asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development the specific proposals he is making to the Government for the co-ordination of plans and activities of Departments to ensure that the maximum number of new jobs will be created in the food processing industry, with specific regard to a meat plant (details supplied) in Dublin.
Written Answers. - Food Processing Industry Employment.
459.
Various options for the maximisation of employment in all sectors of industry, including the food processing sector, were set out in the Green Paper Development for Full Employment which was published in June 1978. Following subsequent consultations with various interests on the Green Paper options, the measures to be adopted by the Government will be set out in the White Paper which it is intended to publish before the end of this year. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to disclose the contents of the White Paper at this stage. I can say however that, in addition to the overriding consideration of cost competitivenss, the volume of raw materials available to the food processing industry and the degree of processing intensity which that industry undertakes, both of which factors have a crucial bearing on the level of employment in the industry, are receiving particular attention.
With regard to the meat plant referred to by the Deputy, this is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture. I understand that the Deputy has put down questions for answer today to the Minister for Agriculture concerning that plant and related issues.