asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the present unemployment and short-time employment situation which exists in the Blarney area, County Cork; and the steps he is taking to cater for the employment needs of the area on an urgent basis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blarney Employment Position.
12.
I am aware of the employment situation in the Blarney area. The new Irish Polysacks factory have taken on 47 workers since they started last December and plan to take on an additional 40 by the middle of this year. A total of 114 are expected to be employed at full production which should be reached by the end of the year.
In Ballincollig, a major new industry —Data 100—are already recruiting staff and hope to go into production in June. They will employ 330 at full production and this should enhance the employment opportunities of the Blarney area. The area will also benefit from industrial employment opportunities in and around Cork city.
The IDA are continuing their efforts to attract a suitable project to locate on an industrial site in Blarney which has been brought to their attention by private interests and the authority have also identified a further site for industry in the area.
While welcoming the unsolicited information regarding the Cork area—not entirely for my benefit—can the Minister state how many people will be taken on in the Ballincollig factory initially? The Minister referred to 330 but I should like to know how many will be taken on in June.
I cannot give a precise answer to that. Production is starting in June and at full production there will be 330 people employed. I estimate that in a factory of this kind full production would be reached in a matter of perhaps three years. I know recruiting is taking place but certainly it could not be for 330 people this year or next year.