asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the steps taken by him and by his Government to fulfil the hopes expressed by the Taoiseach, for the alleviation of their plight, to redundant workers in Athlone, County Westmeath prior to the General Election of 1969.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Athlone Redundant Workers.
35.
The solution to the problem in Athlone lies in the attraction of new industry to the town and the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in a reply to a question by Deputy Desmond on 22nd July, 1970, stressed that the attraction of industry to Athlone continues to receive the urgent attention of the Industrial Development Authority. The authority is at present in touch with a number of industrialists interested in Athlone as a location for new factories.
All the services of my Department have been made available to the workers concerned. Officers of the Department have made a number of special visits to Athlone to advise them on the facilities available for placement, redundancy payments, resettlement and training.
A large number of the workers have benefited from the provisions of the redundancy payments scheme and the resettlement allowances scheme. The national manpower service of my Department has assisted in placing a number of the workers in other jobs and An Chomhairle Oiliúna has provided retraining for others at training centres.
In view of the serious nature of the redundancy and the length of time that has passed without any real alleviation of the situation, would the Minister suggest to his colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, that he might, even at this stage, declare Athlone a designated area? It has been unsuccessful so far in getting industry and something extra is needed. That might be the something extra. So far the Minister has refused to make it a designated area.
I take it the Deputy means a regional development area.
The job will be done.
When? In 1969 there were two factories.
The job will be done.
(Cavan): Like the drainage of the Shannon.
Is what the Minister says a promise or a statement?
It is a statement.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment arrangements in reltion to the control of properties in Dublin.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Questions Nos. 114 and 115 on the Order Paper for 4th June.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputies.