asked the Taoiseach the most recent unemployment figures available for Waterford city and Waterford county; how these figures compare with those at the corresponding date in 1979; and the percentage of the available work force they represent.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Unemployment Figures.
3.
asked the Taoiseach the number of unemployed registered at the Waterford unemployment exchange at the latest available date and the number at the corresponding dates in 1978 and 1979.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The number of persons on the live register at Waterford city employment exchange on 31 October 1980 was 2,336; at corresponding dates in 1979 and 1978 the figures were 1,744 and 1,956 respectively. For the other employment offices in County Waterford the aggregate live register totals on the same dates were 671,416 and 450 respectively.
As regards the percentage of the available work force represented by the numbers on the live register, the position is, that a figure is calculated and published, on a quarterly basis, only for the south-east planning region. The relevant ratio for the region at mid-September 1980 was 12.2 per cent while the figure published for 1979 was 9.3 per cent although it must be borne in mind that a comparison of these figures is affected by the changes in the composition of the live register introduced from 1 January 1980.
I should also make it clear that the ratio in question, which is obtained by expressing the number of insured on the live register as a percentage of the total insured labour force—excluding the agriculture, fishing and domestic service sectors—is based on the location of the local employment office where each insured person is registered. As this may differ for a significant number of cases from the office where an unemployed person may sign in order to apply for unemployment benefits and unemployment assistance, meaningful results can be obtained only for relatively large areas such as the planning regions.
Did the Minister say that the percentage figure was 12.2?
Yes.
We are considerably worse off than Cork? Does that figure include people on short time?
Short-time and part-time workers are not included in the general number. That follows a decision of the inter-Departmental committee which reported in 1978.
What is the national average percentage unemployed?
The total number on the live register on 31 October was 110,921 and the figures for the corresponding period in 1979 and 1978 were almost 83,000 and 92,000.
What has happened to the manifesto?
Has the Minister the national percentage?
That is a separate question.
It looks as if Waterford, and the south-east in general, is the worst affected area other than Donegal for unemployment at present.
I do not agree.
With 12.2 per cent?