Vol. 370 No. 5
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the very serious unemployment problem in Castleisland, County Kerry, he will ask the IDA to take urgent action to secure a suitable industry for the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
4.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the proposals his Department or the IDA have in regard to establishing new industries in North Kerry in view of serious unemployment in the area which is now above the national average.
(Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
I am aware of the level of unemployment in Castleisland and in North Kerry generally. I am informed by the Industrial Development Authority that they are actively promoting North Kerry as a suitable location for industrial development.
In 1985 14 small industry projects, two of which were located in Castleisland, were approved for North Kerry by the South-West Region Small Industries Board. These projects have the potential to provide 71 jobs, 11 of which will be in Castleisland and represent an investment of £490,800. So far this year, a further ten projects have been approved for North Kerry, including two in Castleisland. These projects represent total investment of £320,000 and the potential to create 46 new jobs, 22 of which will be located in Castleisland.
In medium-large industry the IDA support for three overseas companies in Tralee — Ridgeview Mills, Beru and Burlington Industries — and one in Listowel — Melchert Elektronik — will lead to the creation of 355 new jobs. In addition Kerry Co-op and their subsidiary Henry Denny and Sons increased employment by almost 200 in 1985.
The IDA are actively promoting their available factory space and nearly 700 acres of land in the North Kerry area for the full range of industries.
With regard to the number of recent closures of established firms in Castleisland, is the Minister satisfied that every effort is being made to provide alternative industry in that town?
(Limerick East): Yes. As I said, the IDA are actively promoting Castleisland in common with the rest of north Kerry. I am sure they will continue to be successful in the promotion of Castleisland. If we look at the figures for 1985, we will see there was no loss of jobs in manufacturing industry in Castleisland; there was an increase of one. In 1984 there was a decrease of five jobs over the whole year. Over the two years, 1984 and 1985, there was a decrease of four jobs in Castleisland.
The question relates to the unemployment problem in Castleisland. I am aware, and I am sure the Minister is also aware that a number of traditional firms have closed down in Castleisland. We are not talking about manufacturing industry in particular but also the service industry and supply services. There is a dearth of employment in Castleisland as a result of the closures of these traditional firms. I ask the Minister what proposals he has for the provision of employment to take up the slack that was caused by the closure of these firms.
(Limerick East): Both questions relate to manufacturing industry and inquire what the IDA are doing. The IDA have responsibility for manufacturing industry and not for other areas of employment. As I have said, the IDA are actively promoting the Kerry region. There is a full-time executive in Tralee who is actively promoting all towns in north Kerry.
I appeal to Deputies to please refrain from long preambles to supplementary questions.
