asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has received strong and repeated representations for assistance to enable the many small breweries in the country to carry on their business in fair competition with foreign big brewers; whether he has been urged to fix a quota for the importation of all foreign beer, and what action, if any, he proposes taking concerning same; whether he can state (1) the number of men employed, and the total wages paid by such concerns in 1922/3, and (2) the last year for which such figures are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Assistance of Small Breweries.
Representations for the protection of Saorstát brewed ales have been made from time to time. Included in these representations were requests for the application of a quota under the Control of Imports Acts, 1934 and 1937, to the imports of foreign ales and beers. I am not satisfied that in existing circumstances the adoption of such a course is desirable in regard to the imports of these commodities.
Particulars of the number of persons employed and the wages paid in the brewing industry during 1922-23 are not available. The latest period for which such figures are available is for the year 1935. The total number of wage earners (excluding administrative, clerical and technical staff) employed in the brewing industry in mid-October, 1935, was 3,138 and the total amount paid in wages during the year 1935 was £583,866.