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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 4

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Unemployment Figures.

Bernard Allen

Question:

5 Mr. Allen asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the figures for unemployment for the past ten years in Cork city in real terms and as a percentage of the overall workforce.

The number of persons on the live register in Cork city on the last Friday in April for each of the years 1981 to 1991, inclusive, is contained in a statement which follows.

At a national level the definitive source of information on the overall labour force and its composition in terms of those employed and unemployed is the annual Labour Force Survey. Corresponding information at the level of county and county borough is only available from five yearly censuses of population.

The number of persons unemployed as a percentage of the labour force for the area comprising Cork County Borough and its suburbs was 10.5 per cent in 1981 and 20.2 per cent in 1986 as derived from the relevant censuses.

Following is the statement:

Number of persons on the live register in Cork city on the last Friday in April for each of the years 1981 to 1991, inclusive.

1981

6,350

1982

7,732

1983

10,379

1984

12,758

1985

13,426

1986

12,909

1987

13,195

1988

13,282

1989

13,399

1990

13,447

1991

14,217

I am disappointed that the Taoiseach has left the House rather than stay to deal with a question dealing with unemployment in the second largest city in the country. Will the Minister of State say what steps the Government are taking to deal with the most malignant social problem of all in Cork City?

That is a separate question.

It is a relevant question.

Deputy Allen, your question is clearly statistical. Matters of policy do not arise. If you want to enter the policy area then you must put down a separate question.

I now call Question No. 6. The questions we are embarking upon now are Priority Questions, for which 15 minutes only is provided in Standing Orders. I seek the co-operation of all concerned, Government and Opposition, to try to dispose of the five questions within the time laid down.

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