asked the Taoiseach the number of unemployed registered in Limerick city at the latest available date and the percentage of the insured population of the city which this represents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Statistics.
2.
The number of persons residing in Limerick city on the live register at the end of April, 1975, was 3,444. Figures for the insured population resident in Limerick city are not available.
Would I be correct in saying that on those figures alone the percentage of the insured population of Limerick city registered as unemployed at the moment is in excess of 10 per cent?
Mr. R. Burke
As I told the Deputy, the figures for the insured population are not available.
Would the Minister not emphasise the fact that we had a much larger unemployment figure in Limerick city and we gave them free beef?
This is a statistical question. I cannot allow matters of policy to be adverted to.
They are now getting substantial social welfare payments.
There was a famine in 1849.
There is another famine in Fianna Fáil in 1975.
There is a famine of economic ideas on the other side of the House.
Fianna Fáil are brainless and thoughtless.
3.
asked the Taoiseach the unemployment figures of each of the nine EEC countries as a percentage of the work force at the latest available date.
Mr. R. Burke
The systems under which short-term unemployment statistics are compiled and the definitions and concepts involved, vary considerably from country to country, and it is not possible to quote comparable unemployment totals, or unemployment rates, for the different EEC countries.
Is the fact that the Minister on behalf of the Taoiseach who is present refuses to answer either this question or the previous question due to the fact that these figures which are well known are very embarrassing to the Government?
Mr. R. Burke
On the contrary. The indications which are coming from another source and which will be published today show, in effect, that if one takes the period 1974-75 Ireland is faring better than most countries in Europe and in some countries the increase in unemployment is 337 per cent, 294 per cent, 55 per cent and 69 per cent, so we are not doing badly at all by comparison with other European countries.