asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the high unemployment level and the threatened redundancy situation, he will include Waterford city as a designated area for industrial grant purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Industrial Grants.
56.
As I have mentioned on a number of occasions in reply to similar requests, the designation of a particular area inevitably leads to considerable pressure for extension of the concession to other areas, thus leading to the danger of erosion of the grant differential applied to areas already designated; therefore, designation is an instrument which must be very sparingly used. Only a couple of weeks ago I told the Deputy in reply to a question on the industrial situation in Waterford that projects under construction and under consideration by the Industrial Development Authority were estimated to provide over 800 jobs in the area. I consider, in the circumstances, that the present levels provide adequate incentive to attract industry to Waterford and that it would not be appropriate to designate the area.
Is the Minister aware that over 1,200 people are at present receiving unemployment assistance in Waterford city alone? There is a grave danger of further redundancies in the city. Eight hundred new jobs are inadequate for Waterford.
I am aware that the number of unemployed in Waterford is something in the region of 1,200 people. I am conscious of the fact that if 800 extra jobs were provided the position would be that the level of unemployment in the city would be at the lowest level in years.
Is the Minister now aware that there is a grave danger of further redundancies in the city?
I do not think the Deputy is justified in making that statement.