Vol. 417 No. 5
428 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he believes that dole applicants should leave their homes in rural areas and move to urban areas to join the city dole queues; whether he sees any merit in reversing this trend and encouraging people to live in country areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Applicants for unemployment payments are expected to be available for work and to make genuine and reasonable efforts to seek employment and each application is determined by reference to the facts particular to the case in question.
Each application is examined objectively and impartially no matter where the applicant resides. I do not propose to alter this practice.
Choice and place of residence is a personal matter for each citizen and it would be inappropriate of me to suggest to anyone where they should reside.
