asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the serious apprehension among persons employed in the furniture industry as to the possible collapse of that industry; and what steps are being taken to ensure that such a collapse does not occur.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Furniture Industry.
19.
I am aware that some firms in the furniture industry, as in others, have problems for one reason or another, but I am not aware of any grounds for apprehension about the possible collapse of the industry and I consider that exaggerated and alarmist suggestions of this kind are to be deplored. The advice and assistance of my Department and the State agencies are available to firms in the industry in dealing with their problems.
Can the Minister give the reasons for the problem or are they too varied?
They were set out in the CIO report on this industry in 1964.
Have they not changed since then?
Yes but the situation so far as the furniture industry is concerned has brightened considerably.
I hope the Minister is right because there are many people employed in that industry at present.