Vol. 287 No. 8
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps his Department are taking to provide further industry in Blarney, County Cork, to absorb the number of persons still unemployed as a result of the closure of a mill (details supplied) in July, 1975.
75.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he is taking to provide alternative industry in the premises formerly occupied by a company (name supplied) in County Cork.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
I appreciate the need for the provision of further industrial job opportunities in Blarney and I have been in touch with the Industrial Development Authority about the matter.
The authority have informed me that they are giving increased attention to Blarney in their industrial promotional activities with a view to securing new industry for the area. Since the firm to which the Deputy refers went into receivership, the authority have brought 14 industrialists to visit the factory premises and the land on which they are situated but, to date, no definite project has been secured for the factory.
The authority have also informed me that in Ballincolling, which is within commuting distance of Blarney, a new project which has an employment potential for 330 people started production about the middle of last year, and two further projects which between them have an employment potential for 410 people are due to commence construction next month in that town also. These projects should provide employment opportunities for people in the Blarney area. A new project which started up in Blarney in December, 1974, has a potential for a further 30 jobs.
