(Cavan) asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if a company (details supplied) in County Cavan proposes to close down with a consequent loss of employment to 70 people; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to provide alternative employment for the workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - County Cavan Industry.
45.
The company has not informed my Department that it proposes to cease operations but I am aware that it is facing difficulties. The IDA are making special efforts to secure industries for this area.
(Cavan): Is the Minister aware that this particular company requested about three years ago assistance towards diversification and that the Minister's Department did nothing to help it? In view of that and in view of the fact that it has heavy orders on hands at the moment, that 90 per cent of its manufactured goods are being exported and no home factory would benefit by the close down of this factory, would the Minister take steps to see to it that this factory is kept in production and that the 70 to 100 employees are kept in work until such time as his Department and the semi-State bodies operating under him provide alternative employment for these 70 to 100 workers in Cootehill?
What a hope the Deputy has.
Everything possible is being done in this regard, but to specifically commit oneself to straightforward promises on the basis of the statements the Deputy has just made would be completely wrong and irrational from my point of view.
(Cavan): Does that mean the Minister is going to stand idly by, in the immortal words of a certain person, and do nothing until this industry is closed down?
No.
(Cavan): Does the Minister agree that he had notice about the difficult position of this factory for three years?
Yes.
(Cavan): In fact his colleague had notice of it for a longer time.
We have been supporting it quite considerably over the years.
(Cavan): What has the Minister done to provide alternative employment there over the last three years?
There has been a reasonable amount of concentration on that project. One of the interesting things in that regard is that our export potential never seems to get such a fillip until there is some question of closure. The rather remarkable thing is that potential export orders from a certain number of specified factories seem to have gone up about 500 per cent in the last month. It is really remarkable.
(Cavan): If that is so, what is the Minister doing to keep this factory going? The Minister admits that 90 per cent of its manufactured goods are being exported.
If that is so.
(Cavan): Is it so?
Not on the information I have.
(Cavan): Then what alternative employment is the Minister providing?