asked the Minister for Labour the steps that are being taken in his Department for retraining and the provision of alternative employment for redundant textile workers in the Blarney area, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Textile Workers.
6.
The National Manpower Service have been interviewing the workers to be made redundant with a view to seeking to place them in other employment or arranging for retraining by AnCO for those who so wish.
Would the Minister say how many redundant workers there are, or there will be, and how many have been interviewed by Manpower and would he also indicate what alternative opportunities are likely to be available for them in the Blarney or Cork area in the foreseeable future?
I understand a replacement officer has been interviewing workers over recent weeks in an effort to inform them of any suitable or alternative employment that may become available. There is a prospect that the hosiery section will be restarted apart from Martin Mahoney and something like 45 workers could be reabsorbed there. There is also Irish Polysacs, established in Blarney last December. They will build up their work force from 45 to about 114 later this year and this should afford some outlet for redundant workers. We are, of course, endeavouring to expand the training facilities in Cork city and I think the entire work force of the factory amounted in all to 250.
The figure of 250 mentioned by the Minister is on the conservative side. Could I ask him whether he expects the remainder who are anxious to be employed will be able to get work in the foreseeable future? Would he ask his Government to show some concern for an area so long dependent on this industry and not just let it die and the area continue to experience what it is experiencing at the moment?
The Deputy knows the ills of the textile industry did not commence today or yesterday and the Deputy is aware of reports which pointed to the difficulties the industry is presently undergoing which were available to both management and the unions as far as the early sixties. The Deputy will concede, on the figures I have given, that there is within the foreseeable future very reasonable prospects of employment for 100 workers in the immediate area.
Will the Minister give a guarantee he will take a personal interest in the provision of employment for the 40 odd people who were engaged in hosiery and in an expansion of employment in Irish Polysacs and will he use his influence to ensure as many as possible of the redundant workers will be absorbed there? Would he also impress on his colleague, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, the necessity for keeping the hosiery industry going, even on a smaller scale?
This is a Government that does not work very much on influence. Apart from the figures I have given the Deputy, the National Manpower Service and placement officers will continue their work of obtaining suitable employment for the employees. I have given two instances in which there are immediate prospects of employment. For those who cannot be absorbed practical training in the Cork area will be extended. The textile industry has been a problem throughout Europe and the difficulties in the industry have been common knowledge throughout the Irish industry for the last 20 years.
I am calling Question No. 7.
Just one final supplementary. Could the Minister indicate to me, so that I can tell the people in Blarney, what it is the Government work by because in the opinion of the people there and in my opinion the people have been ignored by the Government in their efforts to find employment?
This is broadening the scope of the question.
It is very important.
I have given the Deputy a great deal of latitude. I am calling the next question.
The Government are letting Blarney die.
Would the Deputy allow questions to continue?
Will the Minister and his colleagues accept that this is a vital area?
Will the Deputy please allow questions to continue?
I can tell the Minister snide remarks will not help these people to get bread and butter.
7.
andMr. Carter asked the Minister for Labour the steps his Department are taking to provide for the retraining and re-employment of the redundant textile workers in Athlone, County Westmeath.
The National Manpower Service have been interviewing the workers concerned with a view to seeking to place them in other employment or, if they so wish, arranging for retraining by AnCO. I understand, however, that efforts to keep some operations going in this factory are still continuing.