asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the action he proposes to take to promote more effectively the craft industry in order to give employment, earn foreign currencies and ensure the retention of traditional crafts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Craft Industry.
44.
Mr. Leonard
Ireland has a well developed craft industry employing 2,500 people in full-time craft production, embracing pottery, rural crafts, gold and silver work, jewellery, musical instruments and hand-weaving. In 1982 the Industrial Development Authority and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company approved grant aid for a total of 110 craft projects, with the potential to create over 400 jobs.
The strength of the craft industry is evidenced by the achievement of £2.18 million sales of craft products at the recent Crafts Trade Fair in the RDS.
As part of the strategy to develop the industry craft centres have been provided by the IDA at Marley Park and Powers-court Townhouse in Dublin; Strokestown, County Roscommon; Roundstone, County Galway and by SFADCo at Ballycasey, County Clare. Further craft centres are being developed by the IDA in Donegal town, Pearse Street in Dublin and at the Shandon Butter Exchange in Cork.
In addition, the Crafts Council of Ireland, which is representative of craft interests and receives an annual subvention from the Exchequer, has established a post-graduate training centre at Kilworth, County Cork. This centre has been providing experience both in craft and business skills with AnCO training grant assistance for a number of graduates from the Cork Regional Technical College and the National College of Art and Design since January 1981.
Is the Minister aware that in recent years there has been no grant aided craft industry in the Border counties except in parts of Donegal and would he ask the small industries division of the IDA to take a particular interest in that area as there are funds available from the EEC non-quota sections?
I regret that I could not, without specific notice, answer the first part of the Deputy's question. However, I will draw it to the attention of the relevant authorities that these activities should be promoted in the Border counties and, in particular, his reference to available EEC funds for that purpose.
Could the Minister tell us the number of new jobs created in the craft industries which he mentioned had been established at Roundstone?
It would have been easier to answer if the Deputy had put down a question about specific industries. As the Deputy is aware, I have given an outline of the total number of jobs created in the industry but, as far as I can see, I do not have available to me at this moment a breakdown of the number of jobs involved as between specific industries. However, I would be happy to furnish the information to the Deputy, either by means of a letter or in response to a further question.