asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of unemployed single men registered at the Cork Employment Exchange whose claims to unemployment assistance were disallowed in each of the weeks ended May 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, 1941, and the grounds on which such claims were disallowed.

The answer is given in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

The following is the statement:—

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of men registered at the Cork Employment Exchange who in each of the last four weeks for which the information is available were (1) offered service in or instructed to join the Construction Corps; (2) the number who accepted; (3) the number who refused to accept such offers or follow such instructions, and (4) the number whose claims to (a) unemployment benefit, and (b) unemployment assistance were disallowed consequent on their refusal or failure to join the Construction Corps.

The answer is given in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

The following is the statement:—

The number of persons registered at Cork Employment Exchange who refused to accept employment in the Construction Crops in the four weeks ended the 31st May, 1941, is 626. Separate figures for each week are not available.

I take it there were a number of these men struck off unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit for not joining the Construction Corps. Is the Minister aware that simultaneously with that 1,300 of these men were employed for turf-cutting at Donoughmore about 22 miles from Cork at 35/- a week, less 2/6 for transport? Surely it cannot be contended that these men were shirking employment when they were so anxious to go out there to cut turf.

If I understand the Deputy correctly, if these men were definitely engaged for employment, I do not see how they were entitled to unemployment assistance at all.

The question refers to an incident previous to their being employed.

perhaps they might not have signed on, if it had not been for that incident.

I should like the Minister to look into the matter.

In view of the fact that these men have given proof that they are willing to work, will the Minister withdraw the disallowance of their unemployment assistance? It is nothing but conscription.

It has already been decided in a similar number of cases that this is work which is suitable for such men. If they are offered work and they do not take it, they cannot get unemployment assistance.

I suggest to the Minister that it is important that unemployed men in County Cork should go out to cut turf.

If they are cutting turf they are not entitled to unemployment assistance.

That is a quibble. At the time their unemployment assistance was disallowed this scheme for turf-cutting was initiated in Cork City.

Maybe they did not expect to be called for that.

That is a libel on them and the Minister ought to withdraw it.

The Deputy can look at the figures.