John Ellis
Question:1 Mr. Ellis asked the Taoiseach the number of people unemployed in counties Sligo and Leitrim as at 1 January 1993, 1 January 1994 and 1 January 1995. [21597/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Figures.
John Ellis
Question:2 Mr. Ellis asked the Taoiseach the number of people unemployed in counties Sligo and Leitrim as at 1 May 1996, 1 June 1996, 1 July 1996, 1 August 1996, 1 September 1996, 1 October 1996 and 1 November 1996. [21594/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Definitive statistics on the level of unemployment are based on the Labour Force Survey. The most recent results show that in the year to April 1996 the level of unemployment fell by 1,000 to 190,000. Unfortunately, Labour Force Survey results are not available in respect of individual counties or catchment areas of social welfare offices.
I propose to circulate in the Official Report the following statement showing the number of persons on the live register in counties Sligo and Leitrim at the dates in question. However, the live register is not an accurate indicator of the level of unemployment.
Number of persons on the Live Register in Counties Sligo and Leitrim
|
Month (last Friday) |
County Sligo |
County Leitrim |
|
December 1992 |
3,701 |
1,821 |
|
December 1993 |
3,579 |
1,845 |
|
December 1994 |
3,377 |
1,837 |
|
April 1996 |
3,496 |
1,786 |
|
May 1996 |
3,498 |
1,820 |
|
June 1996 |
3,810 |
1,937 |
|
July 1996 |
3,855 |
2,110 |
|
August 1996 |
3,809 |
2,047 |
|
September 1996 |
3,590 |
1,935 |
|
October 1996 |
3,404 |
1,782 |
Given that the Minister of State referred to the Labour Force Survey, will he indicate why it has been used as a bible by certain other Ministers in regard to statistics for the past six months?
As I said, the Labour Force Survey is carried out on a scientific basis. A set number of households, 45,000, are assessed on an annual basis and it is recognised as the definitive measure of unemployment. It is the normal measure used in other countries. As I said in the House on previous occasions in regard to updating the statistics, it is proposed to introduce quarterly labour force surveys as and from 1997.
For clarification purposes I will give details of the number of persons on the live register. The Deputy requested figures for 1 January 1992, 1993 and 1994. Those I have are end of year figures. A total of 3,701 persons were on the live register in County Sligo in December 1992, 3,579 in December 1993, 3,377 in December 1994 and the figures for the months in question include 3,496 in April 1996, 3,498 in May 1996, 3,810 in June 1996, 3,855 in July 1996, 3,809 in August 1996, 3,590 in September 1996 and 3,404 in October 1996. The number on the live register in County Sligo has fallen from December 1992, the first year in respect of which information is sought, to 3,404 in October 1996.
A total of 1,821 persons were on the live register in County Leitrim in December 1992, 1,845 in December 1993, 1,837 in December 1994, 1,786 in April 1996, 1,820 in May 1996, 1,937 in June 1996, 2,110 in July 1996, 2,047 in August 1996, 1,935 in September 1996 and 1,782 in October 1996. The number on the live register in County Leitrim has fallen from 1,821 in December 1992, the first year in respect of which information is sought, to 1,782 in October 1996, which represents a marginal decrease.
I thank the Minister of State for the details. Can he tell us how many of those people took up employment during that period? How many are accounted for by natural wastage or emigration?
I do not have the information. From the perspectives of social profile and economic indicators and planning, we must have the most comprehensive information possible. I will do what I can to see if we can get that information. I do not have it on file and there is no process currently by which it can be obtained but that is something that could be looked at.