asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will ensure that the IDA will direct more industries into County Kerry in view of the problem that exists with regard to the number of school leavers who cannot get work and the increasing numbers over the next two years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Industrial Development.
32.
It has been and remains my constant endeavour, and that of the Industrial Development Authority, within the limits of available resources to secure the establishment in all parts of the country of as many soundly-based new industrial undertakings as possible. The ultimate choice of location in all such cases rests with the promoters. It is not possible to direct industry to a particular county.
I can assure the Deputy however that the Industrial Development Authority are maintaining their efforts to attract further new industries to County Kerry. I understand from the authority that in each of the past four years employment in manufacturing industry in Kerry has increased. Allowing for job losses in some firms, the total number of additional jobs created in manufacturing industry in Kerry in the period 1973-1976 was approximately 1,400, of which more than 500 were created in 1976 alone. The authority have industrial sites at seven locations in the county which they will use to attract industry and generate new employment opportunities.
33.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the efforts that are being made by his Department to provide industrial employment in the Killarney and Kenmare regions of south Kerry in view of the high unemployment rate in these areas.
34.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will arrange for the IDA to build an advance factory on their site in Kenmare, County Kerry.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together.
I am aware of the employment situation in the Kenmare and Killarney areas of south Kerry, and I can assure the Deputy that the Industrial Development Authority will continue vigorously to promote these areas for new industrial development. The authority own a 20-acre site in Killarney for which they have been actively seeking a project.
With regard to Kenmare, the authority are at present concluding negotiations for the acquisition of a site in the town which will be actively promoted for new industry. There are no plans at present for the construction of an advance factory on this site.
Would the Minister make arrangements for the IDA to make grants available to service the industrial land in Killarney which has been idle and unserviced for the past three or four years?
The Deputy is asking me to make him a commitment in what is a very sensitive area, because frequently there is a tug-of-war between the IDA on the one hand and the local authority on the other as to how much each will contribute to the question of infrastructural development. My contention has been, and is, that where an area will benefit from the expenditure of public money, such as the purchasing of an industrial site, it is reasonable to expect that the community which will benefit should make some contribution in the way of providing for infrastructure. I am happy to pass the substance of what the Deputy has said to the IDA. If the money cannot be obtained elsewhere, and if it were to be a stumbling block to development, this could be looked at.
Is the Minister aware that the IDA have had a site in Kenmare for at least two years?
My information is that negotiations are only now being concluded.
Perhaps the Minister will recheck and let me know?
Certainly.