asked the Taoiseach the annual net increase in total employment in each of the years from 1959 to December 1969 inclusive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Figures.
3.
Estimates of total employment in the State are available only in respect of mid-April each year. I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing the net year to year changes in numbers at work during the period 1959 to 1969, distinguishing agricultural and non-agricultural employment.
Following is the statement:—
CHANGES in numbers at work in the years 1959-60 to 1968-69 distinguishing agricultural and non-agricultural employment.
(Thousands)
|
Year |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
Non-agricultural economic activity |
Total |
|
1959-60 |
-8 |
+3 |
-5 |
|
1960-61 |
-10 |
+8 |
-2 |
|
1961-62 |
-9 |
+16 |
+7 |
|
1962-63 |
-8 |
+14 |
+6 |
|
1963-64 |
-9 |
+14 |
+5 |
|
1964-65 |
-14 |
+12 |
-2 |
|
1965-66 |
-6 |
+3 |
-3 |
|
1966-67 |
-12 |
+9 |
-3 |
|
1967-68 |
-9 |
+11 |
+2 |
|
1968-69 |
-12 |
+16 |
+4 |
+denotes increase
–denotes decrease
Is it not true that there are 60,000 fewer at work now compared with 1959?
There are considerably more at work in non-agricultural activities now than in 1959. In common with almost every other country agricultural employment in this country fell considerably during that period.
What the people are interested in is the full truth and not half-truths.
That is the full truth.
According to a reply I got from the Taoiseach——
We cannot have a speech on this. The Deputy may put a question but he cannot make a statement.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree with the answer given by the Taoiseach to a Parliamentary Question I put down two weeks ago in which he admitted there were 72,000 fewer at work today compared with 1956 and that there are 60,000 fewer people gainfully employed today compared with 1959?
There are many thousands more employed in industrial activity now than in 1959.
I did not ask that. We are talking about the whole economy.
As I said, like every other country, there has been a considerable decrease in agricultural employment but the increase in industrial employment is outstripping the decrease in agricultural employment.
We do not want half-truths.
Question No. 4.