asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state with reference to the Silvermines Lead and Zinc Company (1) the grants which have been paid to it and (2) whether it is intended to reopen the mines; and, if it is not intended to reopen them, what steps he intends to take to relieve the large number of unemployed in the district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Silvermines Lead and Zinc Company.
No State grants have been made to the company but it has been given guarantees in respect of loans under the Trade Loans (Guarantee) Acts, 1939 to 1954.
With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, a decision concerning the reopening of the mine is entirely a matter for the company.
Could the Minister state if he has in mind the starting of some industry or some scheme to absorb the large number of unemployed in that area, seeing that they are unemployed due to the closing down of the mines?
I shall be very glad to help in any project that is proposed.