asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the widespread unemployment in County Mayo; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Unemployment.
30.
The latest date for which particulars are available of unemployed registered at local offices in County Mayo is 7th July, 1967. The total registered unemployed on that date was 3,342 as compared with 2,454 on the corresponding date in 1966.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, single men resident in rural areas were debarred from receipt of unemployment assistance last year by the Second Employment Period Order, 1966. There is no corresponding Order in operation this year and single men may continue to draw unemployment assistance during the summer months.
The task of the Employment Service of my Department is to place persons in touch with jobs that are notified to the employment exchanges.
Is the Minister aware that many of these people from County Mayo have gone across to England for seasonal employment at present because they have given up all hope of finding employment in Mayo because of what I might describe as the closedown of works by Mayo County Council? Does he not appreciate the seriousness of that situation?
I gather that the bulk of the increase is due to the fact that we do not have an Employment Period Order for the second part of this year. This is a concession made by the Minister for Social Welfare.
Does the Minister not appreciate that homes are closing in County Mayo because there is no hope of a livelihood within the county?
Question No. 31.
Will you not allow the Minister to reply to that question?
I cannot see that there is any reply, it has been said so long and so often.
Fianna Fáil have no reply to the question of unemployment.