asked the Minister for Finance (a) the number of unemployed in June 1977 and in December 1980 and (b) the total reduction in numbers unemployed between 1977 and end-1980 contained in the economic targets of the Government published in National Development 1977-1980.
Written Answers. - Unemployment Statistics.
18.
Estimates for the number unemployed are published only in respect of the month of April. For other months, the only indicator of unemployment is the live register. The number on the live register was 103,500 in June 1977 and 122,200 in December 1980. I should draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the live register, while providing a reasonably reliable guide to changes in unemployment, is faulty as a measure of the absolute level.
The targets in the White Paper "National Development 1977-1980" relate to net increases in employment. Figures published by the CSO show that net employment increased by 80,000 between April 1977 and April 1980. This increase is equal to the total target set by the Government for the period from mid-1977 to the end of 1980. At this stage, it is not possible to measure precisely the net employment change from April 1980 to end 1980.