asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a number of residents in Northern Ireland, who served in the Defence Forces during the emergency, cannot now secure residence permits in Northern Ireland, and whether, in the circumstances, he will take special measures to assist them to get employment in Éire on their discharge from the forces.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Refusal of Residence Permits.
No such case has come to my notice. The special arrangements for assisting demobilised members of the Defence Forces to secure employment are dealt with in the White Paper on the Demobilisation and Resettlement of Members of the Forces, and the facilities indicated are available to all demobilised men irrespective of place of residence before enlistment.
If I can submit facts to the Minister which go to show that a man normally resident in County Down left County Down at the beginning of the emergency for the purpose of offering his services to the National Army in Ireland and, on being discharged, was informed by the authorities in Northern Ireland that he would require a residence permit to return to his native place and that they will not vouchsafe one, will the Minister consider taking special steps to accommodate persons who find themselves in that situation?
Certainly. The Deputy understands, I think, that special measures are being taken to assist demobilised soldiers to secure employment. These special steps will be taken on behalf of all individuals who are demobilised.
Surely the Minister recognises that a native of Dublin, Cork or Kerry has a natural background which he can fall back upon to secure employment on his discharge, apart altogether from the special measures for the relief and rehabilitation of discharged soldiers, but the fellow from County Down, whose very accent proclaims that he has no business or family associations with this part of the country, finds that the only assistance he can look to comes from the rehabilitation scheme to which the Minister has referred. Persons normally resident in Northern Ireland are under a distinct advantage in that respect. If I submit particulars of such cases to the Minister, perhaps he will look into them?
If particulars are sent to me, I shall certainly look into them.