asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans, if any, the IDA have to provide further employment in West Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Employment.
29.
The IDA regional industrial plans specify as locations for industry the following centres in West Mayo: Castlebar, Westport, Ballinrobe, Cong, Keel, Bangor/Erris. Measures have been or are being taken in all of these centres to generate industrial employment.
In Castlebar, net manufacturing employment has increased by 600 in the past two years and an expansion to create a further 30 jobs has been approved for a firm in the town.
In Westport, construction of a 20,000 sq. ft. factory to cost about £200,000 will commence at an early date and the county council at the request of IDA is seeking larger sites to accommodate major industry.
In Ballinrobe, a further IDA advance factory of 7,000 sq. ft. is now completed and a project to occupy it is at an advanced stage of discussion.
In Cong, IDA has approved a grant for a local firm to create a further 16 jobs.
In Keel and Bangor/Erris, the IDA in conjunction with Mayo County Council are actively seeking to acquire suitable sites for industry. This area should also benefit from the jobs at the construction and production phases of the Asahi plant in Killala.
Would the Minister agree that people in the Westport area in particular have a very big grouse because of their disappointment in not having an industry established there in the last few years, particularly having regard to the tradition in the area and also to the fact that the urban council have a serviced industrial estate available there?
When the Deputy says that of that list of towns Westport is the place in the greatest need currently of special attention, that is correct and I agree with him. It is fair that I should reply that, as he will be aware, there has been a water difficulty which was in the past an deterrent to development of industry in Westport. I think the situation is now satisfactory and I can assure the Deputy that of the list there I consider that Westport need and should deserve the strongest promotion.
The textiles and shoe industries are the two main sources of employment in the town. In view of the fact that workers in the textile factory are working only three days a fortnight, would the Minister agree that there is urgent necessity for the provision of a suitable industry in Westport in the near future?
I have indicated that I consider that it has of the towns listed the greatest priority. I agree with what the Deputy says.
Is the Minister aware that in so far as the 20,000 sq. ft. advance factory is concerned, the design details are being finalised at present and it is expected that construction will start very shortly? The Minister has referred to the fact that the IDA and the county council have been investigating the possibilities of large-scale industrial development in the area. The matter is receiving a certain amount of publicity at present.
They did not hear about Richie Ryan.
A recent issue—when I say recent, it is in recent months— of the periodical Business and Finance referring to the situation in Mayo said: “Too much too soon”. It is a welcome change. I am very pleased that it is in my time as Minister for Industry and Commerce that that can be said about Mayo, and I am pleased, though I admit there are matters of urgency, that the sort of progress I have been able to indicate in my answer has been made in that and other parts of Mayo in the period of office of this Government.
Would the Minister circulate to Deputies his list of towns in urgent need or greatest need?
I take it the Deputy is referring to Question No. 29?
It does not in fact arise. There is no such list of an inflexible kind. It is something which is changing continuously as need changes, as different industries are in difficulties, different industries getting into better positions, and it is a continuously changing scene.
Next question.
Just one question.
I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude.
He got only two supplementaries.
He got more.
Discrimination against the west.
Please, Deputy Molloy, allow the Chair to control Question Time.
This area of west Mayo was in the past entirely dependent on remittances from emigrants. In view of the economic position in Britain many people find it necessary to return home to seek employment. Therefore, will the Minister try to get the IDA to ensure that an industry is provided as quickly as possible in this area?
It is continuing policy of the IDA to site industry in relation to need where possible but, of course, a potential industrialist cannot be directed to town A and not to town B. He has the right to exercise choice. I will bring the Deputy's remarks to the attention of the IDA.