asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the IDA will secure more industry for County Kerry, particularly in the coastal regions, to provide employment for the large number of boys and girls who have got their group and leaving certificates and who are unable to obtain employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Industries.
14.
With regard to the coastal regions of County Kerry I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they have approved a new project for Valentia Island which has a potential employment for 45 persons, mostly men, and is expected to start up in August. In Cahirciveen, two new industries which started up last year have an employment potential for approximately 40 new workers. A new industry which started in Tralee in March this year has an employment potential of a further 70 jobs by 1978 and the Industrial Development Authority are negotiating with a promoter in connection with the location of a new project in Tralee which would provide a substantial number of male jobs. There is also the prospect of expansion by another industry in the town. The authority have industrial sites available at Kenmare and Ballylongford and they are actively promoting these with a view to the establishment of suitable projects in these areas.
With regard to the rest of the county the Industrial Development Authority have informed me of the following developments regarding employment prospects in manufacturing industry:
At Castleisland, factory construction is under way for two projects which between them have an employment potential of nearly 100 jobs; one of these projects is expected to start production shortly and the other during next year. At Killorglin, an existing industry has an employment potential of 30 additional jobs. At Killarney, a new firm which commenced production last year is expected to build up employment by a further 50 workers over the next 18 months. At Listowel, the IDA have an advance factory available and are promoting it for the attraction of a suitable industry. The Deputy may take it that the Industrial Development Authority will continue to promote County Kerry vigorously as a location for industry.
Do the projects to which the Parliamentary Secretary has referred relate only to the Industrial Development Authority activities? If so, is there still in existence within the Department of Industry and Commerce an industry section? If so, would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate to the House what the industry section are doing under the aegis of the Minister?
The industrial reorganisation branch is within the Department. The factories to which I referred are factories which have been the concern of the IDA.