asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the total number of factory closures since January, 1983: the number of redundancies as a result of those closures; the cost to the Exchequer; the various companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Factory Closures.
664.
I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they are aware of the closure of 42 companies in the manufacturing sector between January and June 1983 with a loss of 3,646 jobs.
The calculation of the cost to the Exchequer of these closures would be administratively very complex and time consuming and the expenditure involved in compiling this information would not in my opinion by justified. The Deputy will appreciate that a large number of the cost factors involved, e.g. in the taxation and social welfare areas, are not within the scope of my responsibilities.
It is not clear exactly what the Deputy has in mind in his reference to the cost to the various companies involved but relevant information on this could be computed only by the industrial companies concerned, their financial advisers or auditors.