asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development the basis of the calculation in the Government's Green Paper, page 66, Development for Full Employment, that, in combination, the various work-sharing possibilities could produce the required total of 65,000 jobs.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Job Creation .
19.
: The Green Paper puts forward two options for attaining full employment—worksharing and a residual job creation pro-gramme. It is recognised that in practice a combination of these options might be the most appropriate solution.
The statement referred to by the Deputy is based on the calculation that 65,000 jobs could possibly be created if approximately 8 per cent of time worked this year in the non-agricultural sector were to be allocated effectively to persons who are unemployed. The paper indicates a number of ways through which this allocation might be achieved. The precise mixture of measures which can be introduced and the extent to which each of these can be applied will depend on detailed examination and on discussion between the Government and the social partners.
: Would the Minister agree that bearing in mind the exigencies of overtime working in the non-agricultural sector on which the calculations were based and bearing in mind the degree to which work-sharing would be practicable, to come to a conclusion that 65,000 jobs could be created, and to put it into a Green Paper when one might appropriately be talking about perhaps 2,000 or 3,000 jobs——
: That is a long argument.
: ——is an exaggerated expectation?
: As I said in my reply it is recognised that in practice a combination of these options might be the most appropriate solution, but dealing specifically with the work-sharing aspect, the Green Paper points out that the reduction of one hour in the standard working week is the equivalent of about 20,000 jobs and one week's holidays is the equivalent of 16,000 jobs. In the building and construction industry and manufacturing industries alone the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in a report on youth employment indicated that overtime working amounts to the equivalent of another 20,000 jobs approximately. If even a proportion of that overtime could be phased out over a period that should make a significant contribution. In addition there might be scope for a reduction in overtime working in the public sector. Their reference to earlier retirement says that the total number of people in the 60 plus age group at present working in industry and services is of the order of 35,000. Clearly between those three categories alone, there is more than adequate scope for achieving the whole of the 65,000 target if necessary. Therefore, I cannot accept the tenor of the Deputy's remarks.
: Would the Minister accept that the various possibilities outlined here are fundamentally based not only on work sharing but on income sharing and that in the context of an 8 per cent pay agreement this year plus 2 per cent anomalies plus 2 per cent productivity, plus another 2 per cent drift, there is not an employer here, facing as he does, increased labour costs in the region of 15 per cent for 1978-79, who will agree to give a reduction of one hour or to have the possibilities envisaged by the Minister introduced?
: Order.
: I fail to see the relevance of most of the Deputy's remarks to the issue in hand. I hope that people will adopt a more urgent and serious approach to this question of employment creation. The whole tenor of the Deputy's remarks appear to imply that there is nothing we can do about unemployment.
: I will accept 2,000 or 3,000 jobs but not 65,000.
: That is a contribution. Let us make a start.
: So the Minister is retracting the figure of 65,000?
: I am certainly not, under any circumstances.
: Order.
: Deputy Haughey used to say that academics should stick to their academies.
(Interruptions.)
: The realities of industrial life do not give 65,000 jobs.
: Order please, order. Deputy Mitchell please, one final supplementary.
: Does the word "job" as used throughout the Green Paper, the White Paper and the Fianna Fail Manifesto mean a job for 50 weeks of the year and 40 hours of the week?
: The Deputy has raised a whole series of questions. I suggest the Deputy table a separate question and I will deal with it fully.