asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the very high level of unemployment in the country.
17.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Level.
16.
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the fact that the number of persons unemployed has increased by over 4,000 as compared with last year; if he will state the reason for this increase; and if he will indicate what measures if any the Government propose to take to reduce this high figure.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Deputy L'Estrange's question on Thursday, 19th November, 1970, in which I stated that the high number on the live register at that time was due to the lingering effects of the cement and banks' disputes. The after-effects of these disputes, together with certain structural factors related to improved social welfare payments, continue to be mainly responsible for the increase in numbers on the live register. As I stated in my reply to Deputy L'Estrange, the solution of the problem of unemployment and emigration is, in the Government's view, to be found primarily in the creation of new opportunities for employment in industry. Employment in industry has been rising rapidly in the past two years and it is Government policy to continue to press ahead with the encouragement of new industries with a view to reducing unemployment and emigration.
I do not know what opportunities have become available but I do know that there are nearly 70,000 people unemployed at present, which is an increase of 4,000 compared with the previous year, and as a result of the bank dispute it is possible that this number will go even higher and I should like the Taoiseach to comment on this aspect of the matter.
The rate of increase in industrial employment has been maintained very well this year. It was at a record level of 11,200 last year and the first six months of this year compared with the first six months of last year is well up to that standard of increase.
The question was not about employment but about unemployment.
I think the figures relate one to the other, do they not?
Would the Taoiseach not agree that according to an answer which he gave to me over two months ago there are over 100,000 fewer in employment now than in 1956 and would he not further agree that only for the fact that the unemployment figures were fiddled three years ago and 24,000 taken off, through a new method of calculation, there would be now over 95,000 unemployed?
On the contrary, the structural changes to which I referred in my original reply are conducive to higher numbers on the register.
Not at all.
(Interruptions.)