asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism the plans the Industrial Development Authority have for industrial promotion in Moville, Lifford, Ramelton, Milford, Raphoe, Rathmullen and Cardonagh, County Donegal; and in view of the serious male and female unemployment in these areas where there are few job opportunities for school leavers, and little hope of employment for people who have been on the unemployment register for long periods, the steps he proposes to take to meet the needs of these areas.
Written Answers. - County Donegal Unemployment.
319.
Whilst I am very conscious of the unemployment situation in County Donegal, I would not agree with the Deputy's claim that there is a lack of employment opportunities in the areas mentioned. Industrial employment in Donegal rose by over 20 per cent in the the period January 1977 to January 1980.
In its current industrial plan, which covers the period 1978-1982, the Industrial Development Authority has set a target of creating 1,800 new jobs for the two town groups which comprehend the towns referred to by the Deputy. To date, the IDA has approved industrial projects with the potential to create 2,017 jobs for these town groups.
The IDA has, at present, over 90 acres of land available for industrial development in the county. This includes 4½ acres of land in Moville and five acres in Lifford. The Authority has a 7,000 sq. ft. advance factory in Moville for which a project is under negotiation at present. In addition, construction of a 7,000 sq. ft. factory in Cardonagh has commenced.
In the industrial plan town groupings covered by the Deputy's question, a total of 141,000 sq. ft. of advance factory space is either available or planned and the county is receiving priority treatment for industrial development purposes with high levels of grant assistance being offered for suitable projects.