asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will establish an employment office at Shannon Airport, County Clare.

102.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the establishment of a social welfare office at Shannon Industrial Estate, County Clare.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.

The opening of an office of my Department at Shannon in present circumstances as distinct from any other area would not be justified.

I may say, however, that I am most anxious to provide improved employment exchange and other local office facilities throughout the country and I have this matter under review, but for reasons which I am sure the Deputy will appreciate this must necessarily be a somewhat long-term project.

Is the Minister aware that as a result of a recent factory closure in Shannon a number of employees had not their cards stamped for a considerable length of time? In view of the urgency and the seriousness of this would he not consider that this is a special case?

In respect of short-time workers special arrangements have been made whereby they may make application for unemployment benefit at the firm's premises. As far as others are concerned, those fully or absolutely unemployed, can register and make application for unemployment benefit at the local Garda station and they are paid by post. There is no question of their having to travel to Ennis or Limerick in order to apply or in order to receive payment.

In respect of the inspection of insurance cards and to ensure that the cards are stamped in Ennis and Shannon, is the Minister aware that as a result of a recent closure it came to light the cards were not stamped in one particular industry for about 12 months?

No, but if the Deputy gives me details I guarantee I will look into the matter.

Question No. 103.

Can the Minister indicate the extent of unemployment in the industrial estate?

That is a separate question. Question No. 103.

It is a separate question but I have no hesitation in giving the figure.

Question No. 103.

The Minister wants to give the answer.

The Chair has got to maintain the order.

I do not know if I have the permission of the Chair.

The Minister has the permission of the House.

The Minister is standing on the burning deck.

Not really but I do not think I can be regarded as being too disorderly—900 persons are registered and of these 652 are short-time workers.

Would some of these not sign on at Ennis Exchange and Limerick Exchange? Are those people not included.

As I informed the Deputy, they can register and make application at the local Garda station and be paid by post.

Some of those people employed at Shannon signed on at Ennis and Limerick Exchanges. Are those not included?

My information is they do not have to travel any further than the Garda station.