asked the Minister for Labour the numbers employed in the cement industry over the last five years in the Republic; the number of job losses, redundancies, early retirement etc.; and the reasons the level of employment in the industry has declined over this period of time.
Written Answers. - Cement Industry.
537.
The numbers employed in the cement industry have fallen from 1,055 in 1979 to approximately 800 at present. Information on the detailed breakdown of job losses in the industry sought by the Deputy is not available. Redundancy statistics relating to the cement industry are included under a broader category covering bricks, artificial building materials etc. The decline in the level of employment in the cement industry is primarily due to the reduction in the demand for cement and concrete products but increased imports of cement are also a factor.