asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he proposes to take to provide industrial employment in the Kenmare and Cahirciveen areas of County Kerry, having regard to the high level of emigration from these districts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Employment.
10.
(Limerick East): I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they are actively promoting seven industrial units in Cahirciveen ranging in size from 1,000 to 10,500 sq. ft. and two industrial sites in Kenmare of 1 acre and 11 acres for industrial purposes.
I should add that the IDA have a separate office in Tralee which concentrates exclusively on the promotion of County Kerry for suitable overseas projects and the development of a healthy small industries sector.
Is the Minister aware that the one-man IDA office in Tralee has neither power nor function? Does he know that the regional office in Cork cannot take a decision on any matter, that all decisions in relation to the setting up of industries or the grant-aiding of industries, big or small, must be taken in Dublin at the head office of the IDA or in consultation with the Department?
(Limerick East): I am not aware that the IDA office in Tralee is ineffective. It is very effective and has been, particularly in the Tralee area. I am not aware, either, that regional IDA offices in Cork or elsewhere are inhibited in the way the Deputy has suggested but, of course, there is a statutory procedure laid down whereby higher decisions in the first instance would be made by the board of the IDA, that if certain grant-in-aid sums are exceeded it must be referred to the Government by me, as the responsible Minister, and the Government must make decisions.
Will the Minister investigate my allegation, which is well founded, that the IDA regional office in Cork have no power to decide on any question, particularly in relation to grants?
That is repetition.
(Limerick East): I did not realise the Deputy was making an allegation.
You should be.
Will the Minister investigate my statement that the IDA office in Cork have very little power or function and all worthwhile decisions are taken by the head office in Dublin?
(Limerick East): The IDA office in Cork have exactly the same powers and functions as any other regional IDA office in the country.
I am not satisfied with the Minister's reply. Is he admitting that his Department and the IDA have done and are doing nothing to promote industrial employment in the Kenmare and Caherciveen areas of County Kerry?
(Limerick East): No.
It is obvious from the Minister's reply that all efforts have been failures.
The Deputy must confine himself to a question.
(Limerick East): Manutacturing employment in both Kenmare and Caherciveen increased in the period from 1981 to 1985 which is not what has happened elsewhere in the country as the Deputy is aware.
Tell that to local people.
Would the Minister Confirm that the Cork office do not have the final say in the matter of setting up industries, manufacturing or otherwise, and that the final decision must be made by the head office in Dublin?
(Limerick East): The final decision is laid down by statute. The Deputy should be well aware of the statutory obligations on my Department, on the Government and on the board of the IDA in relation to decision making on the level of grants required.
Despite the pronouncements which were made about regional boards having autonomy of their own accord the Minister has confirmed what we have always said——
That is a statement.
——that they do not have the power to make decisions.
(Limerick East): I can also confirm that the Second World War ended in 1945 but I do not think it is a very newsworthy item at present.
That is not very funny. It is still going on as far as we are concerned.