asked the Taoiseach what steps are being taken by the Government to relieve the serious unemployment, particularly in rural areas, in the West.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Relief of Unemployment in the West.
1.
One of the primary objectives of the Government's Programme for Economic Expansion is the reduction of unemployment all over the country. Though the Programme has been in operation for less than two years substantial results have been realised. As the Deputy's Question refers particularly to unemployment, I must point out that the rate of unemployment in 1960 was the lowest ever recorded, and, so far in 1961, the figures show an improvement over 1960.
As regards the west of Ireland I would refer the Deputy to my replies to similar questions in this House on the 27th April, 1960, and the 2nd November, 1960, in which I detailed exceptional measures taken by the Government to promote the economic welfare of that area. To supplement the information then given, I might mention the following facts:
The financial commitments incurred by An Foras Tionscal under the Undeveloped Areas Acts are now over £4,500,000. The projects approved by that body represent a total capital investment of £11,500,000 and are expected to give employment to 8,000 persons.
The formation of Min Fhéir (1959) Teoranta, was referred to in the earlier of the two replies mentioned. The Company has since commenced operations on 1,900 acres of land acquired at Geesala, County Mayo.
Counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Clare and Kerry and the West Cork area will benefit substantially from the £430,000 allocated by Bord Fáilte Éireann for large-scale tourist-development programmes in those areas.
The Government have recently sanctioned the expenditure of £340,000 on a harbour-improvement scheme for Galway Harbour.
Research projects are in hands to ascertain if successful forestry development can be undertaken on Western peat-type soils, unplantable according to present standards. Positive results from this research would tend to step up forestry development in the west, where 75 per cent. of the total area at present on offer to the Forestry Division of the Department of Lands is situated.
Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, expect to have in operation, in time for the 1961 potato crop, a factory in Tuam to manufacture potato flakes.
The Deputy will have seen the announcement made yesterday of the increased Road Fund Grants for the coming financial year.
Finally, the Deputy will be interested to know that £1,778,415, or over half the total amount spent by the Irish Land Commission in the last five financial years on estate-improvement works, was spent in Donegal, Clare, Kerry and the counties of Connaught. Similarly, £364,461, or over half the grants for employment and emergency schemes this year, has been allocated to the same eight counties.
Do you not think, Sir, the Taoiseach might at the same time tell us something about emigration?
Does the Taoiseach realise that there is widespread unemployment, amounting to distress in cases where families are concerned? Does he not realise that employment along the lines of that provided by the Local Authorities (Works) Act, and such other measures in force some years ago, is needed in order to stem the flight from the country? I am well aware that those other projects are very useful. They are, however, confined to small areas and, outside these small areas, there is widespread unemployment and distress.
In view of the fact that employment in the rural areas is decreasing year after year—it decreased in 1960; I am sure it will show another decrease this year—would the Taoiseach not agree that the efforts he describes ought to be stepped up?
Is it not a fact that the areas the Taoiseach mentioned along the western seaboard are almost certain within the next 12 months to lose the services of a Deputy? Does that not show the trend? The unemployed in these areas have gone to England. If that were not the case representation would not be reduced.
The measures I have outlined, which are supplemental to the projects I referred to in earlier replies, do not represent all possible schemes for the improvement of economic conditions in the area. As time goes on, they will be added to.
The Taoiseach has not adverted to the fact that employment in the rural areas is still decreasing despite all these efforts.
I do not follow the Deputy's contention.
Does the Taoiseach advert to the fact that the bulk of the small farmers living west of the Shannon employ no labour; that at certain seasons of the year they require supplemental employment themselves in order to make it reasonably economic for them to raise families on the kind of holdings they have? In those circumstances, the absence of works such as those provided by the Local Authorities (Works) Act, and analogous enterprises, are tending to create an economic situation which is resulting in catastrophic emigration from that area.
The total amount being spent upon road works and similar constructional activities in the West of Ireland at present is far in excess of what was spent when the Act to which the Deputy refers was operating—with the difference that the present expenditure is less wasteful.
And the work is being done by bulldozers.