andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of new industrial jobs created in 1968 and 1969 to date; and the number planned for 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Employment.
79.
Available statistics do not permit of a reply to the question as put down but the following information may be helpful:
In December, 1968, there were 6,900 more persons engaged in manufacturing industries than there were in December, 1967.
During the six months ended 30th June, 1969, the latest date for which figures are available, the position was as follows:
(a) 41 projects commenced production with an estimated employment potential of 1,935 at the end of the first year and 4,138 at full production.
(b) 131 projects under construction on 30th June, 1969, or for which grants were approved have an employment potential of over 7,500 at the end of the first year and 13,700 at full production.
(c) The total number of projects in this period, therefore, was 172 with an employment potential of almost 9,500 at the end of the first year and almost 18,000 at full production.
In addition, during the same 6 months, 119 small industry projects with an additional employment potential of 700 persons, were approved for grants under the small industries programme.
Could the Minister say in how far this potential to which he refers was successful prior to these years?
I could not recall the percentage off hand but there is available a report that was published about a year ago on a survey of grant in aid to industries which gives the percentage and it is a pretty high percentage. I would also recall for the Deputy what was stated a few minutes ago by the Minister for Labour. As this question was not put down in this form I cannot give the percentage. For the 12 months ending in June of this year 11,000 new jobs were created in the manufacturing industry and this figure is ahead of the target set by the NIEC Reports on full employment which proposed 11,000 new jobs in the whole industrial sector.
That figure does not take into consideration the number lost in agriculture.
The Deputy is aware that the report allowed for the expected losses in employment in agriculture and set a target of 11,000 new jobs per year in the industrial sector. I am saying that in the 12 months ending June of this year we exceeded that target.
Is the Minister not saying that the 11,000 is in excess of the number lost in agriculture?
I am aware that in calculating what was necessary to achieve full employment by 1980, the NIEC report allowed for a drop in agriculture and set a target of 11,000 in the industrial sector and that target has been exceeded.
Is it not true that the net figure is about 2,000?
That is not true.
The Minister is only trying to bluff.
The target set by the NIEC Report which has been referred to on many occasions by the Deputy has been exceeded and I would like the Deputy to realise that.
If one considers the number lost in agriculture it will be seen that the net figure is about 2,000 jobs.
May I repeat that we have exceeded the target of new jobs as set out by the NIEC Report and we will exceed it further in the future?
Great things are happening in our time.