asked the Taoiseach the number of persons registered for unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance at the Dún Laoghaire employment exchange, County Dublin, at the beginning of the month in January, 1976, and February, 1976, and the comparable figures for the same two months in 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
3.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the required information.
Following is the statement:
NUMBER of persons registered for Unemployment Benefit and Unemployment Assistance at the Dún Laoghaire Employment Exchange.
|
Date at beginning of |
U.B. Claimants |
U.A. Applicants |
||
|
1976 |
1975 |
1976 |
1975 |
|
|
January |
1,652 |
1,430 |
688 |
405 |
|
February |
1,654 |
1,463 |
760 |
469 |
Surely the information sought could be given in four figures. Would the Parliamentary Secretary give them to the House?
Unemployment benefit claimants: January, 1976, 1,652; January, 1975, 1,430; February, 1976, 1,654; February, 1975, 1,463; unemployment assistance applicants: January, 1976, 688; January, 1975, 405; February, 1976, 760; and February, 1975, 469.
I am grateful to the Parliamentary Secretary for giving me the figures. Arising out of what the Parliamentary Secretary has said, would he agree that the unemployment situation in Dún Laoghaire is desperate and what action, if any, do the Government contemplate taking?
The Deputy's question was essentially statistical. He is now entering into the area of policy which is deserving of a separate question to the appropriate Minister.
Surely I am entitled to ask questions about Dún Laoghaire unemployment.
The Deputy asked for figures.
I have got the figures from the Parliamentary Secretary. Arising out of those figures I am asking what will be done about the desperate unemployment situation in Dún Laoghaire.
That is a separate question.
It is not a separate question.
The Chair so decides. Question No. 4.
With great respect——
The Deputy must put down a question on that subject.
I have got the information from the Parliamentary Secretary. The question is being glossed over by your unfair and selective ruling. I must ask you to be fair.
I have ruled on the matter.
Every time a number of Deputies on the Opposition side get up you seem to be selective in your ruling.
That is an allegation against the Chair.
It is a fair allegation.
Were it not that I do not wish to waste precious time at Question Time, I would apply the rules to the Deputy.
I can understand why the Government are covering up the situation.