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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Mar 1986

Vol. 364 No. 9

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Designated Areas Study.

6.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied with the length of time it is taking to have the report and special study on designation completed; and if he envisages the inclusion of County Wexford as a designated area.

I have recently received the results of the study which was requested from the Economic and Social Research Institute on the changes which would result in relation to designation if the criteria recommended in the NESC report of December 1985 were to be applied.

The results of the ESRI study are currently being examined in my Department. No decision regarding changes in the designation of areas will be taken before this examination is completed and the matter is considered by the Government. I am not, therefore, in a postion to comment at this time regarding the possibility of County Wexford being declared a designated area.

In view of the NESC report which states that designation will be based on the special needs of an area, and in view of the high unemployment and economic problems in County Wexford, does the Minister consider that Wexford should be included for designation? The people of Wexford have been asking for the designation of Wexford for a number of years. Because Wexford has the highest unemployment rate in the country the Minister should consider Wexford to be in special need.

It would be premature for me to comment on what will eventually be a Government decision. I am aware of the high unemployment levels in County Wexford. Every deputation I meet from every other county presses upon me the need to have their counties designated. Designation itself is not a sine qua non of industrial development. I hope the policies of the Government in relation to industry as expressed in the Industrial Development Authority Bill and in the NDC Bill will be reflected in higher employment levels not only in Wexford but throughout the country.

Does the Minister go along with the general idea that the Government of the day will find it politically unpopular to follow up on this report because, if they shift designation from one area to another ——

That is speculation on a whole lot of things that have nothing to do with the question.

—— it will result in unemployment in some areas?

Every deputation believes that their area should be designated. We have had the matter examined by experts and are considering the matter to ensure that there is fair establishment of priorities in relation to designation. However, designation of itself is not a necessity for industrial progress.

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