Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:7 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the latest unemployment figures for each of the employment exchanges in south west Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Unemployment Figures.
The number of persons on the live register at each local employment office in south west Cork on 26 April 1991 is contained in a statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Number of persons on the live register on 26 April 1991 in each local employment office in south west Cork.
|
Bandon |
619 |
|
Bantry |
527 |
|
Castletownbere |
233 |
|
Clonakilty |
494 |
|
Dunmanway |
430 |
|
Skibbereen |
693 |
|
Total south-west Cork |
2,996 |
I can only assume that the Minister is too embarrassed to read the figures. Does he accept that the combination of the unemployment figures and the emigration figures from south west Cork at the moment are the worst in the history of the State?
The Deputy, as always, is exaggerating. The question deals with statistics which I will circulate in the Official Report.
The question specifically appertains to statistics, and matters of policy ought not to be raised at this stage.
I suppose I have to accept your ruling, but I would point out that I did ask for the figures which relate to only a half dozen exchanges, and the Minister would not even give me those. On that basis I have not got any statistics from him which can only lead me to the conclusion that the Minister is hiding the figures, he is hanging his head in shame at the awful picture in south west Cork at the moment due to unemployment and emigration.