asked the Taoiseach (1) the percentage of unemployed persons in County Donegal and (2) the national average percentage of unemployed persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Unemployment Figures
13.
: A figure for the percentage of unemployed persons in County Donegal is not available at present because statistics on the labour force by county are not available.
The numbers on the live register in County Donegal at end September 1980 were 8,229, an increase of 14.5 per cent since end September 1979. The corresponding national figure was 105,567 at end September 1980, an increase of 27.9 per cent over end September 1979.
: Can the Minister give us the number of recent visitors by State cars?
: I can, of course.
: The taxpayer will know in time.
: What is the difference between "employed" and "gainfully employed"?
: How can the Minister honestly give figures for a net increase in the number of unemployed when he does not know how many are employed? When will these figures be available? Is there any significance in the fact that they are not available at the moment? Is it not a fact that in Donegal we have the highest percentage of unemployment in the county, not new but increasing?
: Unemployment anywhere is not acceptable to the Government. We are trying very hard to give information on this point and at the same time to provide employment. I have given the Deputy all the information I have.
: How can the Minister give figures when he has not got them? This is deceiving.
: I have given the information we have.
: Will the Minister deny that the figure for Donegal is 16 per cent?
: I regret the unemployment figure.
: The reply is ridiculous and in view of that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
: I will communicate with the Deputy.