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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1980

Vol. 325 No. 8

Written Answers. - Bord Na Móna Industrial Projects.

305.

asked the Minister for Labour the location of factories, warehouses and other premises where industrial activities are carried out by Bord na Móna as notified to his Department; and the number of persons employed on these premises having regard to the Factories Act, 1955.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement setting out the location of premises where industrial activities are carried out by Bord na Móna as notified to my Department and the numbers employed at these premises who are covered by provisions of the Factories Act, 1955.

Location

No. Employed

Donegal

Kilrain, Glenties

6

Galway

Killaderry — Ballyforan

8

Larragh — Attymon

14

Kerry

Lyracrumpan

2

Barna

6

Kildare

Lullymore/Carbury

142

Timahoe

56

Ballydermot

71

Newbridge

32

Kilberry

70

Laois

Togher — Portlaoise

95

Mayo

Abhainn Einne

88

Grahmore, Bangor Erris

13

Offaly

Garryhinch

4

Derrygreenagh

179

Mount Lucas

127

Clonsast

110

Ballycan

32

Rosfaraghan

19

Boora

163

Moorock

6

Shannonbridge

82

Derrinlough

84

Roscommon

Mount Dillon

19

Tipperary

Baunmore

12

Derryhogan

50

Westmeath

Grangemore

30

Coolnagun

17

308.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will request the ESB and other appropriate authorities to consider the possibility of the erection of a coal burning station in the area of the Leinster coal fields in Rossmore and Doonane area of County Laois; and if he will obtain the early reports of experts on this matter.

I have been informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the burning of anthracite of the kind available from the coal mine at Rossmore, for the generation of electricity, is not possible in any of the existing ESB power stations, and that in any case, because this anthracite is high grade, such a use would not be the most economic use of fuels.

More generally, in regard to any deposits of low grade coal and anthracite and, in particular, deposits in the Leinster coal fields, the ESB, in the coming year, will be constructing a test boiler in the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, to test such deposits as a fuel for generation of electricity. The test boiler is being partly funded by the EEC and considerable development work will be needed to determine whether a plant can be designed that would successfully burn these coals.

The ESB have also informed me that the total area of the Leinster coal fields will be analysed and tested and that any other sizeable deposits of coal will be investigated. However, it could be some years before it is known whether a power station burning such fuels is possible.

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