asked the Taoiseach the number of industrial workers in the mid-west region at present working on a 3-day week or similar short time.

The total number of workers on systematic short-time who were on the live register in employment offices in the Mid-West region on 27 January 1978 was 527. While short-time workers on the live register are not classified by sector it is considered that the great majority of such persons are industrial workers.

Could the Minister give us the corresponding figure for last year?

That is a separate question.

I can. The corresponding figure on 28 January last year was 302.

Therefore it is up by 225.

It is an increase of 200.

An increase of 75 per cent.

That would not be so.