asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has yet succeeded in ensuring alternative employment for the 500 workers declared redundant by Messrs. Rawson and Company Limited, Dundalk, County Louth; and if any application for State grants etc. have been received by his Department since the designation of the Dundalk area as undeveloped.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Redundant Dundalk Workers.
15.
Negotiations are proceeding as expeditiously as possible in respect of a number of approaches received by the Industrial Development Authority from parties interested in establishing industrial undertakings at Dundalk. Pending the reaching of final decisions by the promoters and the approval of grants, where deemed warranted, particulars of approaches of this nature must, of necessity, be kept strictly confidential between the IDA and the parties concerned. The Deputy may rest assured that every possible facility will be made available to a suitable industrial undertaking proposed for establishment at Dundalk.
I feel sure the Minister is aware that it is now three months since this disastrous fire at Rawsons in Dundalk and that very great hardship has accrued to the 500 workers and their families in the meantime. Will he regard this as of great urgency and see that an endeavour is made to find alternative employment for the persons concerned, especially those who were employed in the boot and shoe industry in the town by way of creation of a new industry of that kind in or around the town of Dundalk?
The Deputy will be aware that I have already shown that we are concerned about Rawson's shoe factory in Dundalk and that we have taken urgent steps to try to redress the balance of employment there. The Deputy will also be aware that we cannot produce new industries out of a hat. The information available to me would indicate that the prospects in the Dundalk area are quite good. I realise the difficulties for people who are out of work in having to wait, but the prospects, as I say, seem to me to be quite good in the Dundalk area and the Deputy can rest assured that every possible effort will be made to redeem the situation.
When the Minister says that prospects are good, may we hope that the prospects are good for an additional boot and shoe factory there?
I do not want to say it out in that regard. In short, the answer is, yes. What I said did not apply to that particularly.