asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce in reference to the closing of the Ballisodare lead mines, County Sligo (a) the number of workers employed at peak periods and (b) the reasons for the closing of the mines; whether the mines may be reopened in the near future; and, if not, if he has any plans to absorb those unemployed by the closing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Sligo Lead Mines.
21.
These mines were operated by a private enterprise undertaking and it would be contrary to practice to give information about the private affairs of such an undertaking or their intentions. The Company have advised me that they had exhausted the known ore deposit and that a scheme of exploration completed last November failed to reveal the existence of minerals which could at present be worked on an economic basis. As to the problem of absorbing those who have lost their employment through the closing of the mines, I can only say that the Industrial Development Authority are making every effort to encourage the setting up of new industries in areas where unemployment exists but it is a matter for private enterprise and local development organisations to put forward proposals.
Will the Minister tell the House if any State grants were made available for the development of this mine?
Several thousand pounds were spent on the exploration of the mine, even as late as last winter, or a month before Christmas.
Could the Minister give me the exact figure?
The Deputy will have to ask a separate Question.
Apart from the recent efforts, were any grants advanced before that by the Government for development there?
The several thousand pounds to which I have referred covered exploration over a number of years before the most recent one.
I see.