asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that the emigration of the young male population of Ireland is four times that of the female population and if, in view of the seriousness of the position regarding the marriage rate, he will state the Government's policy and programme to encourage the young men and women to stay at home and settle down in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration.
Mr. A. Byrne
Mr. A. Byrne
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the continuous emigration of Irish citizens to Canada and Great Britain and that twice weekly emigration officials attend with medical officers at the Iveagh hostel, Bride Street, Dublin, to examine and certify as fit for travel hundreds of young Irishmen from the farming areas who are being recruited by agents and brought to Dublin by bus and after certification brought to the boats; and, if so, if he will state whether the Government have yet found a remedy to stem the tide of emigration.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to answer Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
I am not aware of any statistical or other evidence to support the Deputy's statement that the emigration of the young male population of Ireland is four times that of the female population. In the inter-censal period 1946-51, the net number of females who emigrated was 1,365 for every 1,000 males. If the Deputy's statement were true, a very radical change would have taken place in the sex composition of the net emigration—and there is no evidence that such a change has taken place.
While it is true that our crude marriage rate itself is low by international standards, there has been no recent disimprovement in the position:the rate has stood at 5.4 per 1,000 persons from 1948 to 1952, and this represents an improvement as compared with the rate that obtained before the war.
Emigration to Canada is not as heavy as the Deputy appears to suggest: the latest figures available indicate that it is running at a rate of about 1,500 a year.
The travel arrangements referred to in the Deputy's second question apply only to migratory workers of a particular category, under an arrangement that has been in operation since 1947, and the number of persons travelling under the arrangement this year is the lowest for the past four years, the figures being:—1950, 1,300; 1951, 1,200; 1952, 1,006, and 1953, 920.
As to the Government's policy in regard to emigration, I have more than once made it clear that our economic and social policy aims to create such conditions as would eliminate any material causes of emigration.
Mr. A. Byrne
Has the Taoiseach any definite policy in mind that will keep the young people at home? Emigration is due to unemployment and the Taoiseach must be aware that most of these people are emigrating because of the fact that neither the Government nor anybody else will provide suitable employment sufficient to keep them at home. Will the Taoiseach state if he has anything in mind to stem this tide of emigration and give these people a chance of earning a living in their own country?
I have indicated to the Deputy that the whole policy of this Government has as its object, and effect, the reduction of emigration and its possible elimination; proofs of that are the results achieved in the years before the war and the results immediately following the war.