§ Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there is any serious amount of unemployment in Ireland; and, if so, whether any steps are being taken to deal with it generally, and, if not, for what reason?
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§ Sir M. BARLOWI have been asked to reply. On the 4th February there were 54,404 men and 24,972 women registered at the Employment Exchanges in Ireland as wholly unemployed. There were also 44,440 persons drawing unemployed benefit or out-of-work donation during short-time working. There are, of course, other short-time workers not receiving benefit or donation. In view of the conditions prevailing in Ireland, special grants for works there have been made from time to time during the last three years, primarily for the purpose of providing employment for ex-service men. These grants, which total £515,000, have been administered by the Chief Secretary for Ireland. In addition, local authorities in Ireland may make application to the Unemployment Grants Committee for contributions to approval works. The payment of unemployment benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act and of out-of-work donation to ex-service men applies, of course, to Ireland.