Vol. 199 No. 7
asked the Taoiseach whether, in view of the considerable increase for some time past in the number of unemployed persons on the Live Register over the figures for similar weeks in 1961 and 1962, he will make a statement on the general position with regard to unemployment.
3.
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that the number of registered unemployed has increased by over 10,000 since the end of January, 1962; if he will explain the cause of this situation; and what steps the Government propose to take to remedy it.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
As recently as the 5th January last, the Live Register total was lower than that for the corresponding date in 1962. There was subsequently a progressive increase in the 1963 totals, over those for 1962, until the 26th January, when the figure exceeded that of the corresponding date in 1962 by more than 10,000.
The returns from the local offices of the Department of Social Welfare make it clear that the very severe weather conditions experienced last month are the main cause of the increased unemployment, which has affected all parts of the country and has hit, in particular, those employed in agriculture and in building and construction—including county council road workers.
There is every reason to expect that the return of fair weather will be followed by a rapid increase in employment which will bring the situation back to what it was in recent years.
Are you suggesting that we had no winter last year?
We certainly had not one like this.
