asked the Taoiseach the number of persons registered as unemployed at (i) the employment exchange in Thurles, County Tipperary and (ii) in each other employment exchange in Tipperary North at the latest date for which figures are available and at a similar date in the past three years; if he is satisfied that these figures represent the number of people actually unemployed on the dates in question; and, if not, if he will give an estimate of the true figure of persons unemployed on those dates.

I propose to circulate a statement showing the number of persons on the live register at each local employment office in Tipperary North Riding on 30 April 1982 and on corresponding dates in 1981, 1980 and 1979, respectively.

Given the complex nature of the measurement of unemployment as described in the report of the inter-departmental study group on unemployment statistics, I am satisfied that the live register figures give a reasonable satisfactory indicator of the trend in the level of unemployment in different areas.

Following is the statement:

Numbers on the Live Register at the Local Offices in Tipperary North Riding

Can the Minister of State give me the figures for the Thurles area?

For Roscrea the figure is 362.

Can the Minister give me the figures for the past three years for the Thurles area?

In 1980, 577; 1981, 830; and 1982, 1,037.

Is the Minister of State satisfied that those figures represent the true level of unemployment in the Thurles area?

I am. There was a report of the inter-departmental study group on unemployment statistics and, based on the make up of those figures and how they are calculated, I believe those figures are reasonably accurate.

Why is it that when the Minister of State's party are in Government they seem very satisfied with the accuracy of the unemployment figures as judged by those registered and when they are in Opposition they regard that standard of measurement as totally inaccurate?

I am giving the Deputy the information as it is available in the Central Statistics Office.

Will the Minister of State tell me——

I have allowed the Deputy four supplementaries and I am not allowing him any more. Question No. 5.