asked the Minister for Labour if the benefits of the resettlement scheme in relation to Irish emigrants apply only to those who are brought back to jobs by the National Manpower Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigrants' Resettlement Scheme.
13.
The benefits of the resettlement scheme in relation to Irish emigrants have been available since 1971 to persons who have sought or obtained employment in Ireland through the National Manpower Service. Exceptionally, the benefits of the scheme may also be made available where an emigrant is brought home to fill a vacancy which the manpower service have been unable to fill or where an emigrant, who has registered with the service but has not been offered a suitable job, gets a job in Ireland by his own efforts. In such instances approval of the National Manpower Service in advance of the actual resettlement is necessary.
Is the Minister stating that even though they come home after finding a job on their own — and many of our emigrants have acquired skills abroad — they must have the approval of the National Manpower Service?
Yes.
I do not think the scheme was originally intended to be that way. This is a most generous scheme which makes provision for different types of benefit, the bringing back of furniture, even the payment of rent for a period of waiting while they are at home, the cost of bringing home their families. Is the Minister aware that in the past year or two many emigrants have succeeded, off their own bat, in finding employment here?
Could I remind the Deputy of the regulations he made when he was Minister for Labour? Resettlement assistance regulations were made by the then Minister for Labour, Deputy Brennan, and a news release of 28th October, 1971, announcing the making of the new regulations stated:
The benefits under the extended scheme were payable to all categories of workers, including returned emigrants, on the following conditions:
This is the condition of which I would remind the Deputy:
(1) That the job was notified to and filled through the National Manpower Service.
I know Deputies opposite have a bad memory——
That was not an absolutely essential part of the bringing home of emigrants to jobs here.
That is a requirement.
If the Minister will read through the documents he will find that payments have been made to emigrants who returned to jobs here without being brought home through the National Manpower Service. Would the Minister agree payment has been made?
I have only reminded my predecessor in office of regulations he made. If he does not like the regulations——
The regulation the Minister has read out does not preclude payment to emigrants coming back here to take up jobs.