Vol. 421 No. 8
6 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach whether any further changes in the compilation of the live register statistics on unemployment are under consideration by the Central Statistics Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The statistical review completed last year which led to the recent changes in the compilation of the live register statistics was the third to be undertaken in the past 26 years. The previous reviews took place in 1966 and 1979. On all three occasions the reviews were undertaken in order to enhance the value of the live register as a means of monitoring short term trends in unemployment on an objective statistical basis.
There are no plans to conduct a further general review of this nature in the foreseeable future. The statistical impact of any future administrative changes to the social welfare system will, however, continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis as they arise.
I have two statistical questions I wish to ask of the Minister of State. First, could he confirm that as a result of the alterations in the figures approximately one-fifth of those previously registered as unemployed have now been taken off the live register for the purposes of statistics — from approximately 20 per cent down to 16 per cent? Second, would the Minister say where statistically those people can be found, or do they no longer exist?
The Deputy may not be aware but I answered a specific question in connection with this issue tabled by Deputy De Rossa last week. Speaking from memory, about 30,000 of those people are on the pre-retirement schemes credit and the other 5,000 are on a separate register.
They are no longer unemployed?
People on the pre-retirement scheme have indicated that they do not want to be termed as unemployed.
Is the Minister satisfied that those who have been removed from the live register have clearly indicated to the relevant authorities of Government that they are no longer actively seeking employment in the labour market?
I am quite satisfied that the change in the register is in compliance with the wishes and decision of the committee, an expert group consisting of representatives of the Department of the Taoiseach, Finance, Labour, Industry and Commerce and Social Welfare, the Central Statistics Office, the Federation of Irish Employers, the Federation of Irish Industry and the ICTU. That review took place under this committee and they made the decision and made the recommendation that was accepted by all parties to that.
Ar aghaidh a seacht. We now come to deal with priority questions addressed to the Minister for Defence. Let me say, as is my wont, there are five priority questions here. Let us try earnestly to dispose of them within the 15 minutes provided for in Standing Orders.
