asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the serious unemployment situation in Limerick as revealed by a recent survey conducted by the Limerick trades council; if so, whether he proposes to receive a deputation as requested by Limerick City Council to discuss the problem; and if he now considers it feasible to establish an industrial estate in Limerick.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Unemployment.
38.
I am aware of the unemployment situation in Limerick. The selection of development centres at which further industrial estates will be established is under consideration. A final decision in the matter must await the outcome of the series of regional planning studies at present in progress.
Until these studies are completed, I am afraid that no useful purpose would be served by my seeing a deputation.
I should like to ask the Minister if he could give any indication as to when the report of the survey team which is examining the industrial development situation will be received? When will he be in a position to give a decision regarding the new development centres? This examination has been going on for a considerable time now.
I have received the report to which the Deputy refers and there is a full-scale review of our industrialisation programme going on in connection with that, but the Deputy will know that what I referred to was the selection of development centres for industrial estates and this is a matter which must await the outcome of the series of regional planning studies at present in progress under Foras Forbartha.
I want to know, as does everybody in Limerick, when will the Minister be in a position to give a likely date as to when he will make a decision regarding the development centre and, in particular, regarding the possibility of establishing an industrial estate in Limerick? How long more must we wait and how much more must unemployment increase before something will be done?
First of all, I cannot tell the Deputy exactly when this review will be completed. Secondly, I would point out to him that the improvement of the employment situation in Limerick is not dependent solely on the establishment of an industrial estate there. Thirdly, I would point out for his benefit that the unemployment situation in Limerick, while it presents no grounds for complacency, is better than it was when his Party's Government left office and this is at a time when the population is considerably larger.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Would the Deputy listen to the end of my reply? The population today is 5,000 higher and unemployment is less.
What was it in 1936 under Fianna Fáil, or in 1933?
I would ask the Minister to bear in mind that I am not playing politics at all in this matter. The fact of the matter is there are 2,500 idle and, within the past two days, 26 people in a bacon factory have received notice. Can anything be done in the meantime or is there anything the Minister might do to extend the present system of grants to encourage the establishment of industry in Limerick?
As I have told the Deputy, improvement does not depend solely on the establishment of an industrial estate. Proposals for new industries can always be dealt with, without any industrial estate, and there is a proposal for a substantial industry in Limerick which has been outstanding for some time.
Four years—55 acres of land, now reduced to 50 acres.
Order.
Within the last week or so, there have been signs of considerable progress.
May I ask the Minister——
I am calling Question No. 39, to the Minister for Health.
A chipboard factory —five years it has been on the boards.
Question No. 39.