asked the Taoiseach what proposals the Government have for both immediate and long term implementation to stem the unprecedented emigration from rural Ireland, with particular reference to the west of Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration from Rural Areas.
2.
I do not accept the implication in the Deputy's question that the present rate of emigration is unprecedented. The indications are that it is lower that it was in the period 1954-58.
God forgive you.
The Government however regards the present rate of emigration as the most disturbing problem facing the community. We have set ourselves the task of removing the economic causes of emigration by the promotion of a major programme of economic expansion——
Bosh.
——with the emphasis on productive expenditure rather than on projects designed merely to give immediate employment. The Minister for Finance will shortly issue a progress report on the programme for the half-year ended 30th September last.
As regards the West of Ireland in particular, I would refer the Deputy to the reply to a question addressed to me in this House on 27th April last in which exceptional measures adopted for the economic rehabilitation of the West of Ireland were detailed. I should like to draw the Deputy's attention to the following additional measures adopted since then:—
(i) the Programme of Sanitary Services Works envisaging an aggregate capital expenditure of about £35,000,000 over ten years, with special emphasis on the extension of piped water supplies to rural areas—increased subsidies of 50 per cent. and 60 per cent. of loan charges have been offered to local authorities undertaking the works, the higher rate obtaining in Western counties.
(ii) the increase from £500,000 to £750,000 in the funds available for the acquisition of land by the Land Commission for the relief of congestion,
(iii) the decision to develop five major fishery harbours, three being on the West Coast, viz., Killybegs, Galway and Castletownbere,
(iv) the expansion of the training schemes for skippers and fishermen,
(v) the decision to establish the fisheries research station in Galway and to transfer to Galway half of the staff of the Fisheries Division of the Department of Lands,
(vi) the commencement of exploratory drilling in the Connaught coalfield, and
(vii) the decision to investigate the possibility of utilising the "crow" coal deposits at Arigna.
I might add that under the Undeveloped Areas Acts the financial commitments incurred by An Foras Tionscal are now close to £4,000,000; payments by that body exceed £2,000,000 and projects approved represent a capital investment of £9,250,000 and are expected to give employment to 7,330. Sixty-one projects aided by those Acts are now in production.
In the reply referred to I mentioned the Moy and Corrib-Clare Drainage Schemes. I understand that the maintenance of these schemes on completion will employ 200 men.
The expansion of State forests in recent years has been particularly marked in the Western Counties and this year 45 per cent. of the planting programme arises there. There are over three times as many employed by the Forestry Division in the West as there were ten years ago.
Finally, I should like to stress my view that emigration is not merely an economic problem. While our economic effort is of the greatest importance it needs to be supplemented by action on the part of all elements in the country whose words or acts can influence community thinking in order to eradicate its social and psychological causes, the importance of which tends to be overlooked.
Is the Taoiseach serious in his statement made in this House that the rate of emigration is not in excess of that in relation to the period prior to 1954/58 and that it is not at an unprecedented rate?
I am always serious.
Is it not a fact that in rural Ireland at the moment the small farmers in addition to their sons and daughters are pulling out as fast as they can?
It is not.
Surely the Taoiseach has at this stage given sufficient consideration to the matter to be able to tell us whether he has any plans with regard to the development of agriculture and the stability of markets in order to give some chance to those people who live in Ireland?
Is it possible that the Taoiseach is really not aware of the acute crisis that has come upon the farmers of this country with special reference to the small farmers who are the primary producers of our agricultural produce? If he is not aware of it, the situation of the country is quite desperate. If the Taoiseach is aware of the very grave situation in which the farmers find themselves, perhaps he would give some indication as to whether the Government have any plans to deal with the matter?
So far as emigration is concerned I state that the rate of emigration from Ireland is less now than when the Deputy was Minister for Agriculture.
Nonsense.
Is the Taoiseach aware, from the ordinary accepted sources that are usually taken in the absence of census of population figures, that the rate of emigration from Ireland at the 30th June of this year was 40,000 persons?
What was it when the Deputy was in the Government?
I am asking what is it now. The Taoiseach said it had decreased.
It is shown.
Is the Taoiseach informed of the critical state in which the farmers of this country are at the present time, with special reference to the small farmers who are producing what is the ultimate end product of the industry and, if he is not, will he consult the Deputies of his own Party who represent rural constituencies and learn from them that the state of the farmers, particularly the small farmers, at the present time is as bad as I have ever known it?
I accept that a reduction in the rate of emigration and its eventual elimination depend mainly on the success of the Government's efforts to improve the country's economic position, both in relation to agriculture and every other activity, and in accordance with the plan which was accepted and approved by all the farmers' organisations in the country, the Government's whole efforts are directed towards that end.
What about the 100,000 jobs?
Has the Taoiseach abandoned the plan whereby local authorities would submit to him schemes of work to be financed by the Government and designed to create employment?
On the contrary, I have not, and if the Deputy will take account of the information already given to him on this matter he will see, for example, so far as a very high number of the proposals that came in from local authorities related to water supplies and sewerage schemes, we have already made decisions to augment the facilities available to them and, in relation to another large number of proposals which dealt with tourist amenities, similar decisions have been taken. We did not get very many proposals for specific projects relating to particular localities but, in so far as we did, they are being dealt with in a systematic way by the Departments concerned.
Is the Taoiseach not aware that the Minister for Finance informed the House that there were 700 proposals made by local authorities and that none of them had been approved?
Nonsense. Of these proposals some 300 related to water supplies and sewerage schemes and another 300 to tourist roads and the like.
Question No. 3.
Why did the Minister for Finance not tell us that?
Unemployment may not be fully discussed at Question Time. There is a motion on the Order Paper in respect of unemployment.
Does the Taoiseach recall the promise which was made by his Party in February, 1957, that if Fianna Fáil were returned to office they would provide 100,000 new jobs in four years and end emigration?
I made no such promise.
You most certainly did.
I shall produce the leaflet.
I say I made no such promise.
It was made in Cork during the last election. You know it, your Cork Deputies know it, and I would remind you that the four years are up in February next and that none of the 100,000 jobs has been provided. I want to know what is going to happen between now and February next to redeem that promise which was made on the stationery of the Fianna Fáil Party?
Every specific proposal put forward by me at that time for the economic development of this country is now in operation.
Does that include the thousands who have left the country?
Order!
One of the proposals must be the production of grass.
Arising from the Taoiseach's reply——
Number 3.
Am I not entitled to ask a Supplementary Question?
Every Deputy may not ask Supplementary Questions.
The ruling of the Chair is peculiar at times.
Number 3.