asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development the total number of people unemployed in Cork city, together with the corresponding figures for each of the past ten years; the percentage these figures represent of the available workforce; and the measures he proposes to take to solve this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Cork City Unemployed .
1.
: The following statement provides information on the total number of persons on the live register at Cork employment office at mid-March each year during the past ten years.
|
Year |
Number on the live register |
|
1978 |
4,368 |
|
1977 |
4,640 |
|
1976 |
4,756 |
|
1975 |
4,463 |
|
1974 |
2,348 |
|
1973 |
2,629 |
|
1972 |
3,057 |
|
1971 |
2,645 |
|
1970 |
2,075 |
|
1969 |
2,825 |
With regard to the percentage which these figures represent of the available workforce, the only relevant information relates to the ratio of the number of insured persons on the live register to the total insured workforce excluding the agriculture, fishing and domestic service sectors and is not available for the years prior to 1974. On that basis, the percentages, at mid-March each year for the past five years, were as follows:
|
1978 |
8.2 per cent |
|
1977 |
8.7 per cent |
|
1976 |
8.8 per cent |
|
1975 |
9.4 per cent |
|
1974 |
3.9 per cent |
Caution should, however, be exercised in interpreting these percentage figures as in some instances persons may be registered for social insurance purposes in an employment office situated in an area different from that in which they work.
The various options for dealing with unemployment have been outlined in the Green Paper, Development for Full Employment, published last week and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government invite comments from interested parties on these options.
Of special relevance to the greater Cork area is the target of 3,900 new grant-aided manufacturing jobs for that area contained in the recent IDA industrial plan for 1977-1980. Finally I should mention also the Government's commitment to the Cork Harbour Development Plan and the Cork Regional Water Supply Scheme which are important elements in enhancing the attractiveness of the area for further investment and job creation. This is evidenced from the financial provision the Government have made for these projects in 1978 of £3.65 million and £4.75 million respectively compared with expenditure in 1977 of £1.12 million and £4.11 million respectively.
: Although the figures given have been fairly static during the past two to four years, would the Minister be prepared to give further consideration to the problem in Cork having regard to the possibility of redundancies in the Verholme (Cork) Dockyard and also the situation regarding the textile industry, a traditional industry which is gone now?
: I assure the Deputy that the Government are conscious of the need for active employment and job creation policies and that we are conscious of the situation in the Cork area. We will ensure that all possible assistance is given for job-creation projects in the area.
: Is it not disappointing that there is a drop of only 0.5 per cent in the unemployment figure for Cork city while there was a growth rate of 5.5 per cent in the economy?
: I would not accept that.
: Would the Minister tell the House why there has been a decrease of this level only—from 8.7 to 8.2 per cent?
: On several occasions we have had a debate about the relationship between the figures on the live register and the numbers actually at work or out of work and I do not propose to re-open that debate to-day.
: Would the Minister accept that the figures he has presented to the House raise a question mark about figures given by the Government in relation to job creation?
: I would not accept that.