asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the IDA have any current plans for establishing industries in Midleton, County Cork, to relieve the chronic unemployment in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Midleton (Cork) Unemployment.
72.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they have approved a grant for a new industry for Midleton which is expected to employ over 100 people. It will be some time, however, before the factory goes into production. The Deputy is aware, of course, that Irish Distillers Limited plan to move their operations to Midleton.
Could the Minister give any indication of when the new industry will start in Midleton? Is he aware that the expansion of the distillery will not in any way absorb the total number now unemployed in Midleton? The figure is well over 400 people.
I said in my reply that from the information I had it will be some time before the factory goes into production. My attention was recently drawn to a statement made by one of the leading spokesmen of Midleton Worsted—the statement was reported in the Cork Examiner— that there was a shortage of labour in Midleton, that he had tried to get workers there and had failed. I thought this rather remarkable.
That statement was quite incorrect and this was admitted by the managing director of the factory. In fact, none of the employment agencies in Midleton knew anything about the shortage of labour in that particular factory. Well over 100 people have now been interviewed and I understand this man has still not got the quota he requires.
I was rather surprised by the statement myself.
Could I have a reply from the Minister?
I have replied to the Deputy.
The Minister did not reply. He quoted from a statement in the Cork Examiner, a statement which was totally wrong.
What is the question?
I am telling the Minister there are over 400 people unemployed in Midleton and could the Minister tell me when he or the IDA will create more employment in Midleton? The Midleton Worsted Mills are certainly not going to do it. What the Minister read in the Cork Examiner was “hogwash”. Could the Minister tell me when the new factory will be opened by the IDA and when employment will be made available?
It is hoped that the new project will commence production in March of next year.