asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the steps he is taking to restore employment levels in manufacturing industry.
Written Answers. - Employment in Manufacturing Industry.
21.
The Government's White Paper on Industrial Policy, published last year, sets out the strategy for industrial development over the next decade. The main elements of this strategy are: (i) increasing emphasis to be placed on developing indigenous industry; (ii) greater interindustry linkages between foreign-owned and indigenous industry; (iii) the continued attraction of projects from overseas, particularly those projects performing key business functions; (iv) the creation of new small industries through the regionalisation of the IDA Small Industries Programme; and (v) a shift in State resources from fixed asset investment to technology and export marketing development.
The aim of this strategy is to promote a stronger industrial base which will lead to a growth in employment in industry and also, as a consequence, in the services sector.