asked the Taoiseach whether the third economic programme will contain any special measures to increase employment; and when it is proposed to launch this economic programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Third Economic Programme.
1.
A major aim of the Third Programme for Economic Expansion will be to increase employment and output. The programme will cover the four years from 1969 to 1972, inclusive, and it is hoped to publish it about the end of this year.
Are there any special measures to increase employment? As the Taoiseach knows, during the period 1961-1966 only 13,000 new jobs were created in industry. This is a rate of increase of only 2,000 per year over the period. This is why I ask if there are any new measures in the so-called Third Programme that would change this?
I think the Deputy's figures are not quite right. The latest figures available for the transportable goods industry for the years mentioned show a figure of 189,300 which compares with 142,000 ten years ago and is a much higher ratio than that mentioned.
In the period there was only an increase of 13,700 new jobs. It is true that the census figures have been revised but this is very far short of the figures contemplated in the Second Programme. Unless there can be a suggestion of new figures for new employment we do not seem to be catching up on the position.
Has the Deputy a question to put?
God protect us from the Third Programme.
Is it not true that there are exactly 100,000 fewer people in Ireland and that compared with 1956——
In that year alone, there were 100,000 people on the unemployment register.
There are almost as many today.
In answer to Deputy O'Leary, a comprehensive review of our industrial development is under way. Some of the details of that have been announced and more will be announced in due course which will, of course, lead to a greater degree of employment in industry in due course.
Because of the measures being put through by the British Government following their Budget, have we any means of meeting the depressing state of the British market?
We did well in the British market.
The special measures will have to be an improvement on what we have already.
Is the Taoiseach afraid to answer? There are exactly 130,000 fewer people in employment.
Order.