asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the emigration of whole families, particularly from the small and medium sized family farms, which is caused largely by the increased cost of living, increases in rates etc. while the income earned on these types of farms is falling; and, if so, what proposals the Government have to supplement the income of these people so as to halt or reduce the flight from the land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigration of Families.
1.
In 1958 the Government introduced a programme of economic expansion designed to remove the economic reasons for emigration. That programme continues to be developed with vigour as is evident from the record increases in the national income recently. The success of the programme must show itself first in reduced unemployment and then in reduced emigration. The reduction in unemployment is apparent already from the Live Register statistics. There are no short-term emigration statistics available, but the net outward passenger balance by sea and air in the current year give grounds for the expectation that there is a substantial reduction in net emigration. These balances are at present running at about 14,000 below the figures for the corresponding period of 1960.
In reply to previous Dáil Questions on 27th April, 1960, 2nd November, 1960, and 1st March, 1961, I gave details of a very extensive list of special measures which had been taken to promote greater economic progress and to open new opportunities of employment in the West of Ireland. All these measures are proceeding with increasing benefits to these areas.
The Taoiseach appears to have missed the point of my question. While I am very grateful for the figures he has given on the matter of emigration as a whole, I am speaking more of a class of people who are being forced off the land, people from the smaller and medium sized farms—
Is the Deputy asking a question?
I am asking if the Government have any special measures which would have the effect of holding these people on the land, apart from the general measures referred to?
I have indicated already to the Deputy in reply to previous questions that a very large number of special schemes have been brought into effect which are properly applicable to circumstances in the West of Ireland. Further schemes are being initiated both by the Departments concerned with economic affairs and, in the areas where it is concerned, by the Department of the Gaeltacht. Needless to remark, the Government will be prepared to consider any possibility that may be suggested for further extension of activities of that kind but I should like to express my view that, so far as the reduction of emigration is a national objective, it must be considered in relation to the situation of the country as a whole rather than in relation to the particular problems of some areas.
Would the Taoiseach consider a scheme of subsidisation or help in some form or other to tide over this period those who cannot find employment, or for whom employment is not available and who must, if they cannot get some form of help, emigrate?
I suppose I could say that the social welfare arrangements now operating meet that need to some extent. The possibility of altering these arrangements or extending them is, of course, constantly under consideration.
Might I ask the Taoiseach if he is aware that the Social Welfare Acts as they are being administered at the present time are driving people wholesale off the land instead of being a help to them?
Does the Taoiseach realise that as the cost of living rises— as it is now steeply doing, having gone up four points to last August and having since risen substantially again— the income of the small farmers has remained static or declined and that there is urgent need of some supplementary income for these farmers to enable them to retain their holdings either by way of public works or something that will enable them to get extra income to meet the increased cost of living?
In reply to Deputy Blowick, may I say that the Government are most concerned to keep under review the operation of social welfare arrangements particularly in those small farm areas and investigations are constantly proceeding as to methods of changing their administration so as to achieve the results we had in mind when we conceived them. In regard to Deputy Dillon's supplementary question, it raises a very big problem. While I know he would agree that the wiser or better course is to try to devise methods of increasing the productivity of the land comprised in these small farms, if that cannot be done in sufficient degree or with sufficient speed, then alternative methods of providing income for these people must be considered but the practical difficulty of doing that on a scale which would be extensive enough and which would meet the hardship, wherever hardship lasts, is quite considerable.
Very considerable, but it is very urgent, and it arises from the cost of living.