asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism when work will commence on the advance factory planned for Skibbereen, County Cork.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Development.
29.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will outline his plans for the provision of an industry at Skibbereen, County Cork.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
It was originally intended that the IDA would build a 7,000 sq.ft. advance factory at Skibbereen The Authority are now at an advanced stage of negotiation with an overseas company which is considering the location of a project at Skibbereen. As the proposed 7,000 sq.ft. factory could not accommodate this project, the IDA have now applied for planning permission for the construction of a 27,000 sq.ft. factory, which will be in substitution for the smaller factory. Construction of this bigger factory will commence as soon as possible.
31.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the up-to-date position in regard to the establishment of an industry in the town of Bantry, County Cork.
The Industrial Development Authority is prepared to support, with its full range of incentives, any suitable industrial project which may be proposed for location in Bantry.
The Authority is continuing its efforts to secure a site which would be suitable for industrial development and I understand that a number of possible sites are currently under examination. Plans for the construction of the 12,000 sq.ft. cluster factory announced for Bantry in May 1979 will proceed as soon as a suitable site has been acquired.
32.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the serious unemployment situation in Glenties, County Donegal, and the steps he proposes to take to establish new industries in this area.
I am aware of the unemployment situation in Glenties and I am glad to inform the Deputy that the Industrial Development Authority has approved grant assistance for a new industry for the 36,000 sq. ft. factory in Glenties which was previously occupied by Irish Picture Mouldings. It is expected that this project will employ 48 people at full production.
33.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the up-to-date position regarding the utilisation of the vacant Ferenka factory building at Annacotty, County Limerick.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that having failed to obtain a replacement industry for the former Ferenka factory building the factory is now being subdivided into a number of separate factory units which are expected to offer more favourable prospects of utilisation. Three units providing a total area of 240,000 square feet will be ready over the next few months and these are being actively promoted by the IDA for suitable industrial projects. The IDA plans to have the balance of the property refurbished at a later stage.