asked the Taoiseach if he will state whether he received a deputation in October last representing 51 out-of-work 1916 men; and if he will state how many out of that number have since been placed in employment, and whether the employment was at home or abroad; and further if he is aware that one of these men has since died at St. Kevin's Hospital, Rialto, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of 1916 Men.
asked the Taoiseach whether he received from Cumann Sean-Oglach 1916 (1916 Veterans' Association) in October last a statement concerning the distress and poverty due to unemployment which that organisation alleges prevails amongst 1916 men; whether the organisation asserted in their statement that with the exception of those who held high rank in the I.R.A. and are, therefore, in receipt of big pensions as well as being in good positions the men concerned are receiving pensions which for the most part are barely sufficient to keep the recipients off the dole; whether the organisation suggested as a considered recommendation that permanent employment rather than pensions be provided for the veterans of 1916 now in poor circumstances or in the alternative that their pensions be so increased as to keep the recipients free from the spectre of hunger and cold; whether he will state if he has considered these representations; and, if so, whether he is in a position to say what steps will be taken by the Government to give effect to the proposals submitted by Cumann Sean-Oglach 1916.
I propose to answer questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I received the statement and saw the deputation referred to in the questions. The statement contained representations on the lines mentioned in Deputy Hickey's question, and the deputation advanced representations of a similar character. These representations were examined and considered by the Government.
So far as work on employment schemes is concerned the general principle on which the Government's policy has been based is that the opportunities for work should be made available to unemployed persons in the order of the greatest need, which is measured by the relative amounts of unemployment assistance of which they are in receipt. It has been represented that the receipt of military service and disability pensions operates in some cases actually to reduce the amount which, were it not for the pensions, would be payable to the recipients under various social services and to lessen their opportunities of obtaining employment. The Government decided some time ago to set up an inter-Departmental Committee to examine this matter and no time will be lost in considering the committee's report when it is available.
In the making of appointments to the public service the fundamental aim has been to secure persons whose qualifications and suitability are the highest among those who are applicants for the particular posts. The Government and its individual members have, however, done everything in their power, within the limits imposed upon them by considerations of the public interest, to place Old I.R.A. men in employment, and employment has in fact been found for large numbers of men who had national service during the period from 1916 to 1921. Those efforts will be continued, but the Government cannot pledge themselves to adopt any formal system of preference.
The Army Pensions and Military Service Pensions Acts were passed in an effort to meet, at least to some extent, the claims of those who fought in 1916 and in the course of the later phases of the struggle for independence. The pension awards are, however, based upon service and not upon individual needs, save in so far as that consideration is implied in the case of disability pensions, and, in many cases, are not sufficient to save from hardship men who have no other source of income. With regard to such cases, where men are incapable of work owing to age or infirmity and are in need, the Government have for some time had under consideration the possibility of making some additional provision. When a satisfactory solution has been found an announcement will be made.
I am aware that one of the unemployed 1916 men referred to in Deputy O'Higgins' question died in November last in the hospital referred to. As the Deputy must know, however, the circumstances in that particular case were exceptional. I should mention, too, that the man concerned did not apply for a military service pension until 30th June last.
Is the statement which the Taoiseach has made just now with regard to no preference being given to 1916 men in keeping with the answer he gave me when he said that the L.D.F. and the L.S.F. were to get preference in regard to employment?
In the case of the L.D.F. and the L.S.F., I pointed out that everything that was possible would be done. In this reply I am also indicating that everything it is possible to do now is being done.
"Economic needs", you say now; it was "preference" in the other case.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply, when he spoke about the Government's intention of examining the possibility of making special provision for those who are incapacitated by old age, and who had taken part in the struggle to make this country free, will the Government advert to those who took part in that struggle before 1916?
That is a separate question.
Surely not. The Taoiseach spoke about those who took part in the struggle to make this country free.
Both questions relate to the men of 1916.
The Taoiseach seemed to go outside it. I wondered if he intended to deal with the cases of those rendered infirm by old age who had taken part in the struggle before 1916. There was a struggle in this country before 1916, the House might remember.
I should like to ask the Taoiseach if he is aware that some of the men who were in prison in 1916 with the Taoiseach and myself are now in very bad circumstances? Is it not possible that something might be done to relieve them?
I have intimated what is being done and what is being attempted.
Would the Taoiseach say what Departments are represented on the inter-Departmental Committee set up to examine certain aspects of this question?
It may be necessary to give the particulars in a separate reply, but it is obvious that, for instance, the Department of Industry and Commerce would be one, and the Department of Local Government would be another, to examine what are regarded as the special hardships due to the fact that the pensions of which they are in receipt are taken into account in calculating means.
I just wanted to know what was the exact structure of the inter-Departmental Committee?
The Departments represented are: Finance, Defence, Industry and Commerce and Local Government.