 from voted moneys this year for the improvement of roads of tourist value, £50,000 has been allotted to County Donegal, most of which will be spent in or near the Gaeltacht and Breac-Ghaeltacht.
It is evident, therefore, that State-aided activities in the Donegal Gaeltacht are greater than 12 months ago and that there will be further expansion in the year ahead.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Councillor J. Kelly of Falcarragh, a Fianna Fáil councillor, at a meeting of the Donegal County Council, stated, as reported in the People's Pressof Saturday, 4th July, that from Creeslough to Gweedore, the biggest part of the Gaeltacht, nothing was being done for the people?
Of course, that is not true.
That was a Fianna Fáil councillor.
It does not matter who said it, it is not true.
I will also quote for the Taoiseach the statement of CouncillorKennedy, a Fianna Fáil candidate at the last general election, in which he said there was an unprecedented flow of emigration from the area.
That is not a question.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Get the price of oats ready.