asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he is aware of the impending loss of 620 jobs at the Semperit tyre factory in Ballyfermot, Dublin; if he is aware that job losses on this scale would be a grievous blow to an area where unemployment is already unacceptably high; if he will indicate the steps he intends to take to protect the jobs of the threatened workers and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Questions. - Ballyfermot (Dublin) Tyre Factory.
My Department and the Industrial Development Authority have been maintaining close touch with the company about its situation. Though its trading position has been rather difficult largely because of the recession, I am not aware that there is a threat of imminent closure. I am aware, however, that the company has requested State assistance to help it to improve its present competitive position and I understand that an application by it to Fóir Teoranta is at present under examination.
In view of the fact that within a two mile radius we already have had two major closures involving many redundancies in Ballyfermot, and the threatened closure of the whole car assembly industry, will the Minister state, in view of the possibility that the danger could be averted, if he intends to get in touch with the Austrian Government who have a 95 per cent stake in the company to ensure that it will continue operation in Ballyfermot?
It would be more appropriate for me to have discussions which the firm rather than with the Austrian Government. I have plans to have a discussion, which is no more than normal routine, as my predecessor had. The discussions will take place tomorrow. I understand the president of the company will be attending the company's annual general meeting on 11 May. I will be having discussions with them then and with the president of the company. If it emerges from these discussions that contact with the Austrian Government would be appropriate I will be prepared to consider doing so. However, at this point I do not see any indication that that is necessary.
Will the Minister state if this company already received State aid, and, if so, when?
I do not have information with me that this company received State aid, but I am fairly certain they have had in the recent past.
It is surprising that the Minister has not got such details with him.
The Deputy did not ask me for them.
I am asking the Minister if he does not consider that he should have such information with him if he is in negotiations with regard to the closure of the factory. He should know by now what IDA grant was given. Is he aware that one of the morning newspapers today reported that more than £4 million had been given since 1969 and that only a few months ago 120 workers were laid off, accompanied by the threat of closure, and that despite their laying off the threat of closure is still there? Would the Minister give the same courtesy to me and the other Deputies in the area as he said he would in regard to Dunlops — would he keep us up to date in regard to what is occurring?
Certainly I will. The number of redundancies was not 120 but 112. They occurred in February. I am aware that a substantial sum of money was made available by the Government to the firm but I would prefer not to go into that without having the figures. I am sure the Deputy will realise that in the short time since the Private Notice Question was put down it has not been possible to obtain all the information that one would normally get. Therefore, I do not feel any culpability in not having the information. I will obtain it for the Deputy and convey it to him.