asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of factories opened in the Dún Laoghaire catchment area, County Dublin; and the number of factory closures since 1st June, 1973, and the name of the firm in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Factories.
6.
Since there is no precise way of defining what might be regarded as the catchment area of Dún Laoghaire I propose to furnish the information in relation to the area corresponding basically to the Borough of Dún Laoghaire.
I have been informed by the Industrial Development Authority that in this area, in so far as they are aware, three factories ceased manufacturing operations since 1st June, 1973, namely, Clarinco Murray Limited, Stroud Riley Limited and Donald Davies Ltd.
I also understand from the authority that one new firm grant-aided by the authority, Medlabs Limited set up a project in the area in the same period and that the Authority also aproved two expansion projects for Werner Lambert Limited, Dún Laoghaire, one of which has commenced production.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell us the initial employment content of that firm and what will the final numbers be?
There is an extension and a new firm involved here.
Just the new firm, please.
The new firm has a small employment potential of eight persons. There are two separate extensions, one with an employment potential of 98 persons and another with an employment potential of 190 persons.
When the Parliamentary Secretary states that there are two factories involved, will he tell us what is the position in relation to them, how many are employed arising——
If the Deputy wants particular information I suggest he puts down a separate question. This question relates to the Dún Laoghaire catchment area.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the employment situation in that area is chronic, that since 1974 unemployment has increased by 20 per cent, and what action if any do the Parliamentary Secretary and the Government intend to take?
I am aware there is a serious unemployment problem in the country at large arising from the world trade situation and I am also aware that the Government have taken action in this matter, including the giving of very substantial increases in the amount of money made available to the IDA; and that in relation to areas like Dún Laoghaire the small industries programme has been extended in relation to particular industries and that the employment premium scheme has been introduced in relation to which 264 employers have been involved in the Dublin area. That is a fair indication of the action taken by the Government to deal with what every government in the world regard as a serious economic situation.
I should like to invite the Parliamentary Secretary to address the unemployed of Dún Laoghaire at the local labour exchange on any morning suitable to himself and to give them the tripe he has given to me.
Tripe is coming from the Deputy's side of the House.