asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the knitting industry in Donegal is at present experiencing a slump, and, if so, if he will state the reasons for the slump, and whether any steps are being taken to remedy the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Knitting Industry Slump.
I am not aware of the existence of a slump and inquiries which I have caused to be made in informed quarters have elicited either a denial of knowledge of any such slump or a statement that any reports of a slump have been exaggerated.
Is the Minister aware that workers have been laid off in the knitting factory in Glenties, County Donegal?
I am afraid that the Deputy is probably confused about a report which appeared in the Irish Press of 27th May——
The Deputy is going only on his own personal information.
May I answer the question? The Sunday Press contained a report to the effect that most of the 150 workers in the knitwear department of Messrs. B. McDevitt and Co's factory at Glenties, County Donegal, were on short time (four days a week) for some weeks past, due, it was stated, to a depression in the sale of knitwear goods. A director of the firm has been contacted by the Department and he states that the report in the Sunday Press was grossly exaggerated and that about 15 of his firm's workers employed in the knitwear department were on short time four days a week for two or three weeks, but that they are now working full time. This statement of the director has been confirmed through the local branch of the Department of Social Welfare. The Deputy will see, therefore, that although the Sunday Press report said that there were 150 people on short time, the truth was that 15 were on short time for two or three weeks.
That is the old technique. What is a nought more or less!
Is the Minister aware that I, myself, have received representations from more than 15 workers, and I can assure him that I was not concerned about the report in the Sunday Press. I have knowledge of the situation myself.
Then somebody ought to correct the Sunday Press report.
Is the Minister further aware that a change in the type of production has been brought about there, in order to re-employ some workers who had to be let off?
I have received no complaints about a slump or a pay-off in the knitwear industry in County Donegal, and may I tell the Deputy that the total number of people who were registered at the employment exchanges in County Donegal in April was 58? The total number registered as unemployed in April, 1952, was 104.
I did not think there were even 58 left in the county to register. I thought they had all gone to England.
You did your best to drive them there, but fortunately you went out of office.
Would you look up the facts?