asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports from the Irish Centre, Camden Town, London, that many Irish youths are arriving in that city without any means of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Youths in London.
4.
According to the latest report of The Irish Centre, Camden Town, London, which has appeared very recently, there was an increase of about one-sixth in the number of young people aged 25 and less coming to the centre's attention in 1975. The number of young people under 18 years who sought the centre's assistance in 1975 was, I understand, 114 as compared with 98 in 1974.
I would take this opportunity to advise such people very strongly, and indeed parents who have a major responsibility in the matter, that where young people leave home for Britain careful arrangements should always be made before departure from Ireland in regard to ensuring that employment and accommodation are available.
The Minister may have dealt factually with this but his information is insufficient. Is the Minister aware that youngsters of 14 years of age and under are going to London? Is he aware that the numbers are rising rapidly of people who are going over there without work? I should like the Minister to quote from the end of the report of the Irish Centre. The Government must attack this problem properly instead of giving unctuous advice.
The Government have taken important action in regard to this. There is a repatriation scheme funded by the Department, there are Government grants to emigrant bureaux in Ireland which advise persons proposing to emigrate to Britain —about £5,000 per annum is given for this purpose. The staff of the Embassy in London are available to give general assistance and advice. The Manpower Service of the Department of Labour assist in such matters as advertising among Irish emigrants in Britain job openings in Ireland. The Emigrant Resettlement Scheme provides very effective benefits for those returning permanently to Ireland from Britain. We are examining the question of whether any additional assistance is required by way of the Department of Social Welfare to assist our service in London. All these matters are being attended to but basically the issue is one which, given that we are a free country with free movement into and out of the country, must primarily be a matter for the parents of very young adolescents.
I have no figures in respect of persons of the age of 14 and under—the figures I have relate to under 18 years —but it is of course possible that the Deputy may be right and that some Irish parents may be permitting children of that age to emigrate on their own. If so, it is a blatant neglect of parental duties. There is difficulty for the Government in interfering in the area of family relationships or with the free movement of people. It is important, and Deputy Moore is quite right to raise this matter, that there should be general awareness of the dangers involved. The Irish Centre, in its comments on the problems of young persons under 18 years said:
This group of young people are always a cause for concern and are a priority for accommodation in our hostels, because of their immaturity, lack of sophistication and personality difficulties which make them particularly vulnerable to exploitation by the unscrupulous....
Many of these young people are emotionally pushed from home because of parental conflict, alcoholism, violence, failure to measure up academically, etc. Others are lured by the glitter of life in London, by the promise of easy freedom uninhibited by parental control or social mores, by the idea that big money and work come easily, by the show of affluence of those who return home on holiday, and not infrequently return penniless to the Irish Centre looking for lodging, etc.
This is a problem and it is one the Government cannot resolve unaided without the force of public opinion and without parents doing their duty in this matter which, I am afraid, not all parents do. I think Deputy Moore rightly raised this matter and I am glad of the opportunity in reply to him to make some of these points.
Parents may or may not be remiss but the fact is we had 50,000 school leavers last year and there were no opportunities of employment for most of them. I think the Government must step in first of all and provide these youngsters, if not with jobs, certainly with extended training.
I am sorry, Deputy, but we must proceed. A brief supplementary, please.
Deputy Moore is right in saying this should be a priority and the fact is many more young people are continuing their education at present, partly for the bad reason of lack of employment opportunity and partly for good reasons. It is important they should have the maximum education in preparation for employment here, or elsewhere in the case of the small number who emigrate. During the last three years the statistical evidence is that there is no nett emigration to Britain. Certainly some are going but as many are coming back. It is only in the last three years of this Government that nett emigration to Britain has come to an end. This does not resolve the problem. There is still a problem of young people.
I accept the Minister's reply up to his last statement and, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise this matter on the adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.