Asked the Taoiseach if, further to the revised basis of compilation adopted for all live register statistics from 1 January 1980, namely the exclusion from that date of persons on systematic short-time working and of persons aged 65 years and over, he will now state the estimated number of persons on the live register for each month, August, September and October 1980 as if those two groups were included in the data.

If the categories of person as referred to by the Deputy are added to the live register totals for the months in question the relevant totals are: August, 113,049; September, 112,965; October, 118,677.

Has the Minister any figure available for November 1980 on the basis of this compilation? Would he accept that the figure for November should now read something in the region of 125,000?

Yes, I accept that. The total that I am given is 124,818.

Would the Minister further agree that those who make comparisons on the level of employment and the live register relative to the years 1979 and 1980 should take that factor into account, that the true figure in comparactive terms, for 1979 and 1980 is that, as of now, there are 124,000 unemployed?

I am sure the Deputy is aware that the Government take everything into account in trying to create employment.

I am merely trying to determine the level of unemployment. Would the Minister agree that 8,500 persons on systematic short-term work were included in 1979 but excluded from 1 January 1980? If they and the 1,200 over 65 are included that would give a real figure, in fact, of at least 124,000 now.

I have accepted that. I would point out, however, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, that the Government are concerned about the level of unemployment.

I am not disputing that.

A final supplementary question, please, Deputy FitzGerald.

Could I get clarification on the figures given? Am I right in thinking that the figures just given and referred to on this side of the House show that the increase in the number of short-time workers has in two months risen from something like 900 to 7,000?

I beg the Deputy's pardon?

Would it be right that the numbers have risen from 900 to 7,000?

I do not have that figure, but it is probably easily ascertainable by substraction or addition.

That is what I am endeavouring to find out, to confirm the figure. The Minister mentioned a figure for September which left a difference of 2,100 of which 1,200 are accounted for as being the people over 65 and for October a difference of 3,600, and for November a difference of 8,200

This is a debate.

I am asking for confirmation that that means that the figures rose from 900 to 7,000 for short-time working in two months. That is what these figures give.

The Deputy is very concerned with the whole matter but I would point out that the impact of these new figures is reflected in the fact that the adjusted increase in the live register for November was less than half the average increase in the previous six months.

I am interested in the position of the short-time workers.