asked the Taoiseach the total number of people at work during 1951, and the estimated total number at work during the first quarter of 1966.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Persons at Work.
4.
According to the results of the 1951 Census of Population, the total number of persons at work in April of that year was 1,217,106 of whom 496,205 were engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing and 720,901 were engaged in other branches of economic activity. An estimate is made of the total number at work in respect of the month of April each year, but such estimates are not available until early the following year because of the fact that the returns on which these estimates are based take a considerable time to collect. The latest estimate is in respect of April, 1965, when the total number of persons at work was 1,050,000 of whom 338,000 were engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing and 712,000 were engaged in other branches of economic activity.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this means there are about 165,000 fewer people employed in April, 1965 than there were in 1951? What do the Government intend to do about this situation? Forget it or resign?
There is no hope of that.
"Let Lemass Lead On"?
(Interruptions.)
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a number of local authority employees, particularly casual workers, have lost their employment in recent months because of the reduction in grants for roads, housing, water and sanitary services and all other grants made available to local authorities? Are any definite measures being taken by the Government to provide employment for these people whose only alternative is emigration, and particularly in the case of casual workers? The same applies in the forestry section in regard to workers. There should be a clearcut statement on that point.
Question No. 5.
Give the Parliamentary Secretary a chance to answer, a Cheann Comhairle.
He has no answer.
(Cavan): This is June and he was supposed to have all the answers this month.