asked the Taoiseach the number of persons registered as unemployed for over 12 months in 1980 and 1981 and in May 1982.

4.

asked the Taoiseach the number of persons registered as unemployed for over 12 months in the Cork city area in 1980, 1981 and in May 1982.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together and to circulate a statement showing the number of persons on the live register for Cork city employment exchange and for the State as a whole, having a duration of continuous registration of 53 weeks or more, in April and October of 1980 and 1981, the latest period for which the information is available.

Following is the statement:

Number of persons on the live register having a duration of continuous registration of 53 weeks or more

May we have the figures now?

There is a long and detailed statement involved.

There are only a few figures involved.

The figures are broken down as between the different periods but the total would be 960 for 53 weeks or more, as against a total of 6,487. Nationwide the figure is 39,466 of 53 weeks or more, out of a total of 128,356.

Therefore, approximately 30 per cent of our unemployed have been on the unemployment list for more than 12 months. This is a very serious social implication. Taking these figures into consideration would the Government consider raising the lower levels of unemployment benefit? The figures represent a large percentage of our population who are below the poverty line as a result of being in receipt of basic social welfare payments which do not allow for basic living standards. Rather than giving a 25 or 30 per cent increase across the board will the Government consider raising the lower ends of the social welfare scales? That is necessary if one takes the figures given by the Minister into consideration.

The Deputy has made his point.

5.