asked the Minister for Finance the number of people unemployed (a) at the end of March and (b) at the latest available date; the number of school children expected to look for work after their examinations; and the plans the Government have to provide work for the unemployed.

(Clare): The total number on the live register at the end of March 1982 was 148,004. The live register total at end June 1982, which is the latest available, was 150,859.

Data on the number of school leavers looking for work each year are derived from an annual survey of second level school leavers carried out by the National Manpower Service. The latest available survey relates to the 1979-80 school leavers. This shows a total of 64,700 school leavers of which 47,000 entered the labour force. The survey of the 1980-81 school leavers which is being conducted at present will be available early next year.

The Government's plans to combat unemployment will be set out in the economic plan at present being prepared.

Will the Minister tell the House if the Government have any plans to combat unemployment or will it all have to wait for this document that will be published after the Dáil has gone into recess?

(Clare): The Deputy may be aware that an announcement was made yesterday appointing ten job creation officers for different areas. That is part of the job the Government are doing. The matter is also being dealt with through National Manpower, AnCO and other State agencies.

Will the Minister deny the report in today's Irish Independent that the people who have been appointed as placement officers in National Manpower as of yet, although they are on the public payroll, do not know what they are supposed to do?

(Clare): They will be fully briefed during this week.

When do they take up employment?

Has the Minister a plan for one specific area in which he can create one job? Is it the intention of the Minister to use the survey carried out in his Department which spells out how jobs can be created in the west of Ireland with the profit that accrues to the State from the arterial drainage schemes?

(Clare): With regard to the first part of the Deputy's question, I should like to tell the House that the Department of the Environment announced in Dublin recently how they would create jobs for young people. That is one specific area. I am aware of the fact that with regard to drainage schemes in the west of Ireland, where 50 per cent EEC grant applies, the creation of one job means a net profit to the State of more than £400.

Have the Government decided to take up this option?

(Clare): I can assure the Deputy that it has been impressed upon them.

I realise that Deputy Barrett is only standing in for the Minister for Finance today——

Is he away in Brussels at a meeting?

Would it not be more to the point if the Government's efforts were to be concentrated less on yet another limb or tentacle of bureaucracy, these ten placement officers, and more on trying to create the atmosphere and conditions in which ordinary people can get on with their business and give employment in the way they cannot avoid doing? The Government's proposals and their Finance Act — for instance, their proposal to impose enormously increased tax on business — are driving firms out of business.

We must move on to the next question.