asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the steps he is taking to locate industries in the designated area of Ballingarry, Thurles, County Tipperary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballingarry (Tipperary) Industries.
8.
Arising from the closedown of the Ballingarry Collieries in 1972, the Ballingarry area was declared a designated area for industrial grant purposes. I am aware of the need for new industrial projects in the area and for this reason I decided in September 1977 to continue for a further year the designation of that area for industrial grant purposes. The Industrial Development Authority will support, with their full range of incentives, any suitable industrial proposals for this area.
Will the Minister agree that the extension of the period of designated grants is of little consolation to the unemployed in the area, and that, while there is talk of the reopening of the Ballingarry coal mine, there is great emphasis and urgency on the need for creating industry in that area?
I accept fully what the Deputy says. This problem did not arise today or yesterday. It has been going on for a number of years and the Government and the IDA are very consious of the need of a new industrial project in the Ballingarry area. The IDA will support, with their full range of incentives any suitable proposal for the area.
Does the Minister accept that after six years no industry has been located there? Surely we must do something soon to rectify the situation.
I accept the points made by the Deputy. He will be aware that Bord na Móna, while not directly under the IDA, are moving in there with the peat factory. As well as that the Deputy mentioned the reopening of the mine. There was some delay in supplying information by the company who made this proposition. The information has now been handed in and is being examined, and I hope there will be some early decisions on that.
I would like to make it clear that, while we welcome the development in a different area, that in itself will not resolve the unemployment problem in the Ballingarry area.