asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the plans the IDA have for a factory (details supplied) at Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary; and if he will ensure that top priority is given to a new project for this building.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Factory.
15.
I have been informed that officers of the Industrial Development Authority met representatives of the company in question on 30th January, 1976 to discuss the company's plans for the factory. I understand that the company intend to continue to use part of the plant as a milk collection depot employing 23 people, and to keep the remainder of the plant on a care and maintenance basis with a view to finding a suitable alternative industry to locate there. The authority, in consultation with the company, are making every effort to secure a suitable alternative industry for the factory.
Is the Minister aware that between the towns of Callan, Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel there are over 1,400 people unemployed, and with the loss of the Shering Plough industry there would the Minister give top priority to Carrick-on-Suir and this factory to ensure that the IDA will give absolute priority to finding some suitable industry for it?
I have already done that as a result of the information in my Department and also as a result of representations made by a delegation, at which the Deputy was present.
Does the Minister not agree that the necessity for the plant closing down might not have arisen if the anticipated 10 per cent per year increase in milk intake had been achieved and anticipated for the coming years? Because of the precarious position of the milk producing industry at the present time it is not now possible to expect the anticipated 10 per cent per annum increase up to 1980.
That is a question for the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.