asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there are any industries ear-marked for the County Wicklow area in the immediate future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Wicklow Industries.
3.
I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that three new industries have recently started production in County Wicklow and will employ 230 at full production. Three other new industries to employ a total of 700 approximately have been approved for the county and will be announced with the agreement of the promoters as soon as possible. About 200 additional jobs are likely to be generated by expansions of existing industry. An industry to employ some 400 persons is under negotiation for the county.
Would the Minister state when these proposals will come to fruition or are they based on wishful thinking? Are there actual negotiations?
There were three categories in my reply. The first three are new industries that recently started production and will employ 230 when they come on to full production. Three other industries employing 700 are settled, and there are 200 jobs available in expansions of existing industries. The last thing I mentioned, industries employing 400 persons, are under negotiation but not settled.
These job expansions, of course, were taken from IDA projections two years ago.
I do not think that is fair.