asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the recently published census figures which show a drop in the population of County Leitrim, he proposes to ask the State development agencies, particularly the IDA and Bord Fáilte, to pay special attention to this long neglected county.
Written Answers. - Development of County Leitrim.
408.
I have already been in contact with the Ministers concerned and through them with the State agencies mentioned in the Deputy's question to ensure that special consideration is given to the development needs of Leitrim. In the case of industrial projects the Industrial Development Authority are making every effort to attract suitable industrial projects to the area and I am informed that manufacturing employment in the county has increased since 1973 by over 80 per cent to 1,400 in 1981. The IDA will intensify their efforts to attract additional projects to the county.
Bord Fáilte have spent over £34,000 in grant aid on the development of angling infrastructure in the Leitrim area since 1976. Development projects submitted through the Donegal Leitrim Sligo Tourist Organisation are considered for grant aid with in the normal procedures of allocation of Bord Fáilte's annual development budget.
In addition to the normal development programme for tourist facilities, it is hoped that Leitrim will benefit significantly from the European Regional Development Fund (Non-quota section) for both development of resources and marketing through to 1986.