asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the seventy-two employees of the textile factory at Tuam, County Galway, have been served with notice, to take effect on 30th June, of termination of their employment for a period of six weeks; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tuam (Galway) Textile Factory.
19.
Mr. Donnellan
I understand that the temporary cessation of employment to which the Deputy refers is due to the fact that there has been a falling-off in the factory's export trade. The firm expects, however, that the factory will re-open at full production in the middle of August and that all the workers will then be re-employed.
Mr. Donnellan
I am sure the Minister must realise that this kind of promise has been made for years. These people were laid off for three weeks at Christmas. They are told now they will be laid off again. The Minister must realise that they cannot live on fresh air.
That is not a question.
Mr. Donnellan
In view of the fact that this Parliament has given over £60,000 by way of free grant in order that workers may be employed in this area, I would ask the Minister to look into the matter, instead of having this man carrying on anyway he likes.
Would the Minister guarantee there will not be further redundancy?
It would be impossible for the Minister to guarantee that a private industry will continue. The Deputy knows the Minister is always ready to offer advice, through his officials, to any company where the Department believe they can help, either by assisting the company in regard to capital development, or in any other way. I am quite sure the Minister will do all in his power to assist any private industry needing assistance. I can only repeat what I have said: the company expect to be in full production in August, and all the workers will be re-employed.
Has the Minister been in touch with this company at any stage?
I think the Minister did hear from the company.
The Minister would guarantee the workers would be employed, if there were an election pending. The Government are good at doing that down in Galway.
Mr. Donnellan
What does the Minister think these 72 employees will do for the next six weeks, or more? Are they to keep sucking their thumbs?
The Minister has every sympathy with every industry in which there are periods of unemployment. Deputies will be aware that, particularly in the textile industry, not alone here but in Great Britain at the present time, there are periodic and cyclic changes in employment.
Mr. Donnellan
What are the 72 doing today?