Vol. 418 No. 5
3 Mr. McCormack asked the Taoiseach the total number of people on the unemployment register for Galway city and county at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will outline the corresponding figures for the same period in 1991.
There were 13,719 persons on the live register in employment exchanges in Galway city and county on 28 February 1992. The corresponding figure for 22 February 1991 was 11,275.
It is obvious that the unemployment figures for County Galway increased by 2,500 during that 12 month period. This is a shocking indictment of Government policy. The two Ministers from west Galway are doing nothing about the unemployment problem in the county.
The Deputy may not enter into the area of policy now.
We should be able to talk about policy when 2,500 people have lost their jobs in my county during a 12-month period.
The Deputy may talk about policy as much as he likes but not in respect of this question which is statistical and deals with figures only.
I wish to talk about the figures. How has it been possible for 2,500 jobs to be lost in County Galway within a year when two Ministers represent that constituency?
Does that figure include the two Ministers who lost their jobs?
Has the Minister of State any information on the relative increase in the number of unemployed people under the age of 25? Does he agree that there has been a disproportionately large increase in the number of unemployed people under 25 years in most employment exchanges during the past 12 months?
That is a very specific question. I do not have the details but I will certainly communicate with the Deputy. If Deputy McCormack is concerned about the unemployed in Galway and has ideas in relation to reducing the figure, I suggest he joins the committee on unemployment.
We are not very impressed with that answer.
I am now proceeding to questions nominated for priority for which 15 minutes only are provided in the Standing Orders of this House. I ask the co-operation of Deputies in completing the five questions before me. Brevity is essential.
