asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the very depressed state of the economy in the west of Ireland with its serious consequences for small farmers, business people and others; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Economic Conditions.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the acute problems besetting the western and southern counties owing to the scarcity of all types of employment, the lack of industry, the low yielding qualities of the land and the consequent low income of residents; and if he has formulated any policy with a view to improving living standards for the residents of these areas.
4.
asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the depopulation trend in rural areas in the west of Ireland, with consequent closing down of houses and business concerns; and what steps he proposes to take to increase the incomes of people in these areas that they may be able to live at home.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 4 together.
There has already been an increase, as from the beginning of November, in the rates of unemployment assistance—including the weekly payments being made to smallholders in western and certain southern areas under the new method of assessing means arising out of the occupation of land.
The Government are actively considering new measures, designed to be of special benefit to the western areas, in the context of small farm development.
As the House was informed a few months ago by the former Taoiseach, five new schemes have been introduced since the beginning of the year to assist small farmers in the western areas. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has also been reviewing all existing schemes to see how they can be oriented more towards small farmers and to enable such farmers to avail of them more readily.
The Board of An Foras Tionscal are required, in their general operations to have special regard to the need for attracting industries to the undeveloped areas. The financial assistance provided for new industries is weighted in favour of industrial projects set up in these areas and the spirit of the relevant legislation is directed towards that end.
The establishment by An Foras Tionscal of industrial estates at Galway and Waterford is in hand. These estates are likely to become major commercial centres in their respective regions and it is envisaged that secondary centres will benefit from their growth.
The recent census of population indicated an improvement in population trends for certain western and southern areas.