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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 May 1968

Vol. 234 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Figures.

2.

asked the Taoiseach the total number of unemployed for the week ending 19th April, 1968; the figure for the corresponding week last year; the reasons for the increase; and what further action the Government intend to take to provide work for people in Ireland.

The number of persons on the Live Register on 19th April, 1968, was 63,672 and the number at the corresponding date in 1967 was 57,315. The industrial analysis of the Live Register for 11th April, 1968, recently issued, sets out, in summary form, the changes since last year and the reasons for them in so far as they can be determined.

In the course of the forthcoming debates on the annual Estimates for their Departments, the Ministers concerned will detail their plans to foster increased employment. The Government's Third Programme for Economic Expansion will come into effect in January, 1969. It will be prepared within the framework of the National Industrial Economic Council's Report on Full Employment.

Would the Minister inform me if the Government are concerned at all at the present time with the serious trend indicated by the fact that there are 6,000 more persons unemployed in Ireland today than there were at this time last year? There are 64,000 persons unemployed today. That represents anything between 200,000 to 300,000——

We cannot have a debate on this question. The Deputy may put a question.

I want to know what plans the Government have to provide employment for these people in this country at the present time.

The Deputy may be glad to know that there has been a reduction in unemployment in the period between April and March of some 1,000 persons.

Emigration.

As the Deputy knows, we have just presented a Budget with a record capital expenditure, much of which will have the effect of increasing employment. The Deputy will also know of the plans being formulated now, some of which have been announced, for an improvement in the operation of the Industrial Development Authority, An Foras Tionscal. The Deputy will also be aware of the large amount made available for housing, which itself gives increased employment.

Is the Minister aware that Taca members or other people may gain from the Budget but does the Minister realise——

This has nothing to do with the question on the Order Paper.

What I want to ask is: Does the Minister realise the serious trend that there are 6,000 more persons unemployed compared with this time 12 months and, further, that 415,000 have emigrated to Britain in the past 11 years and that were it not for the safety valve of emigration to Britain, there would be over 500,000 persons unemployed in this country? What I want to know is where your plans are for the Irish nation and the Irish people if you are not providing employment at home for them.

The Deputy may not make a speech on this. Question No. 3.

(Interruptions.)

Would the Minister say what consolation there will be for those now employed, seeing that the so-called Third Programme is not timed to come into operation until 1st January, 1969—what opportunity will there be for employment between now and next January?

The Deputy knows perfectly well that the Government's Budget provided for expansion in the economy. He knows perfectly well that the Industrial Development Authority is being reorganised. The Third Programme is being prepared in the light of a very difficult international situation because we cannot presuppose what conditions there will be in relation to our entry into the EEC, the future of the British economy and so forth.

Blame Britain.

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