asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) the number of persons employed in the manufacture of cement, and (2) the total quantity and value of cement produced, in each of the years 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941; and in each of the months, January to September, 1942.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Production.
The particulars which the Deputy requires at (1) of his question are as follows:—
|
No. |
|||
|
April-Dec. |
average |
1938 |
336 |
|
Year |
,, |
1939 |
424 |
|
,, |
,, |
1940 |
507 |
|
,, |
,, |
1941 |
536 |
|
January, |
mid-month |
1942 |
514 |
|
February |
,, |
,, |
495 |
|
March |
,, |
,, |
535 |
|
April |
,, |
,, |
501 |
|
May |
,, |
,, |
583 |
|
June |
,, |
,, |
440 |
|
July |
,, |
,, |
424 |
|
August |
,, |
,, |
435 |
|
September |
,, |
,, |
575 |
These figures include administrative, clerical and technical personnel as well as wage-earners.
The particulars at (2) for the years 1938 to 1941 inclusive will be found in the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin for 1938 and 1939, on page 122 of the issue of September, 1940, and for 1940 and 1941 on page 125 of the issue of September, 1942. Statistics of production during the current year are not available.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the cause of the present shortage of cement; what steps have been taken to remove the cause, and what prospects there are of its being removed.
The recent shortage of cement was due to the difficulty in securing imports of suitable coal for the manufacture of cement. The position in regard to coal supplies improved subsequently, however, and it has become possible to resume the manufacture of cement on a scale sufficient to meet essential requirements. Owing, however, to the uncertainty in regard to future supplies of coal for the manufacture of cement, I consider it preferable to maintain the restrictions on the purchase of cement. Permits are now being granted freely for the purchase of cement.
While I hope that the position regarding future cement supplies will continue to be satisfactory it is, of course, not possible to give any guarantee in this matter.