asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if any practical proposals to solve the problem of youth unemployment, which is rapidly on the increase, are being considered.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Youth Unemployment.
Mr. A. Byrne
The official statistics do not show that youth unemployment is rapidly increasing. On the contrary, there has been a marked and sustained increase in the numbers of boys and girls finding employment in industry. The number of juveniles on the unemployment register decreased steadily during 1953. In the Dublin area, the number of juveniles registered for employment was less, in each of the first five weeks of the present year than in the corresponding week of 1953.
What about 1951?
Mr. A. Byrne
Is the Minister aware that in practically every working-class house in the City of Dublin, there is at least one son or daughter unemployed and they cannot get an hour's work anywhere? What has the Minister in mind for that class of people?
What I have pointed out is that the Deputy's statement in his question that youth unemployment is increasing, is not correct.
Mr. A. Byrne
That is my belief on account of the number of calls I get.
If the Deputy did not ask the question he wanted to ask, he can try again.
Would the Tánaiste indicate what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Youth Unemployment Commission?
In the first place, that is a separate question, and in the second, a full statement has already been made to the Dáil.
Does the Minister agree that the only statement he made before was that the Government were considering the unemployment commission's report?
On the contrary, Deputy Norton asked for a statement and got a categorical reply.