asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a group of young men were recruited in East Donegal for special training in Germany for factory work in their native area; that these men have been ten months away from home; and that they are receiving no specialised training in Germany, but are being used on general work; whether their wages are the same as the national wage in Germany; whether they are subject to German taxation on their wages; whether the Government is contributing to their wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have been told that a number of people were recruited in East Donegal towards the end of last year for work in a German factory. My information is that the arrangement was a purely private one entered into between the workers concerned and the German firm and I am not, therefore, in a position to make a statement on the matter. I can say, however, that there is no question of a contribution by the Government towards the wages of the workers.