asked the Minister for Industry and Energy (a) the number of factories that closed in each year since 1977 and from January to July this year; (b) the resulting redundancies in each year and in the first six months of 1982; and (c) the action the Government intends to take to stem the tide of factory closures and redundancies.
Written Answers. - Factory Closures.
492.
There is no obligation on manufacturing businesses to notify my Department when they cease production. The information at my disposal relates only to factories the closure of which came to the notice of the Industrial Development Authority or my Department. This information is set out in the following table.
|
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
1980 |
1981 |
1982 (Jan-June) |
|
|
Factory Closures |
32 |
41 |
37 |
82 |
94* |
49* |
|
Jobs Lost in Closures |
2,337 |
2,824 |
2,294 |
4,158 |
4,948* |
3,121* |
*provisional.
Of its nature, action to assist firms in difficulties is a sensitive task inevitably requiring a considerable degree of confidentiality. It involves consultation on a day-to-day basis between my Department and State agencies, notably the IDA, Fóir Teoranta and the ICC. The relevant State bodies now meet also on a regular basis to review and co-ordinate rescue efforts. The IDA offers appropriate assistance and services in close co-operation with Fóir Teoranta, which is the official rescue agency.
The severe effects of the international economic recession since 1979 is reflected in the table. In order to intensify efforts to assist firms in difficulty, the staff of the IDA Rescue Unit has been doubled in recent times.
"Rescue" arrangements are under continuous review to ensure that potential difficulties in firms come to attention as early as possible in order that timely remedial action can be considered. Officials of my Department are currently in discussion with the relevant agencies and bodies to explore the possibility of any further improvements in the present system of early warnings.