asked the Minister for Labour if he will seek to provide employment at home for Irish workers who have to migrate to Scotland annually to work on the potato harvest; and if, in the interim, he will ensure that the conditions of these workers will be greatly improved while they are engaged on the Scottish harvest.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Potato Workers.
1.
The number of Irish workers travelling to Scotland for potato harvesting work has declined sharply. This year about 100 Irish workers were engaged on this work compared with 350 in 1971 when the situation was last surveyed.
Officers of my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs visited Scotland early this month to investigate conditions of the Irish seasonal workers. I am glad to say they found conditions greatly improved and I wish to pay tribute to the Scottish authorities for their efforts in the matter.