asked the Taoiseach whether his attention had been drawn to the further increase as at 20th April in the number of unemployed persons on the live register, and to the fact that the number is now over 6,000 greater than at the corresponding date last year; and whether he has any comment to make on this unemployment situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Situation.
3.
The increase in the live register total on the 20th April was due to the registration of Córas Iompair Éireann Road Passenger Service workers for social insurance credits and not—as one might infer from the question—to a lessening of employment opportunities in that week.
From a record low figure—for the time of year—in the first week in January last, the live register total rose rapidly to reach a peak on 9th February, when it stood much higher than at the corresponding dates in 1961 and 1962—but lower than in the previous years. As the House will recall, the weather had by that time been unusually severe for a long period, and employment in agriculture, building, construction, quarrying etc. was very badly affected. In each succeeding week since 9th February, the number of unemployment benefit claimants has fallen, as has the total of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance claimants. This successive improvement was also apparent in the live register total, and in the comparison with the 1962 figures, until the second week in April, when two important strikes began.
Is the Taoiseach in a position to say the number of workers now signing for credits?
Indeed, I am glad to have the opportunity of doing so. My understanding is that there were some 5,000 workers affected by the CIE dispute. It would be in the interest of all that they should sign for these credits; otherwise, they might find their pension rights at some stage in jeopardy. They are not all doing so. Our information is that about 3,000 are doing so.
Even with those 3,000, the Taoiseach will in any case recognise that there is an increase in the number on the register as unemployed as compared with similar periods in 1962 and 1961?
The big increase in the recent figures is for this class of "others"—persons not claiming benefit or assistance.
The Taoiseach must recognise that on the overall figures of those registered on the live register, there is an increase and has been a gradual increase over the past few weeks?
No; I cannot accept that. There has been a continuing fall in the number of persons claiming benefit of one kind or another.
Compared with similar periods in 1962 and 1961, there has been a consistent increase of some thousands?
Not necessarily. One could not at this stage attempt to assess the indirect effect of these strikes I referred to on employment.
The Taoiseach thinks the strike is responsible for the increase?
For the increase in the past couple of weeks, that is, in the total on the register. The number claiming benefits has gone down; the total on the register has gone up.