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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Jun 1972

Vol. 262 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Statistics.

11.

asked the Taoiseach (a) the daily average number on the live register of unemployed for the years 1957 to 1972, inclusive; and (b) the number of people at work in the State for the same years.

The number of persons on the live register is ascertained once each week. With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the average of the weekly numbers on the live register for the years 1957 to 1971 and for 1972 to date. The comparability of the figures over the period is affected by administrative and legislative changes.

Estimates of the total number of persons at work are available only in respect of mid-April of each year. These are given in the tabular statement for the years 1957 to 1971. The corresponding estimate for 1972 is not yet available.

Following is the statement:

(a) Average weekly numbers on the Live Register in the years 1957 to 1971 and for 1972 to date.

Year

Number

1957

69,535

1958

65,406

1959

61,251

1960

52,789

1961

46,733

1962

46,477

1963

50,175

1964

48,553

1965

49,376

1966

47,729

1967

54,945

1968

58,432

1969

57,196

1970

64,994

1971

62,111

Average to 18 June 1971

65,014

Average to 16 June 1972

75,910

The comparability of the figures is affected by (i) the change in the content of the Live Register introduced in January, 1966, (ii) the non-operation of Employment Period Orders in 1967 to 1970 and in 1972, (iii) the extension of the duration of Unemployment Benefit payments from 156 to 312 days from 1 January, 1968 and (iv) the introduction from 1 October, 1970 of the payment of retirement pensions at Post Offices to insured persons who have retired from employment and who satisfy certain contribution conditions.

(b) Estimated total number of persons at work at mid-April.

(000)

1957

1,084

1958

1,068

1959

1,060

1960

1,055

1961

1,053

1962

1,060

1963

1,066

1964

1,071

1965

1,069

1966

1,066

1967

1,063

1968

1,067

1969

1,073

1970

1,066

1971

1,071

Is it not true that this year on average there are 10,000 more people unemployed and something like 70,000 people fewer at work, if you compare the figures for those two years?

It is, yes.

That sounds about right.

The average in June, 1971, was 65,000, and the average on 16th June, 1972, was 75,900. The Deputy is about right.

12.

asked the Taoiseach the annual average increase in employment during the past five years.

The latest available estimates of total employment relate to April, 1971.

In the five years 1966 to 1971, the number of persons engaged in agriculture declined by an average of 10,000 per annum while the number engaged in non-agricultural economic activity rose by an average of 11,000 per annum. The average increase in total employment over the five-year period was 1,000 persons per annum.

13.

asked the Taoiseach the number unemployed in Waterford city on 15th June, 1971, and on 15th June, 1972.

The number of persons residing in Waterford county borough on the live register was 951 on 26th May, 1972, and 670 on 28th May, 1971—the nearest available dates.

Does the Taoiseach regard that as a satisfactory or encouraging position?

Very unsatisfactory.

That is nice to know.

Does the Taoiseach remember the speech he made prior to the Deputy's by-election and all the things he promised on the side of the hill?

I remember telling the people of Waterford that we had decided to establish an industrial estate.

What about the 3,000 new jobs?

And it was established.

What about the 3,000 new jobs that you promised them?

It was not his by-election; it was Pat Browne's by-election, incidentally.

You did not keep your promise to the people of Waterford of 3,000 new jobs.

Would the Taoiseach agree that this is the Promised Land for Waterford?

The promises are being carried out. When I was in Waterford for that by-election, Fine Gael speakers scoffed at me and said that there would be no such thing as an industrial estate. It is there now and it is thriving, much to your regret.

What about the 3,000 new jobs? There are more people unemployed in Waterford now than there were.

Question No. 14.

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