asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that there is a grave shortage of certain types of workers in many parts of the country; and what steps he has been taking to inform unemployed workers that vacancies which may suit them exist.

If employers notify vacancies to my Department and no suitable persons are registered at the local office, neighbouring offices are contacted with the employer's consent, and, if necessary, the whole register of unemployed persons in the State is searched for suitable workers to fill the vacancies.

At present there is only one notified vacancy which cannot be filled from among locally registered persons.

27.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will specify exactly how it is possible for people living and employed outside the State to register with his Department for employment; and if he will indicate the means by which they are informed that the required employment is available.

28.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people living and employed outside the State who have been informed over the past twelve months that suitable employment has been available to them in this country; and if he will indicate the means by which they have been so informed.

29.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if Irish citizens resident in Great Britain can avail themselves of registration facilities for employment in Ireland through labour exchanges as non-claimants seeking alternative employment.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 28 and 29 together.

A person resident outside the State may register for employment by notifying the headquarters of my Department or a local office, in writing or otherwise, of his desire to secure employment here. On the basis of his qualifications and experience he is given the names and addresses of employers who may have suitable employment available and is advised to apply direct to the employers.

About 60 applications of this kind were dealt with in the past twelve months.