asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why the 5s. special unemployment assistance allowance paid to men in rural areas is not being paid to John Mackey, Moorfield, Wexford.

It is assumed that the Deputy's question relates to the payment at the rate of 5/- per week made to persons enrolled in the special register of agricultural and turf workers.

John Mackey applied for unemployment assistance at Wexford Employment Exchange on 27th January, 1943, and is in receipt of same at the rate of 13/- per week. At the time of his application for unemployment assistance, the conditions and advantages of enrolment in the special register of agricultural and turf workers were explained to him, but he did not make application for enrolment.

If he makes an application now, will it be considered, and why is he refused permission to travel to England for employment? The Parliamentary Secretary cannot have it both ways.

Neither can the Deputy.

I do not want it both ways.

The question of an application for a permit to travel to England does not arise under this. So far as I am aware, no such application has been received.

For what?

For a permit.

If he makes an application now, will it be entertained?

If he comes within the category of persons eligible to make application, and if it is not debarred under the regulations, his application will be entertained.

I suggest that if he is not classed as an agricultural labourer in a rural district and if he is not getting the 5/- special allowance as a retaining fee, so to speak, he is entitled to go to the other side to work if he makes application to do so.

I have already explained to the Deputy that he did not make application for membership on the special register, although the advantages of it were pointed out to him. If he makes application for a permit to go to England, it will be entertained, provided he is of the class to whom permits are granted.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that he has already made application for a permit to go to England and he has been told by the labour exchange people that, because of the fact that he is working in a rural area, he is not entitled to go? Surely, then, the Department ought to give him the 5/-?

The question of his application for a permit is a different matter and does not arise under this. It is quite possible he may have made an application, but, as the Deputy did not mention it in his question, I did not seek the information he now requires.